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'''David Francis Cargo''', self-named in his autobiography as "Lonesome Dave" Cargo (January 13, 1929 &ndash; July 5, 2013), was the 22nd [[Governor]] of his adopted state of [[New Mexico]], a post which he filled from 1967 to 1971. An [[attorney]], Cargo served earlier from 1963 to 1967 as a state representative from the state's largest city, [[Albuquerque]].<ref name=bio>David F. Cargo, New Mexico Office of the State Historian, no longer on line.</ref>

'''David Francis Cargo''', self-named in his autobiography as "Lonesome Dave" Cargo (January 13, 1929 &ndash; July 5, 2013), was the 22nd [[Governor]] of his adopted state of [[New Mexico]], a post which he filled from 1967 to 1971. An [[attorney]], Cargo served earlier from 1963 to 1967 as a state representative from the state's largest city, [[Albuquerque]].<ref name=bio>David F. Cargo, New Mexico Office of the State Historian, no longer on line.</ref>

A [[Moderate Republican]], he was often at odds with the [[conservative]] faction in the New Mexico GOP.

A [[Moderate Republican]], he was often at odds with the [[conservative]] faction in the [[New Mexico]] [[GOP]]. He is the youngest person to have served as governor of New Mexico.

==Background==

==Background==

== Career ==

== Career ==

At the age of thirty-seven, he was elected governor in 1966, one of the youngest men ever elected as a state governor. He filed one of the first lawsuits to enforce proportional representation in the state legislature.

At the age of thirty-seven, he was elected governor in 1966, one of the youngest men ever elected as a state governor. He filed one of the first suits to enforce proportional representation in the state legislature.

In the 1966 gubernatorial primary election, Cargo narrowly defeated Clifford J. Hawley of the capital city of [[Santa Fe]], 17,836 votes (52 percent) to 16,588 (48 percent).

In the 1966 gubernatorial primary election, Cargo narrowly defeated Clifford J. Hawley of the capital city of [[Santa Fe]], 17,836 votes (52 percent) to 16,588 (48 percent).

<ref name="StPeteTimes">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XLgxAAAAIBAJ&dq=david%20cargo%20clifford%20hawley&pg=5931%2C2479408 |title=Governor Race Sparks Contest in New Mexico |date=May 4, 1966 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=''St. Petersburg Times'' |access-date=July 6, 2013}}</ref> In 1966, Cargo won with 17,836 (51.8 percent) to Hawley's 16,588 (48.2 percent).<ref name="AmVotes7">{{cite book |title=America Votes |volume=7 |last=Scammon |first=Richard M. |author-link=Richard M. Scammon |year=1967}}</ref> He improved his primary performance in 1968, when he again defeated Hawley, 28,014 (54.9 percent) to 23,052 (45.1 percent).<ref name="AmVotes8">{{cite book |title=America Votes |volume=8 |last=Scammon |first=Richard M. |author-link=Richard M. Scammon |year=1969}}</ref>

<ref name="StPeteTimes">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=XLgxAAAAIBAJ&dq=david%20cargo%20clifford%20hawley&pg=5931%2C2479408 |title=Governor Race Sparks Contest in New Mexico |date=May 4, 1966 |agency=Associated Press |publisher=''St. Petersburg Times'' |access-date=July 6, 2013}}</ref> In 1966, Cargo won with 17,836 (51.8 percent) to Hawley's 16,588 (48.2 percent).<ref name="AmVotes7">{{cite book |title=America Votes |volume=7 |author=Richard M. Scammon|year=1967}}</ref> He improved his primary performance in 1968, when he again defeated Hawley, 28,014 (54.9 percent) to 23,052 (45.1 percent).<ref name="AmVotes8">{{cite book |title=America Votes |volume=8|author=Richard M. Scammon |year=1969}}</ref>

Cargo won the general election of 1966, when he narrowly defeated [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Gene Lusk. Cargo received 134,625 votes (51.7 percent; Lusk, 125,587 (48.3 percent).<ref name="AmVotes7" /> Running again in 1968, when [[Richard M. Nixon]] carried New Mexico in the presidential election against Democrat [[Hubert Humphrey]], Cargo won by an even smaller margin, 160,140 (50.5 percent) to Democrat Fabian Chavez Jr.,'s 157,230 ballots (49.5 percent).<ref name="AmVotes8" />

Cargo won the general election of 1966, when he narrowly defeated [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Gene Lusk. Cargo received 134,625 votes (51.7 percent) Lusk, 125,587 (48.3 percent).<ref name="AmVotes7" /> Running again in 1968, when [[Richard M. Nixon]] carried New Mexico in the presidential election against Democrat [[Hubert Humphrey]], Cargo won by an even smaller margin, 160,140 (50.5 percent) to Democrat Fabian Chavez Jr.,'s 157,230 ballots (49.5 percent).<ref name="AmVotes8" />

