Perhaps inevitably, Republican gubernatorial candidates are attacking Democratic candidate Diane Denish over Governor Bill Richardson’s statement that tax increases are “inevitable” during January’s legislative session.

“It’s hard to know which is worse: having the Richardson-Denish administration give up without a fight and raise taxes to solve a budget shortfall, or knowing that the only reason the tax hikes are ‘inevitable’ in the first place is because of their own reckless spending,” former Republican Party chairman Allen Weh said in a statement e-mailed Tuesday.

“The Governor’s admission today that tax increases are ‘inevitable’ is further proof that the reckless fiscal policies of the Richardson/Denish Administration have left our state bankrupt,” Doña Ana County District Attorney Susana Martinez said in a statement.

Richardson said yesterday that in addition to the tax increases, there will also be “significant cuts” in spending.

“We have a serious budget shortfall and we have to deal with it,” Richardson told reporters yesterday.