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NELLA'S COMMONSENSE SOLUTIONS
"New Mexico deserves a leader who shows up with solutions." - Nella Domenici
Securing Our Border
We are a country of immigrants. We are also a country of laws. Martin Heinrich voted against even debating bipartisan immigration reform in the Senate. He opposed a proposal that included billions for border security. With the backing of Senator Heinrich, President Biden used Executive Orders to open our border and invited lawlessness as millions of illegal immigrants have flowed into our country. They have created a border crisis, a humanitarian crisis, a crime crisis, a drug crisis, and a national security threat.
New Mexico is on the front lines of America’s biggest problem.
While Arizona and Texas have reinforced their borders, New Mexico’s borders have weak barriers and miles with no barriers at all. New Mexico’s border is the most open in the United States; we make the whole country vulnerable.
Nella’s grandparents immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island and opened a grocery store in New Mexico. That is the American Dream.
We need immigrants to grow as a nation. But open border policies have created mayhem at our borders and in our cities. We must immediately secure our border. We must adequately fund the Border Patrol. We must erect physical barriers and provide the Border Patrol with the state of the art equipment and technology. We must reinstate “Remain in Mexico,” end catch and release, and end the abuse of the asylum process. As a nation of immigrants, we understand the contributions and value of immigration. But immigrants must follow our laws and the legal immigration process.
Unleashing American Energy
Energy in America should be reliable, affordable, and enable American energy independence. New Mexico is well-positioned to emerge as the leader in all types of energy. Nella will support an all-of-the-above approach to energy, while ensuring that the transition to renewable energy is sensible, orderly and achievable. This approach guarantees a strong economy for New Mexico. Ultimately, Nella is focused on bringing down the cost of energy for the average New Mexican, including heating and cooling homes and reducing the cost of filling your car at the gas station.
Today, oil and gas is the economic engine of the state and contributes to the affordability and reliability of energy. The industry provides more than 134,000 good- paying jobs in New Mexico. The industry has generated record levels of funding for the New Mexico state and local governments. This year, oil and gas paid for 50 percent of the state’s budget, contributing significantly to public education in the state.
Energy security is critical to our national security; it is far cleaner, safer, and cheaper to utilize the energy resources we have at home. New Mexico is leading the way to energy independence and the national security that it provides. It is inexplicable that Martin Heinrich is doing everything he can to destroy our oil and gas industry.
Together with Joe Biden, they have blocked new leases on New Mexico’s federal lands, increased royalty payments, and passed never-ending regulations that impose costly compliance. Biden and the radical left would rather beg for oil from dictators with terrible environmental records and egregious human rights violations, as well as an anti-America agenda than support our domestic oil and gas industry. Heinrich wants mandates on what kind of appliances you can buy and cars you can drive. To exemplify his fiscal irresponsibility, he wants to spend trillions of taxpayer dollars for his fanciful green agenda.
Stopping Crime in its Tracks
Under Martin Heinrich’s dangerous, naive policies, New Mexico is a great place to be a criminal. Under Nella Domenici’s leadership, it will be the worst place to be a criminal. Safety is imperative for the well-being of New Mexicans. Heinrich and the radical left have failed to protect its citizens. Forbes named New Mexico “the most dangerous state” in the country. New Mexico has skyrocketing homicides, assaults, and carjackings. Fentanyl, other drugs, and alcohol are killing New Mexicans daily. As a mother, Nella understands the fear parents feel every time their children leave the house.
In his 20-plus years in Washington, Heinrich has repeatedly undermined the rule of law, undermined our police, and supported soft-on-crime prosecutions and bail laws. Heinrich has even marched in Washington with anti-police organizations. Heinrich has been standing by while the Department of Justice has kneecapped the Albuquerque Police Department and drained its resources, making it easier for human and drug traffickers and deadly cartels to operate with impunity in our state. Heinrich has made it easier to be a criminal than a cop; that should never be the case.
