Western Values Project Action released the full poll from New Mexico’s 3rd district on public lands after announcing the launch of their PUBLIC (Protecting the USA’s Beautiful Lands in Congress) Lands Campaign earlier in the day on a press call.
The full poll is available here.
The poll reveals a strong disconnect on public lands between Rep. Pearce and his constituents. Specifically, his constituents oppose proposed legislation that would reduce the size of the Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments and give presidents the power to remove protections for public lands with the stroke of a pen by a nearly two-to-one margin (33% support/63% oppose).
“These numbers should give Representative Pearce pause in his support of President Trump’s and Secretary Zinke’s attacks on our public lands,” said Chris Saeger, executive director of the Western Values Project Action. “While he already voted for some key anti-public lands legislation in committee, coming out against these bills would go a long way in New Mexico.”
The latest ad asks that if Rep. Pearce “truly supports public lands,” then he needs to come out against H.R. 4532 and H.R. 3990 – “two bills among many in Congress that would end protections of our national treasures.” H.R. 4532 would codify Trump’s reduction of Bears Ears National Monument and H.R. 3990 — which Rep. Pearce already voted for in committee — would eviscerate the Antiquities Act by allowing current and future Presidents to eliminate protections on public lands that were designated national monuments without congressional approval.
The ads will run in Rep. Pearce’s district and prompt constituents to call his office seeking clarification on his positions.