New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez is gaining national attention for his commitment to safeguarding minors online. His efforts to hold social media giants, including Meta, accountable for the safety of children on their platforms were recently highlighted in a feature by Time magazine. The article presents Torrez as an “unlikely antagonist for Big Tech,” noting that his office, located in New Mexico, is far removed from the influential circles of Silicon Valley or Washington, D.C.
In the article, Time describes Torrez, who is 49 years old and a career prosecutor, as someone with limited ties to the tech industry, aside from a brief stint at a startup in his 20s. Nevertheless, he is actively pursuing a campaign against what he perceives as the detrimental impact of social media on children. The magazine emphasizes his determination to address the challenges posed by these powerful platforms.
In a lighter political note, New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently used social media to support Janet Mills, the Governor of Maine, who is running for the U.S. Senate. In a video shared on her campaign account on X, formerly known as Twitter, Lujan Grisham urged viewers to contribute to Mills’ campaign, stating, “I’m asking you to consider chipping in $5 right now.” She praised Mills as a “good friend” and commended her leadership in Maine.
Lujan Grisham is also set to attend the Western Governors’ Association winter meeting scheduled for November 20-21, 2023, at the Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. This event will bring together governors from the western United States, including Spencer Cox of Utah, Josh Green of Hawaii, Greg Gianforte of Montana, and Mark Gordon of Wyoming. The agenda will cover critical issues such as the energy demands of data centers, the future of the Farm Bill, and broadband expansion.
During a recent podcast episode titled “No Doubt About It,” co-host Krysty Ronchetti humorously suggested starting a consultancy firm to advise Democratic candidates like Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman on their spending strategies. This comment reflects ongoing discussions about campaign financing and the role of consultants in political races.
With his focus on children’s online safety and active engagement in political fundraising, Torrez and Lujan Grisham exemplify how state leaders are addressing pressing issues while navigating the complexities of modern governance and campaigning.