Jay Block said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s first term leading the state was a “complete failure,” as he pointed to a struggling economy and what Block believed was a tenuous response to the COVID-19 health crisis.
A military veteran and Sandoval County commissioner, Block, was seeking the Republican Party’s nomination to challenge Lujan Grisham in November in the gubernatorial election.
He espoused “conservative” values along the campaign trail, critical of Lujan Grisham and her administration for policy Block said stymied local business and proved divisive while catering to special interests.
He said Lujan Grisham “shut down” New Mexico’s economy when COVID-19 hit the state in 2020 and restrictions were placed on businesses like indoor restaurants and concert venues – places where large gatherings occur.
The governor’s response was like many other states across the U.S. as they attempted to limit in-person contact to slow the spread of the deadly virus, drawing criticism from political opponents like Block of established state leadership.
Another sticking point for Block were increased environmental regulations on oil and gas extraction imposed by the current administration, which he said impeded New Mexico’s fossil fuel industry – a sector that makes up about a third of the state’s budget.
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