Michael Ray Huerta Running for Mayor

06.27.11 (LAS CRUCES) -- Councilor Dolores Connor announced earlier this year she's running for mayor of Las Cruces. Now, there's a second candidate entering the race and he vows to focus on fiscal accountability.

"Through a lot of reflection and mediation and prayer, and talking to leaders in the community I decided it was the right time for someone like me to run," said Michael Ray Huerta, who with a click of a mouse announced his candidacy for mayor of the City of Las Cruces via Facebook last Sunday night.

"I've been humbled by the response that I've been receiving by not only young people by senior citizens, Democrats, Republicans, Tea Party Republicans, progressive Democrats," he said.

Huerta is 25-years-old and following in the footsteps of other young political candidates. Luke Ravenstahl became mayor of Pittsburgh at the age of 26 and Illinois Congressman, Aaron Schock is the first United States Representative born in the 1980's.

"This election is not about age. This election is about experience and its not just about experience its about the right experience. The right experience to move Las Cruces forward," he said.

In 2004, Huerta worked as the deputy field director for Congressman Steve Pearce. He later became press secretary for former Congressman Harry Teague and worked in several leadership capacities with Senator Hillary Clinton.

"The mayor has a unique opportunity to be the chief advocate, the chief spokesperson, lobbyist and cheerleader for the City of Las Cruces. If those are the qualifications, if you need someone to be the chief spokesperson of this city to articulate our values, our visions and where we're headed I'm better than any other candidate running and I'm more qualified than any other candidates running," he said.

Keeping city officials fiscally accountable is on his list of priorities. Huerta wants to reverse the pay raise implemented four years ago, which gives city leaders a 10 to 15 percent, increase in pay.

"In this 21st century economy, the old ways of doing things isn't going to work and it's not working what we need right now is innovation and leadership that's not afraid of innovative ideas of innovative thinking and innovative outreach," said Huerta.

Current mayor, Ken Miyagishima has not officially announced his candidacy, but has been public about the possibility of seeking re-election.

Reported by Carlos Correa.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• carlos
• correa
• krwg
• news
• las
• cruces
• new
• mexico
• state
• university
• npr
• pbs
• 90.7
• fm
• michael
• ray
• huerta
• running
• for
• mayor
• gay
• political
• candidates
• fundraising
• money
• economy
• education
• mesilla
• dolores
• connor
• ken
• miyagishima
• elections
• november

[ArizonaSean]

Go Michael!!!!!! Listen to this guy, he is smart and on the ball.

[tedlovesmathcomplex]

This guy, cant even return a phone call and or emails. The he has the guts to email me to donate him 10bucks..yeah right . Hey if you cant even return phone calles to your voters, why would I elect you. How can you have tea party tea members if your a liberal? hmmmm u lie

[troofaq8ya3sl]

love you michael :)