Foster vs. Garcia, issue by issue

Foster’s site says she supports common-sense gun safety laws without naming one. Garcia’s says: “Protect Second Amendment rights — law-abiding New Mexicans have the right to protect themselves and their families, period.”

Foster “supports fully funding public schools and expanding early childhood education and workforce pathways”, and lists “proper heating and cooling for public schools”. Garcia’s priority is to “partner with parents on their children’s education” and she names no school funding change.

Both want more doctors and lower costs. Foster would “address doctor shortages across the state” and “strengthen rural healthcare access and funding for rural clinics”. Garcia would “stop legislation like the 2021 Medical Malpractice law—which drove hundreds of doctors out of New Mexico”, and, in her words, keep the trial lawyer lobby out of health care policy. The Ledger has not checked her claim about doctors leaving.

Foster “supports cutting taxes for middle and working-class families and small businesses” while ensuring the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share. Garcia would support “working families with real economic relief—from reducing grocery taxes” and keep taxes competitive for business.

Foster’s housing plan would “support rent control in mobile home parks”, “create incentives for multifamily housing” and “require new housing projects to remain affordable by law”. Garcia told Source NM that gross receipts taxes on construction can push up home prices, and that the state “should be looking for ways to reduce, not add to, the costs of building and buying a home.”

Garcia’s priority is to “cut the red tape strangling New Mexico small businesses”. Foster’s site supports “cutting taxes for middle and working-class families and small businesses” while the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share.

Foster “supports giving law enforcement the tools they need while investing in prevention and survivor support”. Garcia’s site says to “back the badge” and “hold criminals accountable — oppose policies that put repeat offenders back on the street”. She also lists mental health, addiction and poverty as root causes to address. Foster names no position on repeat offenders.

Foster “supports border security alongside fair, humane immigration reform and pathways to citizenship” and “strongly opposes the recent misuse of ICE”. The Ledger found nothing from Garcia on immigration.

Foster supports protecting abortion access and believes healthcare decisions belong to individuals. The Ledger found nothing from Garcia on abortion.

Foster “opposes the purchase of TXNM Energy (PNM) by Blackstone”. The Ledger found nothing from Garcia on PNM.