Roswell Daily Record
By Lauren E. Toney, Staff Writer

Republican Earl Greer, a real estate broker from Truth or Consequences, recently announced he will run for the Second Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Steve Pearce.

Greer was raised by pioneer Sierra County ranchers in southwestern New Mexico. A proud Hispanic, Greer said that in the 1500s, his Spanish ancestors were among the original 12 settlers to come to what is now New Mexico. Greer said one of his ancestors was the first governor of the early settlements in the region.

Greer and his wife, Coleen, have been married 31 years and have four children and three grandchildren. Respect for the Hispanic culture, which he said is conservative and pro-family, and his ability to speak Spanish are assets Greer said will ensure that every constituent in the district will be heard.

When Greer first entered the real estate industry, he worked for a company which specialized in selling farms and ranches. Greer said he enjoyed working for the brokerage because “I knew I could represent those people well, and be an honest voice for farmers and ranchers.“

Greer previously ran for Congress in 2002 and the Public Regulation Commission in District 5 in 2006 unsuccessfully.

Watching his father improve people’s lives as Sierra County Commission chairman inspired Greer to run for office at the grassroots level.

“I have no visions of grandeur,“ he said. “I’ve just always felt I could make a difference.“

Greer said he launched a campaign at the grassroots because of the respect he holds for Republican Joe Skeen and his win in the 1980 Second Congressional District race as a write-in candidate.

“We as people cannot afford to be complacent,“ he said. “We must be vigilant in securing our borders - both north and south, Atlantic and Pacific.“

Greer said, “I am not in favor of building a fence from the Pacific to the Caribbean.“ While he does not believe the border fence is a viable solution to illegal immigration because of its cost and ineffectiveness, Greer said he does support keeping the National Guard at borders, and applauded Sen. Pete Domenici, who recently pushed legislation to broaden the role of the National Guard in securing the border.

“I am concerned about our economy, which is teetering precipitously,“ Greer said. If elected, he plans to balance the budget without raising taxes and make permanent the current Bush administration tax cuts.

Along those lines, Greer said the U.S. is suffering collateral damage because the nation is not energy independent or efficient. “For the sake of our defense and economy, we must drill on our own lands, and use the technology we have in order to do so without harming the environment,“ he said.

Greer said elected officials, no matter what party they represent, must leave personal agendas at the door and work together. That’s what he plans to do if elected.

“Some worry about being red, some worry about being blue,“ Greer said. “But whatever happened to red, white and blue?“