Garrey Carruthers

Garrey Carruthers
27th Governor of New Mexico
In office January 1, 1987 – January 1, 1991
Lieutenant	Mike Runnels
Preceded by	Toney Anaya
Succeeded by	Bruce King
Personal details
Born	Garrey Edward Carruthers August 29, 1939 Alamosa, Colorado, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Profession	Professor

Garrey Edward Carruthers (born August 29, 1939) is an American politician, academic and former Governor of New Mexico who currently serves as president of New Mexico State University (NMSU). He previously served as special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture from 1974 to 1975, director of the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute at NMSU, state chair of the Republican Party Of New Mexico from 1977 to 1979, and assistant Secretary of Interior for land and resources from 1981 to 1984.^[1]

Carruthers earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from New Mexico State University. He has a Ph.D. in economics from Iowa State University.

Carruthers, a Republican, was elected the 27th Governor of New Mexico in 1986. A major focal point of the race was reinstating the death penalty, resulting in outgoing Democratic Governor Toney Anaya commuting the sentences of all men on death row in protest.^[2] Carruthers term ended in 1991. Carruthers could not seek reelection, since at that time, New Mexico term limits did not allow governors to seek consecutive terms. Carruthers was replaced by returning Democratic governor Bruce King.

After leaving office, Carruthers was president and CEO of the Cimarron Health Plan from 1993 to 2003,.^[1] In 2003, Carruthers was named dean of NMSU's College of Business. He helped establish NMSU's economic development operation, the Arrowhead Center, and served as the university's vice president for economic development. Carruthers also helped found NMSU's Domenici Institute and serves as its director.^[3] In May 2013 Carruthers was elected president of NMSU by the Board of Regents in a 3-2 vote.^[4]

Views on Science

Questioned by faculty at an on-campus meeting on his candidacy to become NMSU president in 2013, Carruthers said that there was not a scientific consensus on climate change. He stated: "I don't know. I'm an economist. I don't do global warming. It's a scientific judgment that I can't make."^[5] Concerns were also raised about Currther's role in the tobacco industry lobby group, tobacco industry lobby group, The Advancement of Sound Science Coalition (TASSC), which he served as Chair from 1993 to 1998.^[6]

In a letter, four state representatives said that science, particularly climate change, is an essential issue for NMSU. They raised concerns about Carruthers' involvement in TASSC. The state representatives said TASSC had "a clear history of industry involvement in staking out positions opposing now widely held beliefs regarding public health and the environment."^[7] In response, Carruthers expressed disagreement with the stance of TASSC on the risks of second-hand smoke. "I'm four-square against second-hand smoke," Carruthers said in an interview with the Albuquerque Journal. "I don't think people should smoke, and second-hand smoke is detrimental to other people's health."^[8]

References

1. "New Mexico Governor Garrey E. Carruthers". National Governors Association. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
2. "Death: Penalty Parting Shot". Time Magazine. 1986-12-08.
3. "About the President".
4. "Former Gov. Garrey Carruthers to lead New Mexico State University". Santa Fe New Mexican. Associated Press. May 6, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
5. Rene Romo (2013-04-23). "Carruthers makes pitch for NMSU president seat". Albuquerque Journal.
6. Romo, Rene (May 2, 2013). "Carruthers led effort backed by tobacco firm". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 31, 2014.
7. Lindsey Anderson (2013-05-02). "State reps rap Carruthers over tobacco, climate change views". Las Cruces Sun-News.
8. Rene Romo (2013-05-02). "Carruthers led effort backed by tobacco firm". Albuquerque Journal.