Newman running for 2nd Congressional Seat

ALAMOGORDO – Republican Congressional District 2 candidate Monty Newman wants voters to know that he believes in liberty, personal responsibility and accountability, free markets and innovation.

Newman who is running in the June Republican primary for Rep. Steve Pearce’s seat. Pearce decided not to seek reelection because he is running for governor of New Mexico.

Recently Newman made statewide headlines after U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed Newman’s run for New Mexico’s Congressional District 2.

He is running against state Rep. Yvette Herrell, of Alamogordo, former Eddy County Commissioner Jack Volpato and Lovington native Clayburn Griffin in the June 5 Republican primary.

State Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn and New Mexico National Guard Brig. Gen. Andrew Salas have dropped out of the race.

Newman was recently in town to attend 39th annual Legislative Prayer Breakfast at the Alamogordo Senior Center Jan. 5.

“I am a conservative,” Newman said. “I think there’s three pillars when it comes to this responsibility. When you’re looking at legislation, liberty should be one of the first questions you ask. If you’re going to pass a law, it normally means you’re going to restrict someone’s liberty in some way that’s what laws do. If you’re going to restrict it, what are the reasons for doing it, are they principled, well-reasoned and well thought-out? I think if you look at those things, it brings legislation clear in your mind as to how you should move forward plus asking the advice of your council and constituents.”  

He said he believes in the concept of personal responsibility and accountability.

“I think we’ve lost this sense of responsibility and accountability,” Newman said. “I think people are looking too closely to their government to solve a problem rather than people themselves finding ways to solve issues themselves. I am a firm believer in people and us but not a firm believer in government from the aspect that it needs to be in our life.”

Newman grew up Portales then moved with his family to Clovis where he graduated from Clovis High School. Newman attended York College in Nebraska where he met Vicki Burleigh. The couple married in 1974 then he convinced Vicki to move back to Clovis.

With Newman’s father’s encouragement, he obtained his real estate license in 1977 then Newman moved his family to Hobbs in 1978. Newman has worked in Hobbs for 40 years as a realtor. He is the founder of Newman & Company that recently celebrated 30 years of business.

Newman is a past president of the Realtors of New Mexico and recipient of the New Mexico Realtor of the Year award. In 2005 and 2007, he served as the vice-president for government affairs for the National Association of Realtors.

He also is a former Hobbs city commissioner from 2002 to 2004. Newman also served as mayor of Hobbs for 4 years.

He said he believes in the free market because it affords the opportunity for innovation.

“It’s what grows a country,” Newman said. “Government doesn’t grow a country. Innovation, people, creativity, and people willing to take a risk, and people willing to go to their job and do it well, and find better ways to do it, that’s what makes us great. I want us to remember that.”

He said he is going to work for the residents of New Mexico.

“I am not going to sit at a coffee table to gripe and complain,” Newman said. “If I’ve got something I want to get accomplished, I am going to try to get elected and try my best to go do my best. I am going to do the same in the United States Congress. I am going to work. I am not going to fill a seat. I am not going to die there. I am going to do a job there. I am going to do the job as best I can for the people of the state of New Mexico and the 2nd Congressional District.”