EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Here is reaction to Tuesday night’s debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris from political leaders in Texas and New Mexico.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, Republican, via X
“Tonight, Kamala Harris proved that now more than ever, we need to elect President Donald Trump. He’ll put America first by delivering on his promises to make America safe, strong, & secure again. Most importantly, he’ll undo the damage created by the failed Biden-Harris Admin.”
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, via X
“The American people deserve better than Donald Trump. We deserve a president who believes in this country, its people, and its opportunities.”
New Mexico state Sen. Greg Baca, R-Belen
“Tonight President Trump delivered a vision to reform our country to its former greatness. against Vice President Harris, who was unable to explain the failures of the past 3.5 years and instead denied, deflected, and distracted.
“Unfortunately for New Mexico, no presidential administration has been able to undo the damage that 100 years of Democrat rule in New Mexico has done. Voting to take New Mexico in a new direction starts by changing leadership at the local level. Your city counselor, mayor, and legislators are your voice to fix our persistent issues with crime, education, and economic stagnation. This November vote for change — vote Republican.”
NM Gov. Michelle Lujan-Grisham, Democrat, via X
“It’s clear that Donald Trump has zero answers on health care – except to undo the Affordable Care Act and kick millions of people off of their health care.”
Steve Pearce, chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico
“Trump is in a stronger position through his policies to stabilize the economy, get wages up, and get costs down. On the other hand, Harris avoided addressing important questions about the economy and dodged the critical question of why Americans feel they are worse off than before the past three and a half years of her administration.
“The underlying question for Harris is why isn’t she already doing the things she is proposing, but, as usual, she did not give voters an answer.
“President Trump spoke directly to New Mexicans who know their neighborhoods have become unsafe and to our border communities who feel abandoned, those whom Harris seemed to laugh about. Harris could not explain why her administration opened the border to this crisis on their day one.”
Gilberto Hinojosa, chaiman of the Texas Democratic Pary, and Shay Wyrick Cathey, vice chair of Texas Democratic Party
“Tonight, Texans witnessed Vice President Kamala Harris show up for us and shared a new way forward. Vice President Harris showed her commitment to safeguarding fundamental freedoms, fortifying our democracy, and creating opportunities for every Texan to thrive, all while Donald Trump barely articulated a coherent thought, much less a coherent vision for the American people. Trump’s agenda is nothing short of a power grab, aimed at giving himself unchecked control over our lives, rewarding his billionaire cronies at the expense of hardworking Texans, slashing the benefits we’ve fought for, and imposing a nationwide abortion ban.
“It’s clear that Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz are the only ones in this race dedicated to leading us toward a future that is brighter, freer, and full of promise. Texans are ready to send Harris to the White House, to forge a new way forward that we all believe in.”
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