The Republican Party of New Mexico is extremely serious about our mission: “TURN NEW MEXICO RED IN 2020”.

I have never seen such an exciting group of candidates as we are placing on the ballot for the June Primary. They are more diverse than we have ever had, they have a greater breadth of experience and demonstrate the resolve needed for a Republican to win in New Mexico.

Yesterday, the Albuquerque Journal published an article in which they state:

Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld has been denied a spot on the New Mexico Republican primary ballot in June.

And one state resident is raising questions about whether the state’s presidential nominating committee is following the law in denying him the right to challenge President Donald Trump.

Our response quoted in the article was as follows:

“Only one campaign has demonstrated a desire or capability to compete in the New Mexico Republican Primary election for President,” the state Republican Party said in a statement.

The RPNM attorney, Carter Harrison, issued the following opinion:

“The committee is supposed to put forward “the names of all those generally advocated and nationally recognized or supported by any major political party in the state,” and the statute is pretty clearly written to make the folks on the committee the ultimate authority on whether a candidate meets that criterion.  NMSA 1978, § 1-15A-5.”

Neither former governor Weld nor any of his campaign staff contacted RPNM, any of its officers or staff about his plans to win in New Mexico. He has no visible campaign staff or effort in the state.

I saw the letter that Mr. Weld sent to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. It was curious that he did not send that letter to RPNM or make any attempt to communicate with the state party on his intentions. The Supreme Court does not nominate the candidates. The parties do.

Even though I do not doubt the sincerity of Mr. Weld, it takes more than sincerity to win an election. It takes hard work and resources. He may have those but he is not directing any of those to win in New Mexico. There is no justification for his being on the ballot in this state.

The only candidate who is making visible efforts to win the state is Donald J. Trump. The Trump team has field offices, field staff, a state director. They have engaged in phone banks, door knocking, candidate registration and neighborhood training.

So that is the only name that I nominated to be on the ballot.

As a matter of law, the New Mexico Presidential Primary Nomination Committee, a bi-partisan committee, not under the control of any party, has concluded its work, verifying that President Trump will be our sole candidate in the Republican Primary election for President.

He is going to lead an organized and well-funded effort that will “Turn New Mexico Red” in November. He will defeat the eventual Democrat Presidential nominee and with his continued leadership our great state and nation will continue to prosper.