N.M. Republican governor hopefuls trade jabs on missing debates
The race for the Republican nomination for governor is heating up with several candidates accusing one of the front-runners — former longtime TV weatherman Mark Ronchetti — of being a no-show at candidate forums. They say Ronchetti’s absence makes it difficult for voters to compare and contrast their choices before the June primary.
Jay Block, a Sandoval County commissioner and retired Air Force officer, said some voters have questioned whether Ronchetti is afraid to get on the stage with his rivals. “I’ve answered every question that’s been put toward me from the people at these forums, and I’ll continue to go to them because they’re important, but you’d have to ask Mr. Ronchetti if he’s afraid of something or not,” he said. “I just don’t know.”
Ronchetti “obviously has a different strategy,” said Greg Zanetti, an investment adviser.
“I don’t understand why he wouldn’t want to spend more time in front of the voters and do it on a face-to-face basis,” he said. The next candidate forum is Saturday, but only three candidates — Block, Maharg and Zanetti — are scheduled to attend.
Mark Ronchetti
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