2022 ABQ Journal Questions New Mexico Governor Candidates on CYFD
The Albuquerque Journal asked both future Governor candidates the following question:
The state agency tasked with keeping New Mexico children safe has faced recent scrutiny over transparency issues and its handling of high-profile child abuse cases. What changes would you support to improve the operations of the Children, Youth and Families Department?
The candidate answers as provided to the Journal, are below. All answers in original format are posted here.
Q&A: Governor candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham
BY THE CANDIDATE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2022 AT 9:47PM
Governor candidate Michelle Lujan Grisham. (Courtesy Michelle Lujan Grisham)
NAME: Michelle Lujan Grisham
POLITICAL PARTY: Democratic
OCCUPATION: Governor
CITY OF RESIDENCE: Santa Fe
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Current governor, former member of Congress, county commissioner, and state Cabinet secretary
EDUCATION: B.A. and J.D. from the University of New Mexico
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: newmexicansformichelle.com
6. The state agency tasked with keeping New Mexico children safe has faced recent scrutiny over transparency issues and its handling of high-profile child abuse cases. What changes would you support to improve the operations of the Children, Youth and Families Department?
Protecting New Mexico’s children is critical. After years of underfunding and neglect, CYFD is taking steps to improve the services they provide in my administration — but more must be done. That includes increasing accountability, improving reporting procedures, and recruiting more caseworkers to reduce caseload.
Q&A: Governor candidate Mark Ronchetti
BY THE CANDIDATE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH, 2022 AT 9:47PM
Governor candidate Mark Ronchetti. (Courtesy Mark Ronchetti)
NAME: Mark V Ronchetti
POLITICAL PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: Former chief meteorologist
CITY OF RESIDENCE: Albuquerque
RELEVANT EXPERIENCE: Meteorologist, dad, husband, not a politician
EDUCATION: Undergraduate: Washington State University; meteorology: Mississippi State
CAMPAIGN WEBSITE: MarkRonchetti.com
6. The state agency tasked with keeping New Mexico children safe has faced recent scrutiny over transparency issues and its handling of high-profile child abuse cases. What changes would you support to improve the operations of the Children, Youth and Families Department?
Michelle Lujan Grisham said she was “uniquely qualified” to reform CYFD. She was wrong, with tragic results. We need to put child safety first, create a Child Protection Division in the Department of Public Safety, and have a zero-tolerance policy for child abuse. We need an independent watchdog and drug treatment options.
