Martin Heinrich Recognized as Champion for New Mexico Seniors

Press Release

Today, at an event in Albuquerque, the Alliance for Retired Americans announced their endorsement of Martin Heinrich for U.S. Senate and Michelle Lujan Grisham for U.S. House. ARA represents more than 4 million members nationwide, including more than 14,000 members in New Mexico.

"The Alliance supports Martin Heinrich for Senate because he believes strongly in the need to provide more affordable health care for older Americans, as well as the need for stronger retirement and pension security, and quality long term care. Martin has shown strong opposition to cutting Social Security and Medicare, including privatization, cuts in benefits and raising the eligibility age. He has confirmed his commitment to maintaining and improving the quality of life for older Americans earned a 100% perfect lifetime score for his pro-retiree votes in Congress, according to the Alliance for Retired Americans 2011 Voting Record," said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the ARA.

"I'm honored to have the endorsement of the Alliance for Retired Americans. Together, we will continue the work of protecting and strengthening vital programs like Social Security and Medicare so that seniors can live independently and with dignity now, and for generations to come," said Martin Heinrich. "I will fight any effort to privatize Social Security and Medicare, and will always stand on the side of New Mexico's seniors when these programs are at risk. We can and must reduce our deficit, but I will never agree to doing so on the backs of our seniors."

Always standing on the side of New Mexico seniors when Social Security and Medicare are at risk, Heinrich has also received the endorsement of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare and the Veterans and Military Families for Progress. Heinrich believes that we must keep the promises we've made to seniors, and he knows that generations of seniors have been able to live independently because of the safety net provided by these crucial programs.

New Mexico Field Staff for the Alliance for Retired Americans Terry Schleder said, "Martin Heinrich understands New Mexicans and will continue to fight to keep Seniors and the Middle Class strong. His record of opposing cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid is a winning one for retirees and aging workers who would lose-out under the GOP plan to privatize programs that make our state healthier and economically secure."

The son of an IBEW lineman and a factory worker, Heinrich has received overwhelming support from New Mexico's labor community.

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