 

Governor, Cargo established the state film commission, which brought millions of dollars in revenue to the state of New Mexico. Cargo established ties to [[Hollywood]] and was even asked to appear in several films. In 1971, he made a cameo appearance in ''Bunny O'Hare,'' starring Bette Davis (1908-1989) and Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012). During his first campaign for governor, he was known as "Lonesome Dave."<ref name=obit />

On May 8, 1970, Cargo sent National Guard troops to the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque when anti-war Democrat activist and actress [[Jane Fonda]] spoke to an estimated seven hundred protesters.<ref>Leslie Linthcum, "Battle Lines in Mirage Spring, UNM  Alumni Association, 2020.</ref> Gathered to protest the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Kent State University]] massacre in [[Ohio]] that had happened four days earlier, the National Guard was given orders to end the protest and bayonetted 11 people.<ref name=":0">Rick Nathanson, "Bayoneting Victims Recall 50th Anniversary of UNM Bloodshed," usnews.com, May 16, 2020.</ref> A class action lawsuit was brought against Cargo and individual guardsmen by six of the bayonetting victims. A jury in Albuquerque eventually sided with Cargo, the National Guard, and the other politicians involved leaving victims to pay their own medical bills.<ref>{{cite web |author=Milan Simonich|title="Bayonets, blood and tears stained UNM in 1970"|url=https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/bayonets-blood-and-tears-stained-unm-in-1970/article_70f29946-889d-11ea-b2a6-a72b427696f0.html|accessdate=July 11, 2022|publisher=''Santa Fe New Mexican''}}</ref>

On May 8, 1970, Cargo sent National Guard troops to the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque when anti-war Democrat activist and actress [[Jane Fonda]] spoke to an estimated seven hundred protesters.<ref>Leslie Linthcum, "Battle Lines in Mirage Spring, UNM  Alumni Association, 2020.</ref> Gathered to protest the [[Vietnam War]] and the [[Kent State University]] massacre in [[Ohio]] that had happened four days earlier, the National Guard was given orders to end the protest and bayonetted 11 people.<ref name=":0">Rick Nathanson, "Bayoneting Victims Recall 50th Anniversary of UNM Bloodshed," usnews.com, May 16, 2020.</ref> A class action lawsuit was brought against Cargo and individual guardsmen by six of the bayonetting victims. A jury in Albuquerque eventually sided with Cargo, the National Guard, and the other politicians involved leaving victims to pay their own medical bills.<ref>{{cite web |author=Milan Simonich|title="Bayonets, blood and tears stained UNM in 1970"|url=https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/bayonets-blood-and-tears-stained-unm-in-1970/article_70f29946-889d-11ea-b2a6-a72b427696f0.html|accessdate=July 11, 2022|publisher=''Santa Fe New Mexican''}}</ref>

Cargo could not seek a third two-year term in 1970 due to term limits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085750/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/pdf/2007nmconst.pdf|title=Constitution Of The State Of New Mexico - Article V, Section 1|publisher=New Mexico Secretary of State|accessdate=August 20, 2011}}</ref> Cargo ran for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 1970, but he lost the Republican primary to [[oil]]man Anderson "Andy" Carter (1926-2000), a supporter of then [[California]] Governor [[Ronald W. Reagan]], who was first elected on the same day as Cargo.<ref name="SFNMObit">{{cite web |url=http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/article_a934c39f-e5c1-55da-b20f-8947f4f30550.html |title="Former New Mexico Gov. David Cargo dead at 84" |date=July 5, 2013 |accessdate=July 6, 2013 |author=Steve Terrell|publisher=''The Santa Fe New Mexican''}}</ref> Anderson Carter polled 32,122 (57.8 percent) to Cargo's 17,951 (32.3 percent).<ref name="AmVotes9">{{cite book |title=America Votes |volume=9 |last=Scammon author=Richard M. Scammon|date=1971}}</ref> Carter then lost the 1970 United States Senate election in New Mexico to [[incumbent]] Democrat [[Joseph Montoya]].<ref name="AmVotes9" /> Cargo ran unsuccessfully for New Mexico's other Senate seat in 1972 but again lost the primary, this time to the eventual winner, [[Pete Domenici]].<ref name="SFNMObit" />

