Former New Mexico Governor Declares Candidacy for 2012 Presidential Race

(Gary Johnson) – Today, from the steps of the New Hampshire Capitol, I am announcing that I am formally declaring myself a candidate; I will be actively, passionately seeking the Republican nomination for the office of President.

In announcing my candidacy for President of the United States, I am setting out on the long path ahead, but I am not alone. I’ve always enjoyed climbing mountains, but this one is unique.

About a year and a half ago, I began traveling around the country and speaking about issues of the day. Americans in all 50 states are deeply concerned about our country’s future. They’re concerned about the enormous debt we have accrued, and they’re concerned about the precarious economic situation that has been created by decades of overspending. Most Americans understand that serious changes are needed, and that we can’t afford to simply kick the can down the road for another four or eight years.  

We should know by now that kicking the can down the road will just make the needed solutions seem even more difficult. We must address these problems, and there is no time as good as the present to begin this needed reassessment of American government.

So why am I the right person to serve as America’s 45th president?  

In response to that question, I first point to my record as Governor of New Mexico. The fact is that many Republicans like to talk about smaller government, but my record is unique in this regard. I have a record of actually reducing the size of government over the course of my eight years as Governor, and this was during a time in which other state governments were growing and becoming more expensive all across the country.

It wasn’t always easy. I had to veto over 750 bills in my quest to limit the growth of government, and many of those vetoes were of bills that were Republican-sponsored. It isn’t always easy to go against your own party, but I felt that my primary duty was to the hard-working, taxpaying people of New Mexico. I felt that our state would prosper with a smarter, more efficient government, and I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish during my 8 years in office.

When I ran for Governor of New Mexico in 1994, I promised to put issues first and politics last. Despite all those vetoes, I was re-elected in 1998 by a wider margin than I had won with in 1994. The lesson I drew from that experience was that people of both parties appreciate good stewardship of tax dollars.

That is what I delivered for New Mexico, and that is what I can deliver for the United States of America.

Now, lets move; we have a mountain to climb.