GOP gubernatorial candidate praises LC company as future model for New Mexico

New Mexico Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Pearce Wednesday praised a high-tech company in Las Cruces as a prime example of the businesses he hopes to attract to the Land of Enchantment if elected governor.

“We haven’t been able to convince people to stay here and invest in anything here,” said Pearce during a news conference held at the headquarters for Electronic Caregiver.

Tony Dohrmann, the CEO of Electronic Caregiver, moved to Las Cruces in 2005 to start the company. Since then, the company has taken over three floors in the 10-story building, as both business and profits have grown exponentially.

Dohrmann estimated his company will add 1,100 jobs in the upcoming months.

“I believe that the talent is right here among us,” said Rep. Pearce talking about the untapped potential in the state.

Pearce, a state representative, proposed another option for younger generations. “We’re going to create blue-collar jobs in apprenticeship programs for those kids who just aren’t going to college and want to work with their hands,” said Pearce.

Pearce said he plans on stopping additional ” roadblocks” like red tape and lengthy approvals.

Tuesday, Pearce’s democratic opponent, Michelle Lujan Grisham, visited Sunland Park and toured the US-Mexico border.

“Our unemployment is too high. We have several open jobs without a ready workforce,” Lujan-Grisham said, adding similarities between her and Pearce may be far and few between, but they do share commonalities. “It’s fair to say that we both recognize that the benefit to a strong New Mexico is addressing our economic challenges,” she said.