89.9 FM Live From The University Of New Mexico
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Gary Johnson Remains Optimistic Despite Senate Loss

May Ortega | KUNM
Gary Johnson gives his concession speech on election night.

Libertarians in New Mexico didn’t do so well this election. None of the five candidates running for office here won their races.

But Senate candidate Gary Johnson is still optimistic.

 

The former governor campaigned on fiscal conservation and on reducing the country’s debt. But he came in last in a three-way race with 15 percent of the vote.

“It’s kind of a disappointment, but it’s also a pretty good showing by all Libertarians,” he said. “I mean really it’s playing a role in the election.

Democratic incumbent Martin Heinrich kept his seat, beating Johnson and Republican Mick Rich.

Johnson said his party needs to win somewhere, somehow, but he doesn’t think that’ll be in New Mexico. But he does like the momentum he’s seeing now.

 
***
 
Support for KUNM’s Public Health New Mexico project comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the McCune Charitable Foundation, the Con Alma Health Foundation, and from KUNM listeners like you.

May joined KUNM's Public Health New Mexico team in early 2018. That same year, she established the New Mexico chapter of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and received a fellowship from the Association of Health Care Journalists. She join Colorado Public Radio in late 2019.
Related Content