Adrian Hedden
El Rito Media

Vice President Kamala Harris and former-President Donald Trump squared off in their first televised debate as candidates for the U.S. Presidency Tuesday night, drawing reactions from both sides of the aisle in New Mexico.

The debate centered on key issues such as healthcare, immigration and the economy as Harris lashed out at Trump for “leaving a mess” for her and President Joe Biden in 2021 when the administration took office.

Trump criticized his opponent’s policies as leaving America in worse shape today than it was when Trump left office.

It was the second debate of the ongoing election cycle, leading up to the Nov. 5 General Election, but the first time Harris and Trump have debated after Biden dropped out of the race earlier this year.

New Mexico Democratic Party spokesman Daniel Garcia said Trump looked “totally inept” during the debate, criticizing the former President for using “revisionist history” in his answers and making “absurd, egotistical claims.”

“Trump displayed what we already know – he’s emotionally and mentally unfit to be president,” Garcia said following the debate. “It is alarming that someone who demonstrated the level of immaturity we saw tonight wants to lead the United States.”

New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce said the economic policies of Trump were stronger than Harris’ and would lead to lower prices for New Mexico consumers.

“Both sides executed their points pretty well, but it’s going to come down to will voters believe the utopia Kamala Harris is selling them or what they see,” Pearce said. “Times are very tough right now and they are about to get tougher. I’m talking to people every day, restaurant owners, and small businesses that may have to close because they can’t afford the rent anymore.”

On New Mexico’s nation-leading oil and gas industry, Pearce said it was clear Trump would support the state’s key economic driver credited with bringing more than $13 billion in state revenue last year.

He was critical of Harris for past remarks Pearce said showed she supported banning fracking, then changing her stance at the debate.

“Trump made it clear that he would protect New Mexico’s oil and gas industry, which accounts for thousands of jobs and almost 50 percent of our state’s budget. Harris had a more confusing stance,” Pearce said.

“She twisted herself into a pretzel trying to explain how she supports fracking despite previously saying she wants to ban it, while also saying that her values have not changed.”

Energy was a weak point in the Democratic nominee’s performance, said Daniel Turner, executive director of Power the Future, an oil and gas advocacy group and lobbyist in New Mexico.

“Kamala Harris was allowed to stay vague on her policy flip-flops, offering zero reasons for her alleged change of heart on fracking and electric vehicles,” Turner said. “That’s why we should all be suspicious of what Kamala Harris says, but never doubt what she’s done.”

Cassidy DiPaola with environmental advocacy group Fossil Free Media said Harris’ pledge to address climate change would aid the nation in a transition to less-polluting forms of energy.

“These contrasting approaches will shape U.S. energy policy, climate action, and global standing,” DiPaola said. “While Harris’ focus on clean energy investments could accelerate America’s energy transition, Trump’s fossil fuel-centric plan risks leaving the U.S. behind.”

Adrian Hedden can be reached at 734-972-6855, achedden@currentargus.com or @AdrianHedden on the social media platform X.