Biden's big worries in one small state

New Mexico may be small in terms of population, but we are the second largest producer of oil. We punch well above our weight when it comes to American energy. That’s starting to be a problem for President Joe Biden.

New polling data shows Biden’s support in our state plummeting. With an approval rating of just 41 percent and a disapproval rating of 57 percent, Biden finds himself 16 points underwater. This decline is particularly worrying for the President, given that he won New Mexico by a comfortable 10-point margin during the 2020 election.

One of the significant concerns for Biden is the erosion of his support among Hispanics. While a 2022 poll indicated a 53 percent approval rating among the Hispanic community, that number has dropped dramatically to a mere 36 percent today. This marks a significant 17-point dip in less than two years. Keep in mind, Hispanics make up more of the population in New Mexico than any other state. We are a majority-minority state. If they’re abandoning Biden here, they’re likely doing so in other states too.

The top issues of concern in New Mexico revolve around the economy, crime, illegal immigration, and the cost of living. Unfortunately for Biden, these are precisely the areas where he is failing to resonate with voters.

A particularly contentious issue is Biden's complete embrace of the green agenda. Having worked in the natural gas industry for 30 years, this is personal for me. A staggering 54 percent of New Mexicans believe the oil and natural gas industry is the most crucial sector for the state's economy, surpassing all other industries combined. Despite New Mexico being the nation's second-largest oil producer, Biden often attacks this vital industry.  Recently, his administration cancelled all exports of liquefied natural gas, a devastating blow for our foreign allies in Europe.

Adding insult to injury, the recent actions of President Joe Biden and New Mexico's Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham regarding the imposition of regulations on natural gas production in our state are concerning to say the least. Despite New Mexico's position as a national energy leader, these onerous rules seem to be aimed at hindering rather than promoting the industry that supports our state.

It is particularly disheartening to note that these regulations were announced by the Biden Administration and Governor Grisham while they attended an elitist United Nations climate conference in Dubai. This exclusive gathering, held thousands of miles away from our state, hardly seems like an appropriate venue for discussing and implementing policies that will directly impact our energy industry.

Furthermore, the practical result of these regulations is effectively a tax on natural gas production. This additional financial burden on the industry can only serve to stifle growth and hinder job creation in our state. It is puzzling why our leaders would choose to impose such fees when New Mexico plays such a crucial role in meeting the nation's energy needs.

Additionally, electric vehicles (EVs) have become a contentious topic in New Mexico. While the state's Governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, was on Biden’s shortlist for vice president and is pushing for EV mandates it is evident that New Mexicans oppose such measures. A staggering 59 percent of voters oppose EV mandates, with 72 percent believing they will lead to increased costs. This opposition to EVs further compounds Biden's difficulties in securing support from the state's population.

If the economy is the primary concern, Biden's pursuit of the green agenda is undoubtedly a major obstacle to overcome in this small state. With the majority of New Mexicans understanding the pivotal role that the oil and natural gas industry plays in their economy, the President's attacks on this sector have been met with strong resistance. Furthermore, the push for EV mandates has faced overwhelming opposition, with voters expressing concerns over increased costs.

The results speak for themselves: what is important to the people isn’t important to Joe Biden. He could be focusing on policies that prioritize the state's economic growth, address crime concerns, tackle illegal immigration effectively, and alleviate the rising cost of living, but his agenda won’t allow it.

Our little state is sending a big message to Joe Biden, but it’s doubtful he will ever listen.

Senator David Gallegos represents some of the most productive energy land in the entire country. He worked for over 30 years in the natural gas industry before being elected to the Legislature in 2013 where he continually fights for American energy independence, 2nd Amendment rights, and the Right to Life. Senator Gallegos proudly lives in the Permian Basin in the town of Eunice, New Mexico with his wife.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Biden's big worries in one small state