As a candidate seeking the Republican nomination for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, Ed Tinsley says he plans to make sure the restaurant industry’s values “are represented and protected in Washington, D.C.” Tinsley, chairman of the National Restaurant Association from 2006-2007, says he is in a close race with opponent Aubrey J. Dunn Jr., who has assailed both Tinsley and the NRA over their positions on immigration reform.
Dunn, who favors the construction of a border fence and stepped-up enforcement of existing laws, claims that Tinsley and the NRA support a program of blanket amnesty, a claim Tinsley denies. “I’ve never supported amnesty and would never be for amnesty,” he said. “But we have a need for a better-run temporary worker program. We’re not talking about a band-aid approach here. We’re talking about a complete overhaul.”
What is your position on immigration?
We need a full immigration reform package. But the leadership of the NRA has never spoken about immigration reform without addressing border security. We need to address border security with more funding. But just putting up fences won’t solve the problem. We also have a need for a workforce in America that comes from abroad. And we are challenged to make sure we revamp the system intelligently. We need a better screening process. We need things like tamper-proof identity cards. And we have to make sure we have the right people to do those jobs.
How would you characterize the overall political picture in relation to the restaurant industry?
Our restaurant industry is squarely in the crosshairs of the Congress, and a tremendous number of Republicans are retiring, so Democrats are licking their chops. I’m also concerned that the White House might go to [Barack] Obama or Hillary Clinton. We’ve had a staunch defender in the White House for the past seven years. I see things weighing heavily on the industry.
What is another key issue facing the restaurant industry?
FAST FACTS HOME: The Flying W Diamond Ranch, Capitan, N.M.AGE: 55EDUCATION: accounting degree, University of Texas; law degree, Texas TechHOBBIES: riding and huntingCAREER HIGHLIGHTS: becoming chairman of the National Restaurant Association
One of the things that scares me the most is card-check legislation. It’s like a wolf in lamb’s clothing. Even the name [Employee Free Choice Act] is deceiving. What it really does is put small businesses and employees at risk of being intimidated by union organizers.
It runs contrary to the principles America was founded on. It’s been under the radar screen, but it’s bearing down on us.
Any other issues?
The economy. There is a tremendous amount of apprehension in the American public today. I’ve been a proponent of the tax cuts implemented over the last five years by President Bush. It’s important that those tax cuts be maintained. I think a lot of the fear is that we’ll end up seeing tax increases.
Where do you see the economy going over the next year?
I think we will certainly have a case of indigestion, but I don’t think we have to operate on the esophagus to cure it. The fundamentals are in place. We have to deal with high commodity and energy prices and some other issues, but I don’t see anything that should send anybody to the showers. Of course, if Congress starts thinking about rescinding all tax cuts, that could very well cause it to choke.
