
Mark Ronchetti

Mark Ronchetti
New Mexico Republican Governor nominee?
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleTelevision meteorologist
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age52 years old (Oct 1, 1973)
GenderMale
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LocationNew Mexico
BackgroundTelevision meteorologist
Notable personal detailsMark V. Ronchetti is an American meteorologist and Republican political candidate in New Mexico. He was the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in New Mexico in 2020 and the Republican nominee for governor of New Mexico in 2022. He previously worked as a television chief meteorologist in Albuquerque.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports cutting income and gross receipts taxes, offering rebates to taxpayers from oil-and-gas revenue, and other tax reductions targeted at low- and middle-income New Mexicans and small businesses. Proposes using excess state revenue for one-time rebates and permanent tax cuts to reduce tax burden.
Healthcare
Opposes a government 'single-payer' takeover of health care and frames Medicare and Medicaid as important parts of the system while criticizing expansive government solutions. Advocates reforms to attract and retain doctors in New Mexico (e.g., changing malpractice/medical liability rules and incentives for providers).
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border enforcement and state-level measures to reduce illegal crossings and drug/human trafficking, including redeploying the National Guard, creating a state Border Strike/Enforcement Force, and rolling back sanctuary-state policies. Emphasizes coordination with Arizona and Texas and increasing state law-enforcement resources to interdict fentanyl and cartel activity. Does not advocate a pathway to citizenship or expanded asylum protections in the cited materials.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Mark Ronchetti describes himself as pro-life and has said he would seek to end late-term abortion by supporting limits such as banning abortion after 15 weeks while allowing exceptions for rape, incest, and when the mother’s life is at risk; he has also proposed putting the question to New Mexico voters via a constitutional amendment. His campaign framed the position as protecting access to contraception and health care while restricting later-term procedures.
Climate & Energy
Mark Ronchetti acknowledges that climate change is real but emphasizes protecting and expanding New Mexico’s oil and gas industry, opposing policies he describes as risking the state’s energy sector and higher electricity costs. His proposals include rebating a portion of oil-and-gas tax revenues to residents, investing in water projects and desalination, and criticizing aggressive state renewable policies as harmful to reliability and affordability.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes backing and funding law enforcement, proposes tougher sentencing (e.g., expanding three‑strikes) and says police do not want “more guns,” presenting a law‑and‑order approach to public safety while supporting police. The record and campaign materials focus on supporting police and tougher criminal penalties rather than advocating new gun‑control measures.
News
Jim Ellison, a Republican candidate for New Mexico governor, has withdrawn from the race to pursue a run for state treasurer. This leaves four GOP candidates in the gubernatorial race. Ellison's decision follows his fifth-place finish at the Republican pre-primary convention. The current governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, is stepping down due to term limits.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20222022
LatestCycle 2022
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements



