Mark Ronchetti

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

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]

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