Cargo could not seek a third two-year term in 1970 due to term limits.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929085750/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/pdf/2007nmconst.pdf|title=Constitution Of The State Of New Mexico - Article V, Section 1|publisher=New Mexico Secretary of State|accessdate=August 20, 2011}}</ref> Cargo ran for the [[U.S. Senate]] in 1970, but he lost the Republican primary to [[oil]]man Anderson "Andy" Carter (1926-2000), a supporter of then [[California]] Governor [[Ronald W. Reagan]], who was first elected on the same day as Cargo.<ref name="SFNMObit">{{cite web |url=http://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_news/article_a934c39f-e5c1-55da-b20f-8947f4f30550.html |title="Former New Mexico Gov. David Cargo dead at 84" |date=July 5, 2013 |accessdate=July 6, 2013 |author=Steve Terrell|publisher=''The Santa Fe New Mexican''}}</ref> Anderson Carter polled 32,122 (57.8 percent) to Cargo's 17,951 (32.3 percent).<ref name="AmVotes9">{{cite book |title=America Votes |volume=9 |author=Richard M. Scammon|date=1971}}</ref> Carter then lost the 1970 United States Senate election in New Mexico to [[incumbent]] Democrat [[Joseph Montoya]].<ref name="AmVotes9" /> Cargo ran unsuccessfully for New Mexico's other Senate seat in 1972 but again lost the primary, this time to the eventual winner, [[Pete Domenici]].<ref name="SFNMObit" />

From 1973 to 1985, Cargo lived in Lake Oswego, [[Oregon]], and ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 1984, placing third in the Republican primary won by an appointed incumbent. After returning to New Mexico, Cargo won the Republican nomination in 1986 for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district but was defeated by the incumbent, Democrat [[Bill Richardson]], later a major player in the administration of U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name=SFNMObit/> In 1989, Cargo ran for [[mayor]] of Albuquerque but placed third, and thus did not advance to the runoff contest.<ref>{{cite web|title=David F. Cargo|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=13767|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309202421/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=13767|archive-date=March 9, 2016|accessdate=December 1, 2022|website=Our Campaigns}}</ref> In 1993 he ran again for mayor but lost to Martin Chávez.<ref name=SFNMObit/> In 1994, he sought a  gubernatorial comeback but finished in fourth place with 13 percent in the primary and lost to the eventual winner, [[Gary E. Johnson]], a [[libertarian]] Republican.<ref name=94Primary>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/uploads/files/Election%20Results/CanvassPrimary1994.pdf |title=Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 7, 1994 - State of New Mexico |publisher=New Mexico Secretary of State |access-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909065406/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/uploads/files/Election%20Results/CanvassPrimary1994.pdf |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cargo made his final race in 1997 when he again contested the Albuquerque mayoralty, but he finished third and lost to Jim Baca.<ref name=Albu1997Results>City of Albuquerque Regular Municipal Unofficial Election Results, October 7, 1997.</ref>

From 1973 to 1985, Cargo lived in Lake Oswego, [[Oregon]], and ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 1984, placing third in the Republican primary won by an appointed incumbent. After returning to New Mexico, Cargo won the Republican nomination in 1986 for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district but was defeated by the incumbent, Democrat [[Bill Richardson]], later a major player in the administration of U.S. President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref name=SFNMObit/> In 1989, Cargo ran for [[mayor]] of Albuquerque but placed third, and thus did not advance to the runoff contest.<ref>{{cite web|title=David F. Cargo|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=13767|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309202421/https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html?CandidateID=13767|archive-date=March 9, 2016|accessdate=December 1, 2022|website=Our Campaigns}}</ref> In 1993 he ran again for mayor but lost to Martin Chávez.<ref name=SFNMObit/> In 1994, he sought a  gubernatorial comeback but finished in fourth place with 13 percent in the primary and lost to the eventual winner, [[Gary E. Johnson]], a [[libertarian]] Republican.<ref name=94Primary>{{cite web |url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/uploads/files/Election%20Results/CanvassPrimary1994.pdf|title=Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 7, 1994 - State of New Mexico |publisher=New Mexico Secretary of State |access-date=July 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160909065406/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/uploads/files/Election%20Results/CanvassPrimary1994.pdf |archive-date=September 9, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Cargo made his final race in 1997 when he again contested the Albuquerque mayoralty, but he finished third and lost to Jim Baca.<ref name=Albu1997Results>City of Albuquerque Regular Municipal Unofficial Election Results, October 7, 1997.</ref>

Cargo in his later years continued to practice law in Albuquerque. In 2010, he wrote an [[autobiography]] entitled ''Lonesome Dave,''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunstonepress.com/cgi-bin/bookview.cgi?_recordnum=600|title=Books: Lonesome Dave|publisher=Sunstone Press|accessdate=December 28, 2010}}</ref> a reference to his liberal politics in

Cargo in his later years continued to practice law in Albuquerque. In 2010, he wrote an [[autobiography]] entitled ''Lonesome Dave,''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunstonepress.com/cgi-bin/bookview.cgi?_recordnum=600|title=Books: Lonesome Dave|publisher=Sunstone Press|accessdate=December 28, 2010}}</ref> a reference to his liberal politics inside the Republican Party.

side the Republican Party.

The Luna Community College Library in Mora, New Mexico, is named in Cargo's honor.

The Luna Community College Library in Mora, New Mexico, is named in Cargo's honor.

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Moderate Republicans]]

[[Category:Moderate Republicans]]