33 Counties and One Bull Calf: Highlights from Ben Ray’s Virtual Road Trip Around New Mexico
Campaigning during a global pandemic is a whole different ballgame. There’s no canvassing. No rallies. None of the handshakes or hugs or shared meals that build connections during normal times.
But despite these challenges, Ben Ray has still made it a priority to ensure that voters can hear first-hand from him about the issues that define our campaign. In May, our campaign launched a 33-county virtual road trip around New Mexico — and we just finished the final stop!
From every corner of the state, Ben Ray heard from New Mexicans about their unique concerns and their priorities for the 2020 election. He also took questions about the key issues facing our state and;
- Highlighted the urgent need to extend federal unemployment benefits to help New Mexico families through COVID-19.
- Shared his personal experience of losing his father and how he learned that without strong protections for workers, good people get hurt.
- Talked about the funding and resources needed to keep our students healthy, and discussed a cautious, science-based approach to reopening schools that does not put more lives at risk.
- Discussed details on his Coronavirus Community Relief Act, which would provide direct pandemic support to small communities.
- Shared how he pushed the Trump administration to deliver much-needed funding from the CARES Act to Native American communities.
While there are many more visits to come with communities across the state, we wanted to share a few of the of our favorite moments from these road trips:
- During the Southeast New Mexico stop, Ben Ray the bull calf, was born!
- Ben Ray showed Cibola and Socorro County residents how he brings a little bit of New Mexico with him when Congress is in session!
- Ben Ray shared how his Grandpa Celedon taught him to always leave the land better than he found it.
- Ben Ray’s mom, Carmen made a guest appearance during the Taos County road stop!
While of course we wish this was an in-person road trip, Ben Ray enjoyed connecting with so many New Mexicans in a way that was safe and kept everyone healthy. As we look forward to the months ahead, our team is excited to hold many more events like these and bring our communities together.
To get a feel for each of the stops on the virtual road trip, scroll through the gallery below to see some of the questions Ben Ray was asked and read his responses.
