ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Democratic and Republican candidates for governor of New Mexico are offering contrasting visions for changing the state's labor and business climate at a public forum.
Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce said Monday that businesses are showing an interest in expanding to counties in New Mexico that want to limit compulsory union fees by ordinance. Pearce praised right-to-work reforms as a way to give workers greater choice.
Rival Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham described right-to-work reform as a divisive, partisan issue that doesn't address the state's economic challenges.
New Mexico's Democratic-led Legislature has consistently defeated proposals to outlaw compulsory fees for workers who decide not to belong to a union.
The winner of the November gubernatorial election will succeed Republican New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez.