Mark V. Ronchetti (born October 1, 1973) is an American former political candidate and KRQE meteorologist. A member of the Republican Party, he was a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2020 and for governor of New Mexico in 2022.[1][2]

Mark Ronchetti
Ronchetti in 2018
Personal details
Born (1973-10-07) October 7, 1973 (age 51)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKrysty O'Quinn
Children2
EducationWashington State University (BA)
Mississippi State University (GrDip)
WebsitePodcast website

Early life and meteorology career

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Ronchetti was born in Dallas in 1973. The grandson of Italian emigrants, Ronchetti grew up in Shelburne, Vermont. He attended Washington State University, graduating with a degree in communications and political science, before moving to Colorado to take a job at a television station. He moved to Albuquerque in 1998 to become a meteorologist for KOAT-TV, then took up another job in Oregon. He returned to New Mexico in 2006 to join KRQE.[3][4]

Political career

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2020 United States Senate election in New Mexico

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Ronchetti announced his candidacy for the 2020 U.S. Senate election in New Mexico on January 7, 2020, to succeed retiring incumbent Democratic Senator Tom Udall.[5] Defeating two other contenders in the Republican primary,[6] he lost to Ben Ray Luján, the then-incumbent U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district, by a 6.1% margin, less than widely expected.[7]

2022 New Mexico gubernatorial election

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Ronchetti launched his campaign for New Mexico Governor on October 27, 2021.[8] He defeated State Representative Rebecca Dow, retired U.S. Army National Guard officer Gregory Zanetti, and two other candidates in the Republican primary.[9] Ronchetti lost to incumbent Democratic governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in the general election.

References

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  1. ^ Lee, Morgan (June 7, 2022). "Mark Ronchetti wins GOP primary for New Mexico governor". PBS. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  2. ^ Turner, Scott (January 7, 2020). "TV meteorologist joins New Mexico US Senate race". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  3. ^ Contreras, Russell. "Meteorologist Mark Ronchetti to run for US Senate in New Mexico". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  4. ^ "Ronchetti embraces outsider label in GOP primary - Albuquerque Journal". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2022-10-28.
  5. ^ Turner, Scott (January 7, 2020). "TV meteorologist joins New Mexico US Senate race". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 7, 2020.
  6. ^ Boyd, Dan (June 3, 2020). "Ronchetti wins GOP primary race for Senate seat". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  7. ^ Rosenberg, Benjamin (November 4, 2020). "Ben Ray Luján's win holds New Mexico's open Senate seat for Democrats". Vox. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  8. ^ "Mark Ronchetti enters Republican race for governor of New Mexico". Las Cruces Sun News. Associated Press. October 27, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  9. ^ Lee, Morgan (June 7, 2022). "Mark Ronchetti wins GOP primary for New Mexico governor". PBS. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
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Party political offices
Preceded by Republican nominee for U.S. Senator from New Mexico
(Class 2)

2020
Most recent
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of New Mexico
2022