Nella will back law enforcement, making sure they have the support and resources they need to be successful. She will also seek justice through interventions before crimes occur by addressing addiction, mental health, poor education, and economic factors that can lead to crime. She will also support measures to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism rates.
A compassionate approach to reducing abortion and increasing access to birth control
Nella believes abortion should be safe, legal, and most importantly rare. She opposes any federal abortion ban. As a state, New Mexico has decided this issue. She will abide
by the state’s decision. Like most Americans, Nella wants to see fewer abortions, not more. The best way to reduce abortions is to reduce unintended pregnancies through
better usage of birth control and education. Nella approaches the issue with compassion.
All women should be trusted, respected, and supported. Babies should be wanted and loved. And men should live up to their responsibilities. New Mexicans expect us to approach important issues like this with a deep understanding and empathy.
While Nella is focused on supporting women and preventing unwanted pregnancies to reduce abortions meaningfully, Martin Heinrich has consistently voted to allow abortions up to the moment of birth at taxpayer expense - even opposing legislation requiring life-saving care to be provided to a baby who survives an abortion. His views are extreme on this issue. Nella believes we must cherish life and knows women’s decisions must be respected. Heinrich wants to use this extremely personal and critical women’s issue to divide our country and exploit it for votes.
Combating the Rising Cost of Living
Do with less, or do without is the Biden/Heinrich economic ultimatum. Inflation impacts New Mexicans more than most Americans. Almost everything costs more here than the national average. We are the 6th most expensive state for groceries!
Wages are lower in New Mexico than in most states, so increased costs harm us significantly more. The median income for the average household in New Mexico is $50,822 per year – the third lowest income in the country. We are only above Arkansas and Mississippi and we are below Louisiana and West Virginia. After taxes, the average New Mexico household lives off $3,671 per month. And 17.6% of overall New Mexicans live in poverty, while 23.5% of New Mexicans under 18 live in poverty. Unequivocally, inflation hurts New Mexicans more than nearly all other states.
The Biden/Heinrich’s out-of-control federal spending and over-regulation are to blame for the 22.2% increase in cost of essentials since Biden took office in January 2021.
Eggs are up 43.5 percent
Breakfast Cereal up 24.3 percent
Frozen vegetables up 29.4%
Baby formula up 30%
Pet food up 23.1 percent
Inflation on housing and high interest rates have made homeownership out of reach for many New Mexicans. Mortgage rates averaged 2.73% in 2021. The rate is now closer to 7%. A mortgage payment on the same house soared from $1,535 per month to $3,098. For renters in Albuquerque, average rent has increased $400 per month.
Compared to January 2021, the typical New Mexican household spends:
$131 more on food every month;
$235 more on shelter every month;
$140 more on energy every month; and
$294 more on transportation every month.
Struggling to pay for the increased costs on a fixed paycheck is the reason credit card debt is at an all-time high.
The dramatic increase in cost of living is tied directly to the Biden/Heinrich $3.8 trillion spending spree that began in March of 2021:
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American Rescue Plan (ARPA) – $1.9 trillion – As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Martin Heinrich rubber stamped the decadent Democratic ARPA spending that flooded our economy with borrowed money.
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Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – $1 trillion – The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funded many Biden/Heinrich “green” initiatives, including $7.5 billion to build a network of electric vehicle charging stations across the U.S. Two and a half years later a reported seven stations have been built.
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Inflation Reduction Act – $891 billion – In a final act of partisan indulgence, Heinrich and the Democrats in Congress passed the ironically titled “Inflation Reduction Act” – continuing the radical climate change agenda.
To place the blame squarely where it belongs, Martin Heinrich is the chair of the bi-partisan Joint Economic Committee, which reviews economic conditions and proposes economic policy improvements. Yet, as chair, he has had no recommendations for fighting inflation. Instead, he supported President Biden’s radical economic policies – policies that harm New Mexico.
