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ProgressNow New Mexico Progressive Voters Guide
Welcome to the New Mexico Progressive Voters Guide! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!
Las Cruces School District
Patrick Nolan is running for Las Cruces School Board, District 1. Nolan was appointed to the seat in April of 2023, following the resignation of the previous member. He is also the father of a Las Cruces Public Schools student. Nolan is the current Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, dedicated to protecting public lands and previously worked on several educational issues during his time as Union Representative for the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico.
Nolan’s daughter attending the school district, and his desire to make school a critical piece to overall community well being, are what drives his interest in continuing to serve his seat in Las Cruces Public Schools, District 1. Patrick Nolan’s priorities are to support staff; address transportation issues; ensure well maintained, safe, and well-designed buildings; and provide more options for after school programs for students.
We recommend Patrick Nolan for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 1.
Patrick Nolan is running for Las Cruces School Board, District 1. Nolan was appointed to the seat in April of 2023, following the resignation of the previous member. He is also the father of a Las Cruces Public Schools student. Nolan is the current Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, dedicated to protecting public lands and previously worked on several educational issues during his time as Union Representative for the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico.
Nolan’s daughter attending the school district, and his desire to make school a critical piece to overall community well being, are what drives his interest in continuing to serve his seat in Las Cruces Public Schools, District 1. Patrick Nolan’s priorities are to support staff; address transportation issues; ensure well maintained, safe, and well-designed buildings; and provide more options for after school programs for students.
We recommend Patrick Nolan for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 1.
Endorsed By: Dreams in Action
,
Equality New Mexico
,
NEA New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
Working Families Party New Mexico
Patrick Nolan is running for Las Cruces School Board, District 1. Nolan was appointed to the seat in April of 2023, following the resignation of the previous member. He is also the father of a Las Cruces Public Schools student. Nolan is the current Executive Director of the non-profit organization, Friends of Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks, dedicated to protecting public lands and previously worked on several educational issues during his time as Union Representative for the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico.
Nolan’s daughter attending the school district, and his desire to make school a critical piece to overall community well being, are what drives his interest in continuing to serve his seat in Las Cruces Public Schools, District 1. Patrick Nolan’s priorities are to support staff; address transportation issues; ensure well maintained, safe, and well-designed buildings; and provide more options for after school programs for students.
We recommend Patrick Nolan for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 1.
Endorsed By: Dreams in Action
,
Equality New Mexico
,
NEA New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
Working Families Party New Mexico
Other Candidates
Patrick Nolan is being challenged by Joseph Sousa. No public information could be found on Joseph Sousa, leading us to assume he is not making a real run for this seat.
Patrick Nolan is being challenged by Joseph Sousa. No public information could be found on Joseph Sousa, leading us to assume he is not making a real run for this seat.
Teresa Tenorio is running for her second term as Las Cruces School Board Member for District 4. Tenorio is currently the President of the Board. In her first term, she fought hard for equitable policies; stood with students and teachers on policies such as Equity and Excellence for All Students and Gender Inclusion in Schools; as well as oversaw two difficult transitions for the Superintendent. Tenorio routinely speaks up during meetings for good policy. She is also extremely active in the community and schools, regularly showing up for -- and participating in -- events with teachers and students.
Tenorio’s years of experience in the education sector, and having three children of her own attending Las Cruces Public Schools, drive her interest in running for reelection. Beyond her school board responsibilities, legislatively she supported the safe storage act for firearms, funding for energy efficiency in schools, 80/20 health insurance for school employees, and funding to meet student health needs. Tenorio’s priorities are to make sure the foundation of education is strong for our children through policy, budget, and support and oversight of the superintendent.
We recommend Teresa Tenorio for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 4.
Teresa Tenorio is running for her second term as Las Cruces School Board Member for District 4. Tenorio is currently the President of the Board. In her first term, she fought hard for equitable policies; stood with students and teachers on policies such as Equity and Excellence for All Students and Gender Inclusion in Schools; as well as oversaw two difficult transitions for the Superintendent. Tenorio routinely speaks up during meetings for good policy. She is also extremely active in the community and schools, regularly showing up for -- and participating in -- events with teachers and students.
Tenorio’s years of experience in the education sector, and having three children of her own attending Las Cruces Public Schools, drive her interest in running for reelection. Beyond her school board responsibilities, legislatively she supported the safe storage act for firearms, funding for energy efficiency in schools, 80/20 health insurance for school employees, and funding to meet student health needs. Tenorio’s priorities are to make sure the foundation of education is strong for our children through policy, budget, and support and oversight of the superintendent.
We recommend Teresa Tenorio for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 4.
Teresa Tenorio is running for her second term as Las Cruces School Board Member for District 4. Tenorio is currently the President of the Board. In her first term, she fought hard for equitable policies; stood with students and teachers on policies such as Equity and Excellence for All Students and Gender Inclusion in Schools; as well as oversaw two difficult transitions for the Superintendent. Tenorio routinely speaks up during meetings for good policy. She is also extremely active in the community and schools, regularly showing up for -- and participating in -- events with teachers and students.
Tenorio’s years of experience in the education sector, and having three children of her own attending Las Cruces Public Schools, drive her interest in running for reelection. Beyond her school board responsibilities, legislatively she supported the safe storage act for firearms, funding for energy efficiency in schools, 80/20 health insurance for school employees, and funding to meet student health needs. Tenorio’s priorities are to make sure the foundation of education is strong for our children through policy, budget, and support and oversight of the superintendent.
