Democratic candidate running in toss-up race called to end oil and gas 'immediately,' said 'shut it all down'

foxnews.com:

A Democratic candidate for Congress from New Mexico is looking to walk back recently unearthed comments he previously made indicating he supported ending oil and gas extraction "immediately."  Gabe Vasquez, a former city council member of Las Cruces, New Mexico, said in 2018 he agreed with environmentalists who sought to get rid of oil and gas extraction "immediately" in favor of renewable energy.

As the November midterm elections approach, Vasquez has recently called the oil and gas industry "incredibly important to this district" not just for the extraction companies themselves, but for the small businesses that support the fossil fuel industry.

Vasquez, who is running against incumbent Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell in the 2nd Congressional District that covers most of the southern half of New Mexico, said on his "Nuestra Tierra Conservation Podcast" several years ago that he agreed with environmental groups who say, "Shut it all down.

Let's just get rid of it immediately."  A pump jack operates in front of a drilling rig near Carlsbad, N.M.  (REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo) However, he also criticized some in the environmental movement who ignored local communities' reliance on oil and gas industries for their survival.  "In the very statement referenced, I make absolutely clear that my top priority is protecting the livelihoods of New Mexicans and that I will not support any transition to sustainable energy that leaves working people who rely on the oil and gas industry behind," Vasquez told Fox News Digital Wednesday in a statement.  "We can continue to produce oil and gas responsibly, protect the health of our workers and our environment, and add even more jobs in the southeast by expanding our renewable energy.