Unlike Martin Heinrich who believes that spending taxpayer dollars is the solution to every problem, Nella, a highly regarded financial executive, will support fiscal responsibility in Congress. She will protect taxpayers from wasteful spending. She will protect Social Security and Medicare. She will use oversight authority to eliminate fraud and abuse in government programs. She will prioritize policies that will drive sustained economic growth of our economy, especially by unleashing America energy.
Rehabilitating New Mexico's Failed Education System
Education is the social justice issue of our time, and the biggest issue facing our state. There is something terribly wrong when the New Mexico Secretary of Education, Arsenio Romero is quoted: “Our Legislature, our governor has given over $1 billion over the last year in new monies for education, and there has been little to no return of investment.”
We are failing from top to bottom, beginning to end. From kindergarten through 3rd grade, students learn reading and math, but that is not happening.
The 2022 national education scorecard ranked New Mexico:
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51st in 4th Grade Reading – 21% proficient or above
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51st in 4th Grade Math – 19% proficient or above
From 3rd grade for the rest of their lives, students read in order to learn. Without basic literacy, our students are doomed to deficiency in all subjects including critically important math and science.
The 2022 national education scorecard ranked New Mexico:
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51st in 8th Grade Reading – 18% proficient or above
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51st in 8th Grade Math – 13% proficient or above
Year after year, New Mexico ranks dead last in the nation (or close to it) in K-12 education.
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We have the worst dropout rate in the U.S. – 8.51% dropout rate
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We have the lowest graduation rate in the U.S. – 76% graduate on time
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We have the third worst chronic absenteeism at nearly 40%
The utter failure of too many of our public schools is the biggest impediment threatening our future. Our system is a one-size-fit-all, but it fits too few. At a minimum, to improve, our system needs competition, options, and transparency.
Faced with this crisis, Martin Heinrich has had twenty years to be a reformer, but instead, he does not put the students first. His record is baffling:
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a plan to add one bilingual literacy teacher at each school, and,
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to issue a press release in support of a partisan, union-backed bill which creates teacher tax credits.
Nella understands that a quality education is a requisite to a healthy and fulfilling life and to secure good jobs and financial security. An educated workforce will enable New Mexico’s economy to thrive.
Nella believes parents and children should have options for their education including magnet and charter public schools, private schools and homeschools.
Nella, her husband Pat, and a group of bipartisan New Mexico leaders founded Excellent Schools New Mexico (ESNM). These public charter schools, in mostly underserved areas, outperform the district public schools in reading, and math. Freed from bureaucracy and authorized to enact their own vision for teaching math, reading, writing and other subjects, our leaders recruit and train their teachers, and supervise more in-class hours through the school year.
As a concerned New Mexican/U.S. Senator, Nella will continue to support aggressive improvement and be a voice for our students.
While New Mexico has some vocational schools, our state needs significantly more vocational training customized for our changing workforce needs. Nella will make vocational education an option for students who want to prepare for a career in a trade. Vocational classes can be offered in our high schools in partnership with our community and technical colleges. These options can motivate students uninterested in traditional subjects and will provide critical skilled workers for New Mexico’s economy.
Nella will engage with educators, and empower parents. She will work to bring competition, transparency, and innovation into all New Mexico’s schools, so all children will have an opportunity to succeed.
Standing with Israel
Henry Kissinger said it well: “The security of Israel is a moral imperative for all free people.” In 2024, the authoritarian regimes in Iran, China, Russia, North Korea and elsewhere are increasingly emboldened and threatening peace-loving democracies.
Nella unequivocally supports Israel and the longstanding U.S. policy recognizing Israel’s right to exist and its right to self-defense.
Israel was brutally attacked on October 7 and has the right to defend itself. The atrocities against Israeli women and children and the ensuing war have shattered any credible possibility of a two-state solution.
