GOP could face immigration issue in NM Senate primary

New Mexico Lt. Gov. John Sanchez (R) said he has the "political courage" to tackle immigration reform, despite the controversial nature of the issue for many GOP primary voters.

"I think what we're lacking in the U.S. Senate are people who are willing to have the political courage to take on the issue of immigration reform," said Sanchez, who is mulling a run for the Republican Senate nomination. "Coming from a border state, being an Hispanic, I think provides a great perspective [on] it.

"I've always considered myself to be somebody who's taken on those tough issues," he added. "I'm not afraid of the critique that may come with it."

Sanchez also has the experience of running a roofing company, which he says gives him additional perspective on the issue.

But that almost became a political liability during the lieutenant governor race last fall. New Mexico Democrats noted that Sanchez's company, Right-Way Roofing, was found to have employed 10 illegal workers in the late 1990s.

Sanchez’s camp notes that his company dismissed the employees immediately after they were found to be undocumented, and had been praised by federal officials for its scrutiny of new hires.

During an interview, Sanchez pointed out that he joined Gov. Susana Martinez (R) in pushing a bill that would have denied driver's licenses to illegal immigrants. The legislation failed, but Sanchez noted it as an example of his willingness to crack down on illegal immigrants.

"We should be enforcing the laws that are on the books right now," said Sanchez. "But it doesn't end there."

Putting the immigration issue on the "back burner," he said, "is not in the best interests of this country."

"The federal government has to really get off their backside and deal with the issue of immigration," Sanchez said.

Sanchez won't go into details about what sort of reforms he'd support. Asked about the DREAM Act, which would create a pathway to legality for young illegal immigrants, he was noncommittal.

"Without having the ability to debate and to look at that bill completely, there's a lot of the devils in the details there," he said. "I think that the discussion needs to happen."

Sanchez said he wouldn't necessarily "carry the water" on an immigration reform bill. "But I'd have the political courage and the strength to be able to address that openly," he said.

The Republican said he wasn't worried his party could be hurt by a heated immigration debate in 2012. "Hispanics across the country want to have an honest discussion about immigration," he said. "I say that based on experience."

Still, he added,  "tone is always important, let's be clear."

"The politicizing of the immigration [issue], with both parties, has really been detrimental to trying get out an immigration bill that would help solve those challenges that are facing our country," Sanchez said.

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) announced last month he wouldn't seek reelection in 2012, prompting several candidates to surge into the GOP primary for the open seat. The field now includes former Rep. Heather Wilson (R-N.M.), businessman and former congressional candidate Greg Sowards and Bill English.

Sanchez said he would decide on a run "relatively soon."