Most of the Republican gubernatorial contenders have so far taken similar stances on "standard Republican themes," as New Mexico pollster Brian Sanderoff called them.

Less taxes and less government, and attacks on Democrats unpopular with the Republican base. That includes trying to equate Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, the Democratic candidate, with incumbent Gov. Bill Richardson.

The New Mexican recently sent a detailed questionnaire asking yes-or-no questions on a variety of issues. A spokesman for Allen Weh said he would not participate in the questionnaire because he didn't like the yes-or-no format.

Several of the questions dealt with whether they would dismantle certain programs, policies, laws and purchases that were hallmarks of the Richardson administration.

All but state Rep. Janice Arnold-Jones, who has been endorsed by a state employee union, said they would work to repeal the law that allows state workers to unionize and engage in collective bargaining with the state for salary and benefits.

On transportation issues, all said they would sell the state's Cessna Citation Bravo, which was purchased by the Richardson administration. However, the Rail Runner Express commuter train system built by the current administration is more complicated.

"It may come to that, but I doubt at this point we would even find a buyer," Arnold-Jones said.

"Had I been governor, I would not have supported the Rail Runner as it exists today," Susana Martinez said. "However, we now have the train and must look at ways to make the Rail Runner a more self-sustaining operation that is less draining on the taxpayers, or try to sell it to a private operator."

Turner said, "I will either find a way to make it less of a drain on the state, or I will mothball it."

Pete Domenici Jr. said he'd get rid of the railroad "only as a last resort."

None of the Republicans who answered the questionnaire gave blanket approval for film-industry incentives established under Richardson. "I know of no other industry that gets a 25 percent credit against the expenses of operating the business," Arnold-Jones said.

Both Turner and Martinez noted there have been conflicting studies as to how effective the film incentive programs have been. "We must do a better job ensuring these incentives are truly helping the economy," said Martinez, who promised to conduct a third economic study of the film industry.

"I will evaluate which of the incentives benefit New Mexicans and will eliminate any that we cannot afford," Turner said.

All four said they would not continue to pay a Washington, D.C., lobbyist. Richardson contracted with the Blank Rome company, which the state pays $120,000 a year to lobby Congress for the state. "I will make sure that our congressional delegation properly fights for our state," Turner said.

Arnold-Jones and Martinez said they'd get rid of the foreign trade offices the state maintains in Taiwan, Japan and Israel. Domenici said he probably wouldn't maintain those offices. Turner, however, said he'd keep the trade offices.

All four disagree with former Republican Gov. Gary Johnson, who says marijuana should be legalized. But when asked if they would scuttle the state's medical marijuana program, which was started by Richardson, Martinez said yes, while Turner, Domenici and Arnold-Jones said no.

All the candidates except for Arnold-Jones have said they favor bringing back the death penalty in some form. (Richardson signed a bill to repeal it.) As a legislator, Arnold-Jones voted twice for repealing capital punishment. "As a fiscal conservative, I simply cannot see spending over millions of dollars to prosecute a death penalty case, with its automatic appeals and endless legal fees the taxpayer must bear. I support mandatory life sentences for those convicted of murder without the possibility of parole."

On immigration, all the GOP candidates have given lip service to varying degrees to the controversial illegal-immigration law signed into law last month in Arizona, saying New Mexico should tighten its own laws. Doug Turner is the only Republican contender who has voiced any specific criticism for the Arizona law. He said some parts of it could legitimize racial profiling.

On another immigration question, Martinez, Turner and Arnold Jones said yes when asked whether the state should "crack down on businesses that hire undocumented workers." Domenici answered no.

All four said they would veto a bill that would establish domestic-partnership rights for same-sex couples.

There was disagreement about establishing a state ethics commission. "Corruption must be dealt with by law enforcement, not turned over to another toothless bureaucracy," Martinez said. Arnold-Jones also said no, pointing out that an ethics commission bill considered this year by the Legislature "punished whistle-blowers in ways that exceeded the penalties for those proven to have engaged in unethical acts, and in no way did it create an open and transparent process."

Turner said he supports such an ethics commission, adding, "Such a commission must be independent, nonpolitical and should not cost the taxpayer a dime." Domenici said he'd support a commission "or something like it."

Turner, Martinez and Arnold-Jones said they are against a bill that surfaced in the Legislature this year, which would have created an office of special counsel to recover funds lost by state investment bodies. But Domenici said he'd support a special counsel.

Asked whether they'd sign a bill that would give preference to small community banks for depositing state funds, Domenici and Turner said yes, while Martinez said she'd support "a points system that would help small community banks compete against larger ones." Arnold Jones said, " ... to put it in statute says the State is NOT open for business and would probably put us in conflict with many interstate commerce regulations."

All GOP candidates support the state's concealed-carry gun laws. When asked whether they'd ease current requirements for residents to get concealed-carry licenses, there was disagreement. Martinez, who said she personally has such a license, said she supports the current law. Arnold-Jones said she would keep the current training requirements, though she'd "improve the license renewal process, which is currently late and unpredictable." Domenici said he wouldn't make any significant changes.

Turner said he would ease the requirements.

While all expressed some affinity for Arizona's immigration law, all four said they would not sign another controversial bill passed by the Arizona House of Representatives — the "birther bill," which would require the secretary of state to review a presidential candidate's birth certificate before that candidate could get on the ballot in the state.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.