Mark Ronchetti
| Mark Ronchetti | |
 | |
| Born | October 7, 1973 |
|---|---|
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Krysty Ronchetti |
| Children | Two |
| Alma mater | Washington State University |
| Occupation | Meteorologist |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Mark Ronchetti (born October 7, 1973 (age 52)) (pronounced "Ron-ketti") is a popular[1] Albuquerque meteorologist and mostly conservative Republican who ran for United States Senate from New Mexico in the 2020 elections to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Udall. Ronchetti currently run for New Mexico gubernatorial election against Michelle Lujan Grisham.
2020 Senate bid
Two-term senator Tom Udall announced on March 25, 2020 that he would not seek re-election;[2] Ronchetti announced around a year later in early January 2020 his run for the seat.[1][3] In the Republican primary, he faced Navajo Nation member Elisa Martinez and Gavin Clarkson. Despite having been somewhat less supportive of Trump in certain regards,[1] saying that he "was a Republican" until "the orange one"[4] and called out by Martinez over the comment,[5] he won the primary,[6] and faced establishment Democrat representative Ben Ray Luján in the general election. Despite previously being criticized by Clarkson and Martinez, they pledged their support for Ronchetti after the primary to help flip New Mexico towards the Republicans' favor in the 2020 elections.[7]
Ronchetti released his first TV ad in late August 2020.[8]
At a debate for the general election,[9] Ronchetti strongly called out Luján, the House Assistant Speaker, for being complicit in Nancy Pelosi's obstructions amidst the CCP pandemic.[10] The left-wing representative tended to respond to questions over the COVID-19 outbreak by casting blaming on Trump and Sen. Mitch McConnell.
It was reported in late October 2020 that Ronchetti out-raised Luján.[11]
Despite strong efforts, Ronchetti lost the general election to Luján by just under six percentage points,[12] though managed out-perform Donald Trump in the state.[13]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Republican TV meteorologist joins New Mexico Senate race
- ↑ Multiple references:
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Ronchetti’s rivals critical of his 2019 comments at UNM
- ↑ Color Me Orange
- ↑ Two references:
- ↑ Ronchetti wins Republican primary for U.S. Senate
- ↑ Fact Check: Mark Ronchetti's first TV ad
- ↑ New Mexico U.S. Senate Debate
- ↑ GOP’s Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico Senate Debate: Democrat Ben Ray Lujan Abetting Nancy Pelosi in Stalling Coronavirus Aid
- ↑ Ronchetti topped Luján in fundraising last quarter
- ↑ Ben Ray Luján is the projected winner over Mark Ronchetti in the US Senate race in New Mexico
- ↑ https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY