Skip to main content

Will Martinez and King debate action on climate change? Update: VICTORY!

By October 15, 2014September 29th, 2022Public Lands, Water & Wildlife, Climate & Energy

Between the mud-slinging and campaign finance reports this election, the real issues New Mexicans face aren’t getting the attention they deserve in the governor’s race.
When Gov. Martinez and Attorney General Gary King debate live on KOAT-TV on Oct. 19, they’ll answer questions from a panel of journalists. But will voters learn where the candidates stand on serious issues like clean air, safe water and climate change?
That’s up to you. We have a plan to make sure that protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink is at the top of the issues list this election, but we need your help.
We know from experience that the news media will respond if enough of us take action. Last year, when over 500 CVNM members and supporters signed a petition urging the Albuquerque Journal to report on conservation issues, the paper responded – publishing a news article about CVNM’s Conservation Scorecard. Now, to ensure our issues are included in the upcoming gubernatorial debate, we need you to contact the debate moderators!
Will you sign our petition calling on the panel of journalists at KOAT’s gubernatorial debate to ask Gov. Martinez and King about taking action to ensure our air, land and water are protected?>>
As a New Mexican, you see the effects of climate change on a daily basis. The extended drought threatens the very livelihood of our communities, families and economy. Erratic wildfires, fueled by climate change, have resulted in catastrophic damage and loss of life and property. We’re ready for action and we need state leaders who will advance policies to curb climate-change-inducing carbon emissions that will better prepare us for increasing climate impacts; and promote job creation in the growing market for clean and more efficient energy technologies.
Tens of thousands of voters will get their information about the candidates for governor by watching the televised debates this month. It’s time that clean air and water are discussed by our state’s leaders with the gravity these critical issues deserve. Sign our petition urging the panel of reporters to ask Gov. Martinez and King about taking action on climate change for New Mexico.>>
We know that protecting the health of our communities and environment is important to New Mexicans across the entire political spectrum – but that same commitment is not reflected by our elected officials. Now’s the time for us to demand that clean air and water become more than fodder for partisan squabbles. Sign the petition.>>

Update:

Together, we were successful!
More than 550 CVNM members and supporters signed our petition asking the debate panel of journalists to ask the candidates for governor where they stand on clean air, safe water and climate change in the last, live debate before the general election. And they did!
Were you watching Sunday’s debate on KOAT or reading the Santa Fe New Mexican last week? Thanks to you, our plan to make sure that protecting the air we breathe and the water we drink is at the top of the issues list this election is working.
We know that protecting the health of our communities and environment is important to New Mexicans across the entire political spectrum – but that same commitment is not reflected by our elected officials. Now’s the time for us to demand that clean air and water become more than fodder for partisan squabbles.
The strongest way to make a change is to get out and vote – and get five of your friends to vote.


Matlock, Staci, “Martinez and King sharply divided on environment,” Santa Fe New Mexican. October 16, 2014, A1