Rainaldi honored by local Baptists

By Elizabeth Hardin-Burrola
Staff writer

State Sen. Lidio G. Rainaldi

GALLUP — The Baptist Convention of New Mexico presented Gallup’s state Sen. Lidio G. Rainaldi a New Mexico Statesman Award for his leadership in the New Mexico Legislature.

The Rev. Jay McCollum of Gallup’s First Baptist Church presented Rainaldi with the award on Friday during an annual breakfast for state legislators in Santa Fe. The Baptist Convention of New Mexico, which represents the state’s organization of Southern Baptist churches, invites state legislators to the breakfast each year.

In an interview prior to the breakfast, McCollum said the Baptist organization’s Christian Life Committee sponsored this first-time award. McCollum, a member of the committee and a past president of the state’s Baptist Convention, said Rainaldi was chosen to be the recipient “because of his outstanding leadership and unwavering support of moral issues in the Legislature.”

“I know he’s been very supportive of what’s morally right in New Mexico,” said McCollum, adding that Rainaldi sometimes votes against the majority views promoted by his Democratic Party.

Baptist people in New Mexico are against laws that support same-sex marriage, abortion on demand, and embryonic stem cell research, McCollum said. Rainaldi, he added, has demonstrated similar opposition to such legislation in the past.

Rainaldi, when contacted on Monday, said he was surprised and honored by the award. “I deeply respect their consideration,” he said.

A Catholic, Rainaldi said he was surprised to be the first recipient of the Baptist organization’s award but agreed he shared many of their concerns.

However, Rainaldi declined to predict how he would vote on legislation involving the issues McCollum cited. He would have to read the specific bills first before making a decision, he said.

Rainaldi and McCollum agreed that while they shared many common concerns, they did not necessarily agree on everything. Rainaldi said it wasn’t possible — or even good — for politicians to agree 100 percent or disagree 100 percent with others.

“It’s got to be a conversation,” he said, explaining that his political decisions are based on trying to work out what’s best for the citizens of New Mexico.

“He and I would probably not agree on everything in terms of the liquor industry,” explained McCollum. Although McCollum said he doesn’t have a problem with “fair liquor dealing” or people’s right to purchase alcohol, as a minister in Gallup he is concerned about the problems caused by alcohol abuse because he routinely deals with alcoholics and their families.

In spite of that point of difference, McCollum praised Rainaldi’s political representation of the local community.

“I’m just very grateful we have quality leadership from Patty Lundstrom and Senator Rainaldi,” he said. John Pena was too new to the state Legislature, he added, for him to make a political judgment.

McCollum, however, didn’t have similar kind words for Gov. Bill Richardson. Citing the issues of same sex marriage and embryonic stem cell research, McCollum said he was “tired of the governor ramming his agenda” down upon the citizens on New Mexico.

“He needs to hear the voice of the people,” McCollum said, explaining that he would like to see those issues put to a statewide vote. “I believe people need to be involved in their legislative democracy,” he added.