New Mexico’s Political Leadership: A Legacy of Failures?
Write your Here are 5 different metrics / reports in which New Mexico is ranked worst out of all 50 states (or tied for worst):
Education (part of child well-being) — New Mexico is 50th in the “Education” domain in the Kids Count Data Book from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. KUNM+3nmkidscan.org+3New Mexico Voices for Children+3
Family & Community (child well-being domain) — also 50th among states. Source New Mexico+2New Mexico Voices for Children+2
Overall Child Well-Being — New Mexico is 50th overall across the four domains (education, family/community, health, economic well-being). KUNM+2New Mexico Voices for Children+2
In one past report, New Mexico was named the worst U.S. state to live in by WalletHub in 2025. Yahoo+1
Health & Education combined category in some “Best/Worst” or “States to live” rankings — New Mexico is at or near the bottom (often 50th) for public K-12 performance. Business Insider+2KUNM+2
Actually, fully confirming 10 distinct metrics where it is explicitly ranked #50 is a little tricky; many public reports have New Mexico near bottom in several areas, but not always last. If you want, I can try to dig up more and reach 10 exact “#50”‐ranked metrics. Do you want me to continue and get all 10? here...
Thank you, Chat gpt.
Has the leadership in New Mexico, Failed?
Where we are as a state.
For decades, political leadership in New Mexico—across both parties—has failed to meet the needs of its residents. Despite repeated promises of reform, the state continues to lag behind the rest of the nation in critical areas such as education, economic growth, crime, healthcare, and government accountability.
Education Failures
Under Governor Susana Martinez (2011–2019), education reform was heavily focused on standardized testing and teacher evaluations. Billions were spent, yet test scores and graduation rates remained among the lowest in the nation.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham (2019–present) inherited these problems but has struggled to turn them around. Despite record education budgets, New Mexico still ranks near the bottom in reading and math proficiency. The 2018 Yazzie/Martinez court ruling declared the state was failing to provide an adequate education, especially for Native American and low-income students—an issue still unresolved.
Crime and Public Safety
Albuquerque mayors—from Martin Chávez in the early 2000s, to Richard Berry (2009–2017), and now Tim Keller (2017–present)—have all struggled to address rising crime. Albuquerque consistently ranks among the top U.S. cities for violent crime.
The Albuquerque Police Department (APD) has been under federal Department of Justice oversight since 2014 due to a pattern of excessive force. Years later, despite millions in reforms, compliance remains incomplete.
State leadership has passed “catch-and-release” bail reforms, supported by Chief Justice Charles Daniels, which critics argue have allowed repeat offenders to cycle through the justice system.
Economic Development
Under Governor Bill Richardson (2003–2011), New Mexico poured hundreds of millions into projects like Spaceport America. Over a decade later, it has not delivered on promises of job creation and economic diversification.
New Mexico remains heavily dependent on oil and gas revenues, making its economy vulnerable to global price swings. Both Martinez and Lujan Grisham administrations have failed to create a stable, diversified economy, leaving rural communities in persistent poverty.
Film industry tax credits have brought jobs, but critics say the focus on Hollywood productions has overshadowed sustainable investment in local businesses and workforce development.
Corruption and Accountability
Governor Bill Richardson’s administration was plagued by pay-to-play scandals tied to state contracts and campaign donors. Federal investigations ended without charges but left a lasting cloud of mistrust.
State Auditor Tim Keller (before becoming Albuquerque’s mayor) uncovered fraud in numerous state contracts and programs, yet systemic accountability measures remain weak.
Multiple legislators, such as Senator Phil Griego (D), have been forced to resign due to corruption or ethics violations.
Healthcare and Social Services
In 2013, under Governor Martinez, the administration accused 15 behavioral health providers of Medicaid fraud, abruptly cutting off funding. Most were later cleared of wrongdoing, but the damage devastated mental health services across the state.
Governor Lujan Grisham has expanded Medicaid, but access to healthcare in rural New Mexico remains among the worst in the country. Shortages of doctors and nurses persist, with little done to address long-term recruitment.
Infrastructure and Investment
New Mexico has repeatedly failed to modernize critical infrastructure. Broadband internet access is still limited in rural areas despite years of federal funding opportunities.
Roads and bridges remain underfunded, and political leadership has not advanced large-scale projects to make the state competitive with neighbors like Texas, Colorado, and Arizona.
Immigration and Border Issues
Under both Martinez and Lujan Grisham, the state has struggled to balance compassion with enforcement. Border counties continue to deal with crime and drug smuggling tied to trafficking routes, while state-level leadership has failed to provide consistent support to local law enforcement.
Conclusion
From the pay-to-play scandals under Bill Richardson, to the education failures and healthcare cuts under Susana Martinez, to the ongoing crime and accountability issues under Michelle Lujan Grisham and Tim Keller, New Mexico’s leaders have consistently fallen short. Instead of providing long-term vision and stability, political leadership has too often been reactive, short-sighted, or self-serving.
The residents of New Mexico deserve better—leadership that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and effective solutions over partisan politics and failed experiments.