A "Johnson-ite," but not a carbon copy

Doug Turner has quite an impressive resume. The lifelong New Mexican has an MA from the Universite libre de Bruxelles in Belgium. He has lived and worked overseas in politics for both the Japanese Democratic Party (not the same as the US Democrats), and the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.

He's the owner of a successful public relations firm. He has worked for former US Senator and budget hawk Pete Domenichi. And he's worked for his Dad, former US Senate candidate Bill Turner. He is the former Chairman of the Albuquerque Business Development Commission.

But it's his win as Campaign Manager for now prospective Republican Presidential candidate Gary Johnson for Governor, that may gain him the most gravitas. Turner is one of several Republicans vying for a shot to fill the shoes of retiring Democrat Governor Bill Richardson, in what most experts see as a banner GOP year, even in an increasingly blue Western State.

Turner has Johnson's enthusiastic backing:

"I think he'd do a great job as Governor. He's a very good people person. He's sharp, and he communicates well. Doug's got all the ingredients."

Turner was recently featured in the Albuquerque Journal, Jan. 3:

Although he shares some libertarian perspectives with Johnson, Turner said people shouldn't expect a carbon copy of the former governor. Turner said he would be a more pragmatic leader, getting things accomplished -- boosting the state's energy economy and improving education are big Turner priorities -- rather than just saying no to a Democratic Legislature.

"But if we want to look at the issues that directly affect most New Mexicans, and if we as Republicans have an expectation we can win in this state, then we have to talk about the issues that are important to most people."

And what are his main issues? Three actually: Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs.

What does he see as the biggest impediement to his Jobs Agenda? Government Regulations.

Turner wants to see the Enchanted State adopt a more friendly Pro-Business attitude much like their Lone Star State neighbors. From his campaign website:

"I love this State. But trying to run a business here is tough... it's really tough. In fact, I was in Hobbs, speaking to some small businessmen there, and they said they were running 10 miles across the border to Texas where you don't have to do with the same rules. So, I'm running cause I want to see New Mexico have a regulatory environment, that allows businesses to do business."

Watch a brief video on his policy agenda at his campaign website - Doug Turner, Jobs and Economic Growth.