McCain, Graham and Ayotte Stump for Heather Wilson

News release:

ALBUQUERQUE — Sens. John McCain, Lindsey Graham and Kelly Ayotte stumped for Heather Wilson Tuesday, telling New Mexico voters that she is the only candidate who will stand up to protect jobs at New Mexico's labs and bases.

"Massive across-the-board cuts in defense spending would have a devastating effect here in New Mexico — 20,000 jobs lost here in New Mexico,” Sen. McCain told KOB on Tuesday. “Heather has the background and knowledge and respect that she'd hit the ground running. Believe me — it is Sandia and Los Alamos that are the cutting-edge that keeps us ahead of our enemy. That's where the innovation and real technology of the future comes from. We can't afford these kind of cuts there.”

A new federal report finds that New Mexico might lose 20,000 jobs next year as a result of legislation. The legislation could slash the budgets for Los Alamos and Sandia labs by 9.4 percent, resulting in 20,000 jobs lost, according to the new report.

Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M. and Steve Pearce, R-N.M. voted against the legislation. Rep. Martin Heinrich voted to allow automatic cuts to defense spending.