With the general election still more than four months away, this was the first time a presidential candidate has stopped in New Mexico this election season.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — With the general election still more than four months away, a presidential candidate has made a stop in New Mexico for the first time this election cycle.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was in Albuquerque over the weekend for the premiere of the documentary “Recovering America,” which focuses on drug addiction and abuse.
“I wanted to go to New Mexico because it's the epicenter of our country's overdose and drug addiction problem, so it was the perfect place to show the film,” Kennedy said.
In Albuquerque alone, New Mexico health officials report that about 125,000 people report using illegal drugs, but there are currently only 60 drug rehabilitation centers to help them.
According to border authorities, around 550,000 pounds of drugs were seized at the border last year alone.
Kennedy says border cities are paying the price.
“I've been to the border many times and I've seen it's a humanitarian crisis and the people who come across the border are traumatized. They've been robbed, exploited and extorted by drug cartels. And yet they come into this country and can't work legally. They're given an asylum date of seven years,” Kennedy said.
Two other New Mexicans also appeared on the panel with Kennedy to share their stories of recovery, including Fernando Ruiz, a chef from Santa Fe who turned his life around after a stint dealing drugs in prison and now serves up award-winning cuisine in the kitchen at his restaurant, Escondido.
And then there's Ralph Martinez, who opened the first homeless shelter in Española and was once homeless himself.
Heart of New Mexico put the spotlight on Ruiz and Martinez and how they want to give back to their community.
“It all starts with a discussion, and I'm honored to be a part of that discussion,” Martinez said.
Kennedy is trying to get his petition on the ballot in New Mexico, where he says he has collected more than 6,000 signatures, well above the threshold needed to meet the June 27 deadline, and he has confidence in New Mexico voters.
“We want to win New Mexico, we have very strong support from Hispanic voters there, we also have very strong support from Native American and Indian voters who make up a large portion of the population of New Mexico,” Kennedy said.
It's unclear whether President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump will stop in New Mexico.