Mark Ronchetti
Mark Ronchetti is a popular[1] Albuquerque meteorologist and mostly conservative Republican currently running for United States Senate from New Mexico in the 2020 elections to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Udall.
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 will face establishment Democrat representative Ben Ray Luján in the general election.
Ronchetti released his first TV ad in late August 2020.[7]
At a debate for the general election, Ronchetti strongly called out Luján, the House Assistant Speaker, for being complicit in Nancy Pelosi's obstructions amidst the CCP pandemic.[8]
It was reported in late October 2020 that Ronchetti out-raised Luján.[9]
References
- â 1.0 1.1 1.2 Republican TV meteorologist joins New Mexico Senate race
- â Multiple references:
- â Two references:
- â Ronchettiâs rivals critical of his 2019 comments at UNM
- â Color Me Orange
- â Republican Mark Ronchetti to face Rep. Ben Ray Luján in New Mexico Senate race
- â Fact Check: Mark Ronchetti's first TV ad
- â GOPâs Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico Senate Debate: Democrat Ben Ray Lujan Abetting Nancy Pelosi in Stalling Coronavirus Aid
- â Ronchetti topped Luján in fundraising last quarter