Greg Cunningham makes campaign stop in Las Cruces

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise visited Las Cruces Thursday. He joined Republican Congressional candidate Greg Cunningham.

The event happened at the Electronic Caregiver on Main Street. ABC-7 spoke with Cunningham, who's running against incumbent Democratic Congressman Gabe Vasquez for New Mexico's second congressional district.

"We want to take what's happening here in southern New Mexico with CD2 and take it national, and that's what the goal was today was to open their eyes and to give them an idea of what our potential is and what New Mexico has to offer for the country and for the rest of the world," Cunningham said.

Protesters attending the event said Vasquez has done the work to bring crime down.

"He voted to raise the pay for the Las Cruces Police Department by millions over years. He's worked hard to improve communications for the sheriff's office," said Alan Caroe, who protested at the event.

Cunningham said a new version of the 1994 crime bill would provide more police officers on the streets.

"We need to up the sentencing guidelines on fentanyl. We need to get some police officers back in schools to protect our children, so I have a comprehensive plan to address crime and the chaos on the streets," Cunningham said.