Biden stumps for Lujan Grisham, says abortion rights will 'go away' if Ronchetti wins

Nov. 4—ALBUQUERQUE — President Joe Biden warned Thursday that abortion access is at stake in New Mexico in the hotly contested governor's race between incumbent Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and her Republican challenger, former TV weatherman Mark Ronchetti.

"If Michelle's opponent wins, the right to choose here in New Mexico is going to go away," Biden said during a get-out-the-vote rally that organizers said drew about 1,200 people.

"And if the Republicans gain control of the Congress and pass a nationwide ban as the senator from South Carolina wants to do ... I will veto it," he added, referencing a bill U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has proposed that would ban abortion after 15 weeks. "But if we elect more Senate Democrats and keep control of the House, we're going to be able to codify Roe v. Wade as the law of the land."

Abortion has become one of the key campaign issues in the race between Lujan Grisham, a staunch abortion rights supporter, and Ronchetti, who has advocated for a ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, except in cases of rape, incest and when a mother's life is at risk.

Biden, who was in New Mexico to campaign on behalf of Lujan Grisham in a tight race for reelection as well as for other state Democrats seeking public office in Tuesday's midterm election, reiterated his message that "democracy is on the ballot this year in America.

"Literally on the ballot, folks," he said. "You know, you have over 350 Republican candidates for everything from state auditor all the way to secretary of state to governor who are election deniers, who say that they in fact do not believe the last election was fair."

Biden called the midterm "the most important election of our lifetime," saying it will "shape what the next two generations look like.

"This is a choice ... between two vastly different visions of America," he said.

Thursday's visit marked the second time Biden has traveled to New Mexico this year. He flew into the state in June for a briefing on the state's wildfires.

While the president headlined the political rally, other speakers included the governor, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján and U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury.

The campaign event was held at the Ted M. Gallegos Community Center in southwest Albuquerque, now part of the newly redrawn 2nd Congressional District, which Democrats hope to flip back to blue. The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, who is facing a challenge from Democrat Gabe Vasquez, who did not attend the event but whose candidacy was a regular rallying point.

"Now we have a great shot at electing [Vasquez] to Congress for the 2nd District," Biden said.

The president came to the state to campaign for Democrats up and down the ballot, but the state party's standard-bearer was top of mind.

"I tell you what, that governor, she's something else, isn't she?" he said to cheers and applause. "She talks about being the shortest governor. She's the tallest governor I know. ... She's the real deal. I mean, she's really the real deal."

Biden said "no one is going to fight harder for this state" than Lujan Grisham.

"It's in her DNA," he said.

Lujan Grisham, who continues to nurse a knee injury, told the audience she felt "so energized" at the rally.

"I needed you today," she said. "And New Mexico needs you, right? Because showing up is the key. We have the voters. We have the will. We are what democracy looks like."

During her 13 1/2 -minute speech, the governor touted her investments in education, which was the focus of an event with the president before the rally.

Earlier in the day, Biden spoke at the Central New Mexico Community College and praised his fellow Democrat's efforts at establishing a tuition-free college program, suggesting it was a prime example of why she deserved a second term.

Biden also used this stop to tout his student loan forgiveness program, which is currently tied up in federal court. He said his loan forgiveness complements the tuition-free college program Lujan Grisham signed into law earlier this year.

"It's been working hand in glove," Biden said.

State education officials say the waived tuition has led to New Mexico's college enrollment increasing 4 percent, saying it's the first time the state has seen any increase in more than a decade. More than 34,000 students have taken advantage of the program this school year, state Higher Education Secretary Stephanie Rodriguez said after Biden's speech.

The program is open to all New Mexico residents who are 18 and older, are signed up for at least six college credits at a public or tribal college or university in the state, and who maintain at least a 2.5 GPA.

Most of the $75 million allocated to the program came from federal pandemic relief funds and will cover tuition costs for a year. Some educators have expressed concern that if the funding isn't renewed, students could be left with no aid partway into their studies or training programs.

Lujan Grisham didn't address the program's current finite funding but spoke confidently that it would become a permanent feature of the state's higher education system.

"New Mexico is home to the most expansive free college program in the nation," she said.

At the same time, Lujan Grisham said, student debt relief is needed as New Mexico households find it increasingly difficult to get ahead amid inflation.

"Everything we do to minimize those issues or risks for families is 100 steps, not just one, in the right direction," the governor said. "Student loan forgiveness is a powerful tool in building, again, a kind of a successful investment in people, in families, in states, in our collective future."

Loan forgiveness would be offered to anyone making less than $125,000 a year, Biden said, noting that about 200,000 New Mexicans would qualify.

They could write off $10,000, and if they received Pell grants, which are given to those in lower income brackets, they could erase an additional $10,000 of their debt, he said.

In New Mexico, the average student debt is about $35,000, so the relief could put a significant dent in it, Biden said, citing state education data.

Nationally, more than 40 million people stand to benefit from the program, he said, adding it's designed to give them a little more financial breathing room.

"The first and most important goal is to give middle class families ... a fighting chance," Biden said. "They've been on the short end of the stick for a long time, across the board."

Republicans largely oppose students debt relief, even though many of them were able to write off hefty loans they took under the COVID-19 Paycheck Protection Program, Biden said, calling it "hypocritical."

Biden said the debt forgiveness is an example of fostering greater prosperity from the bottom up.

"That way, the folks who are at the bottom still have a shot, the middle class gets to grow, and the wealthy still do very well," he said.

Follow Daniel J. Chacón on Twitter @danieljchacon.