Michelle Lujan-Grisham is the last congressional candidate that I interviewed for the NM-01 district. The fourth candidate, Robert Pidcock has not replied to my request for a formal interview. Must have been something I said.Oops! But back to Michelle Lujan-Grisham, I found her to be a very easy person to get along with in person. I think both of the women in this campaign want to do good work for our community. Both women candidates in this campaign have been single mothers so they have experienced the difficulties that a good number of women in this state face on an everyday bases. Both bring a sincere knowledge of the difficulties of being a single mother with them to the campaign and would also take it to Washington. We can not and should not write off Martin Heinrich. He may not be a single parent but he is a father with two small children and also knows the issues that face parents everyday in this city. I think that the voting public should look carefully at each candidate and then base a decision like I have on a fair knowledge of all of the candidates. Each interview has a link to their website so voters can view their stands on the issues that face New Mexicans everyday. We in the Democratic Party are lucky to have candidates who care running for this seat.The Interview:
Do you have a campaign website or some way for people to contact you if they are interested in volunteering for your campaign?
http://www.michelleforcongress.com/
Tell us about your family. Michelle Lujan Grisham is a 12th generation Hispanic New Mexican who grew up in Santa Fe and graduated from St. Michael's High School. She is a widow with two daughters and has resided in Albuquerque since 1978. He daughters are now 23 and 21. She has been a single Hispanic parent in Albuquerque. She was an active parent in her daughters’ education on the local level. She still speaks well of her late husband.
Where did you get your education and why did you decide to work here in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
1983-1987 University of New Mexico Law School, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Graduation – May 1987,
Passed New Mexico Bar – July 1987, Sworn in – October 1987
1977-1981 University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, NM
Bachelor of University Studies – 1981 (Engineering Dept. endorsed transcripts for engineering relevance) Major: Energy Engineering, Minor: Public Administration
What is your career history?
CABINET SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, Santa Fe, NM - August 2004 to June 2007
CABINET SECRETARY, AGING & LONG-TERM SERVICES DEPARTMENT, Santa Fe, NM – February 2004 to August 2004
DIRECTOR, STATE AGENCY ON AGING, Santa Fe, NM - February 1991 to August 2004
DIRECTOR, LAWYER REFERRAL FOR THE ELDERLY PROGRAM, STATE BAR OF NEW MEXICO, Albuquerque, NM - November 1988 to February 1991
STAFF ATTORNEY, LAWYER REFERRAL FOR THE ELDERLY, STATE BAR OF NEW MEXICO, Albuquerque, NM - January 1988 to August 1988
LEGAL ASSISTANT, UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO, LEGAL DEPARTMENT, Albuquerque, NM – April 1987 to December 1987
LAW CLERK, MODRALL, SPERLING, ROEHL, HARRIS & SISK, P.A., Albuquerque, NM – February 1984 to March 1987
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS SPECIALIST, UNIVERSITY OF N.M. LAW SCHOOL, Albuquerque, NM - August 1985 to May 1986
LAW CLERK, GRISHAM AND LAWLESS, P.A., Albuquerque, NM - May 1984 to August 1985
ASSOCIATE STAFF ASSISTANT, WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC ADVANCED ENERGY SYSTEMS DIVISION, Albuquerque, NM - August 1981 to May 1983
Tell us the experience and qualities you think would make you a good Congresswoman. Michelle Lujan-Grisham has worked for the Governor’s of this state as the director of New Mexico State Agency on Aging and as a cabinet secretary of the department of health. She has taken people home with her in order to help them. Her major goal and passion is constituent services to New Mexicans.
What is the biggest issue(s) facing woman here in New Mexico and how would you resolve it if given the opportunity? For Michelle healthcare and support services are the major issues facing women in New Mexico. She has put together a team of people who work to address any issues that come up with voters she is talking to so that they can get service now rather then later. She said that there is just no way that she can listen to a person's problems and simple walk away with out trying to help that individual.
Will you stay away from negative ads during the last few hours of the campaign? Michelle Lujan-Grisham like any good lawyer told me that all of the candidates have very close stands on the issues and that she is trying very hard to draw or make a distinction between herself and the other three candidates. To that end she has admitted that there will be some very few remarks about the other candidates in her last minute ads but she will also point out what her stands are on the issues. I personal think that the one thing that sets her apart from the other candidates is her dedication to quality constituent services.