We recommend Teresa Tenorio for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 4.
Other Candidates
Julia Ruiz is challenging Teresa Tenorio. There is very little public information available on Ruiz. Julia Ruiz’ campaign is endorsed by and being shared by the “Coalition of Conservatives in Action,” a group of MAGA Republicans in Las Cruces who have been organizing and agitating at the local level for a couple of years.
No public information could be found on Edward Posey Howell, leading us to assume he is not making a real run for this seat.
Julia Ruiz is challenging Teresa Tenorio. There is very little public information available on Ruiz. Julia Ruiz’ campaign is endorsed by and being shared by the “Coalition of Conservatives in Action,” a group of MAGA Republicans in Las Cruces who have been organizing and agitating at the local level for a couple of years.
No public information could be found on Edward Posey Howell, leading us to assume he is not making a real run for this seat.
Edward “Ed” Frank is running for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5. Ed Frank was a math teacher for 39 years at the middle school, high school, and community college levels. Frank has previously served as an Las Cruces Public Sc hools (LCPS) board member after being elected in 2015. He was a progressive member of the board and continues to advocate for student safety, valuing teachers, and improving standards and evaluations for students and teachers. Frank previously served as the Vice-President of the National Educators Association in Pennsylvania.
Franks’ 39 years as a teacher drives his interest in running for school board. Ed Frank’s priorities are for all students to feel safe at school; for educators to feel valued and appreciated; to implement appropriate and multi-faceted evaluations for students and educators; and to have exceptional student outcomes.
We recommend Ed Frank for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5.
Edward “Ed” Frank is running for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5. Ed Frank was a math teacher for 39 years at the middle school, high school, and community college levels. Frank has previously served as an Las Cruces Public Sc hools (LCPS) board member after being elected in 2015. He was a progressive member of the board and continues to advocate for student safety, valuing teachers, and improving standards and evaluations for students and teachers. Frank previously served as the Vice-President of the National Educators Association in Pennsylvania.
Franks’ 39 years as a teacher drives his interest in running for school board. Ed Frank’s priorities are for all students to feel safe at school; for educators to feel valued and appreciated; to implement appropriate and multi-faceted evaluations for students and educators; and to have exceptional student outcomes.
We recommend Ed Frank for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5.
Edward “Ed” Frank is running for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5. Ed Frank was a math teacher for 39 years at the middle school, high school, and community college levels. Frank has previously served as an Las Cruces Public Sc hools (LCPS) board member after being elected in 2015. He was a progressive member of the board and continues to advocate for student safety, valuing teachers, and improving standards and evaluations for students and teachers. Frank previously served as the Vice-President of the National Educators Association in Pennsylvania.
Franks’ 39 years as a teacher drives his interest in running for school board. Ed Frank’s priorities are for all students to feel safe at school; for educators to feel valued and appreciated; to implement appropriate and multi-faceted evaluations for students and educators; and to have exceptional student outcomes.
We recommend Ed Frank for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5.
Other Candidates
Ed Frank is challenging incumbent Carol Lynn Cooper for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5. Cooper has previously served as president of the Republican Women of the Mesilla Valley and is currently the only conservative member of the Las Cruces School Board.
It was called to our attention that Jose Aranda filled out a questionnaire in September that we unintentionally overlooked. We have apologized to the candidate for that oversight and extend our apologies to the community for this oversight as well. This section was updated 10/30/23. Jose Aranda is an Instructional Librarian at the Dona Ana Community College. His stated priority is to be an advocate for both students and teachers; specifically to improve test scores, mental health, and literacy rates. Aranda also states that he would focus on policy that is inclusive and equitable. When asked about support for school based health centers, Jose Aranda stated he did support them. However, when asked for more information, he indicated that he was unsure of whether school based health centers should be located within the schools themselves. As an organization that highly supports school based health centers, Aranda's statement gives us some pause. Since the first publishing of this website, a campaign Facebook page was created for Jose Aranda. While the Facebook page does not have any policy statements, it has links to a number of interviews with Aranda.
Ernest B. Carlson, IV works as a financial advisor and appears to hold conservative views though the only public information about his positions are on his campaign Facebook page.
Ed Frank is challenging incumbent Carol Lynn Cooper for Las Cruces Public Schools, District 5. Cooper has previously served as president of the Republican Women of the Mesilla Valley and is currently the only conservative member of the Las Cruces School Board.
It was called to our attention that Jose Aranda filled out a questionnaire in September that we unintentionally overlooked. We have apologized to the candidate for that oversight and extend our apologies to the community for this oversight as well. This section was updated 10/30/23. Jose Aranda is an Instructional Librarian at the Dona Ana Community College. His stated priority is to be an advocate for both students and teachers; specifically to improve test scores, mental health, and literacy rates. Aranda also states that he would focus on policy that is inclusive and equitable. When asked about support for school based health centers, Jose Aranda stated he did support them. However, when asked for more information, he indicated that he was unsure of whether school based health centers should be located within the schools themselves. As an organization that highly supports school based health centers, Aranda's statement gives us some pause. Since the first publishing of this website, a campaign Facebook page was created for Jose Aranda. While the Facebook page does not have any policy statements, it has links to a number of interviews with Aranda.
Ernest B. Carlson, IV works as a financial advisor and appears to hold conservative views though the only public information about his positions are on his campaign Facebook page.