Hamas is a terrorist group and a proxy for Iran. Its leadership is committed to “wiping Israel off the face of the earth,” and “Death to America.” Recently, a Hamas spokesperson called for “violent acts against American and British interests everywhere.” Hamas’ strategy has been and continues to be aberrationaly inhumane. Hamas must be destroyed as quickly as possible. The hostages must be freed.
The United States-Israeli partnership has been built on mutual interests and shared democratic values. Israelis and Americans are bound by history, religious values, societal ties, and culture. Our two countries are united by our commitment to democracy, economic prosperity, and regional security in an increasingly volatile part of the world.
Our alliance is a partnership that reinforces America’s strategic interests at a time when there are growing threats to America and Israel. Israel is the sole staunchly pro-Western bulwark of international law and our most dependable ally in the region.
Despite the importance of Israel to America, Martin Heinrich has an extremely anti-Israel record as exemplified below.
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He voted for Bernie Sanders’ resolution requesting information on Israel’s human rights practices—a position that could have jeopardized Israel military aid and operations, potentially freezing military aid to Israel when it is at war with the terrorist group Hamas. (2024)
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He co-authored letters with Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders to President Biden and Secretary Blinken that raise concerns about humanitarian conditions of the Palestinians, but expresses no concern for the Israeli and American hostages that Hamas has held since October 7. (2023)
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He supports the 2-state solution. (2017)
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He opposed the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem. (2017)
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He supported the 2016 UN Security Council Resolution 2334 which would have threatened the legitimacy of the state of Israel and its settlements. (2016)
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He supported the Iran Nuclear deal. (2015)
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He voted to allow Iran to access over $100 billion in foreign assets. (2015)
The Israel-Hamas war is as much ours as it is Israel’s. It is a conflict for democratic American values and against authoritarian Iranian values and influence—two opposing worldviews for the region.
Nella is on the side of our ally, Israel. Martin Heinrich’s record shows that he is not.
Defending the Second Amendment
Nella supports the Second Amendment and the right of law-abiding citizens to “keep and bear arms.” Nella will oppose unconstitutional federal legislation that violates the Second Amendment. In stark contrast, Martin Heinrich has sponsored unconstitutional legislation that would take away the rights of hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans to purchase and own many common firearms used for self-defense, hunting, sport shooting, or collecting. Nella understands that gun ownership is not the problem.
The radical left has created a state riddled with poor education, weak economy, and abundant drugs leading to criminal violence and a wide open border that invites violent crime. Martin Heinrich, the Governor, and the extreme progressives in Santa Fe and Washington, DC refuse to address the true causes of violence.
In New Mexico, this is not a partisan issue. In the New Mexico Legislature this year, Democratic lawmakers joined with the Republicans to stop the most aggressive anti-gun proposals. A bipartisan coalition in the New Mexico Legislature came together to defeat eight radical proposals that would restrict gun ownership in our state. Among those defeated bills was a state gun ban (HB137) nearly identical to Martin Heinrich’s proposed federal gun ban. Nella will oppose gun bans, like Heinrich’s, and support New Mexicans’ Constitutional rights.
Nella supports enforcing our criminal laws so that violent offenders understand they will face dire consequences for harming others. Our efforts to stop violence should be focused on gangs and cartels in cities where most homicides occur. In addition to enforcement, we can mitigate the underlying causes of violence by reducing drug addiction and improving our education system and job opportunities. Nella supports intervention for at-risk youth before violence occurs and evidence-based strategies that engage communities and help stop the escalation of conflicts before they lead to violence.
Every untimely death is a tragedy. Suicides surpassed 50,000 for the first time in 2023. Guns were used in about half of these suicides, which also accounts for more than half of all gun-related deaths in the U.S. Deaths caused by suicide, alcohol abuse, and drug overdoses are evidence of an epidemic of hopelessness, desperation, and despair. Nella will prioritize solutions to address the causes of the mental health crisis affecting millions of Americans.
