Center for Civic Action Endorsements

Martin Heinrich is running for re-election to the US Senate. He has held the position since 2013, and serves as chairman of the Joint Economic Committee, chairman of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and previously as chairman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies subcommittee. 

Previously, Heinrich represented New Mexico's 1st Congressional District from 2009-13 and also served as an Albuquerque City Councilor, and Council President, from 2004-08. He has also run his own public affairs firm, led a nonprofit focused on educating young people on the environment and science, served on the executive committee of the Sierra Club's Rio Grande Chapter, and was appointed by NM Governor Bill Richardson to be the state's Natural Resources Trustee. 

Heinrich’s priorities include land conservation and protecting agriculture, ranching, and food systems, investing in infrastructure via rebuilding roads/bridges, expanding access to clean drinking water, and increasing high-speed internet access, protecting civil liberties and individual freedoms, expanding education, healthcare, and wellness programs, and leading efforts to grow jobs and the economy via renewable and clean energy.

His track record includes championing reproductive rights and healthcare – he advanced legislation protecting access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), contraception, and abortion, and co-sponsored Medicare-For-All legislation in 2017. He is a strong supporter of civil rights and was an original cosponsor of 2009 legislation to repeal the ban on gay marriage. Heinrich has advocated for and passed common sense gun safety laws, expanded health care access for veterans in both urban and rural areas, and led efforts to expand and invest in mental/behavioral services including specifically addressing the opioid/fentanyl public health crisis. 

Heinrich is also well known for his work supporting clean/renewable energy jobs and protecting the environment and public lands. He co-sponsored the Green New Deal in 2019, which would establish net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and led efforts to establish Columbine-Hondo Wilderness in the Carson National Forest, the creation of the Rio Grande Del Norte and Organ Mountains Desert-Peaks National Monuments, creating the Sabinoso Wilderness, expanded public access to the Valles Caldera National Preserve, Passed the Great American Outdoors Act to address billions of dollars of deferred maintenance on public lands, and designating White Sands as a National Park.

Martin Heinrich is being challenged by Nella Domenici. Domenici is the daughter of former US Senator Pete Domenici, who served from 1973 to 2009. Previously, she worked as CFO for Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund, and has also worked for Citadel and Credit Suisse. Domenici’s stated priorities include increasing oil and gas extraction while reducing regulations, spending more on border security and law enforcement, and lowering taxes. Additionally, on the topic of reproductive health, while she has labeled herself as moderate via TV ads, Domenici has donated close to $20K to extreme anti-abortion candidates, including Yvette Herrell and Mark Ronchetti in New Mexico, Adam Laxalt in Nevada, and her former Bridgewater CEO Dave McCormick in Pennsylvania. 

We highly recommend Martin Heinrich for US Senate based on his clear and consistent record of protecting civil and individual rights, investing in infrastructure, spurring sustainable economic growth and renewable/clean energy jobs, and championing public lands and the environment, which are essential to New Mexico’s heritage, traditions, and economy. 
 

Melanie Stansbury is running for re-election to New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. She has held the position since 2021, and serves on the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Before serving in Congress, Stansbury served in the NM State Legislature as House District 28 Representative from 2019-21. Previously, she worked as a STEM Educator and researcher on land and water issues across New Mexico, and as a staffer for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the White House Office of Management and Budget. She is a graduate of Cornell University, Saint Mary's College of California, and Cibola High School. 

Stansbury’s priorities include addressing the climate crisis through renewable energy and protection of natural resources, economic opportunity via fair wages, workplace protections, and supporting small businesses, increased access to healthcare including Medicaid expansion and protections for those with pre-existing conditions, and investing in public education including early childhood programs, higher education, and workforce development. 

Her track record includes: passing legislation promoting renewable energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, working to increase funding for public education and early childhood programs, supporting bills expanding Medicaid coverage and protecting healthcare access for vulnerable populations, collaborating with local businesses and organizations to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Melanie Stansbury is being challenged by Steve Jones. Jones describes himself as a graduate of the University of Houston, certified Public Accountant, retired Army Medic, and has also worked as a CFO and investor in the energy sector. His stated priorities are to improve the economy by lowering taxes and reducing government spending, spend more on border security, and protect the 2nd Amendment by promoting education and training while opposing any legislative or regulatory action. 

We highly recommend Melanie Stansbury for US Congressional District 1 based on her unique blend of scientific expertise and policy experience, and her track record on climate action, economic opportunity, healthcare access, education, and her close alignment with New Mexican values.
 

Gabe Vasquez is running for re-election to New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District. He has held the position since 2022, and serves on the House Armed Services Committee and House Agriculture Committee. 

Prior to serving in Congress, Vasquez was a member of Las Cruces City Council from 2017-21. Previously, he worked as Deputy Director of the Western Conservation Foundation, Deputy Director of New Mexico's chapter of the Wilderness Society, Director of Community Relations for the New Mexico Wildlife Federation, and was also executive director of the Las Cruces Hispano Chamber of Commerce and a Field Representative for Senator Martin Heinrich’s office. He is a graduate of New Mexico State University. 

Vasquez’ priorities include strengthening economic development by investing in renewable energy and promoting sustainable agriculture, protecting natural resources, improving healthcare by strengthening the Affordable Care Act, expanding Medicaid, and increasing funding for community health centers, and supporting veterans via mental health support and job training programs. 

His track record includes leading efforts to designate the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument, sponsoring legislation to return water rights and management to the Pueblo of Zuni, investing in smart technology to detect fentanyl at ports of entry, and providing a pathway to citizenship for essential workers and agricultural workforces. 

We recommend Gabe Vasquez for US Congressional District 2 based on his focus of creating good-paying jobs, protecting our land and water, improving healthcare, and supporting our veterans. 
 

Teresa Leger Fernandez is running for re-election to New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. She has held the position since 2021, and serves on the House Rules Committee, House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and is Vice Chair of the Congressional Democratic Women’s Caucus and a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

Previously, Fernandez was Founder & Primary Counsel at Leger Law & Strategy where her focus areas included impact litigation, community project financing, civil and voting rights, and tribal law. Prior to that, she worked as a General Counsel for Nordhaus Law, specializing in representing Native American sovereign entities and their business and social development entities. She has also served as a Clinton and Obama presidential appointee, White House Fellow on housing issues, Vice Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and as an acequia commission in Northern NM. Fernandez is a graduate of Yale University, received her law degree from Stanford Law School, and was born and raised in Las Vegas, New Mexico, 

Fernandez’ priorities include supporting local economies by improving access to education and job training programs, protecting and expanding access to affordable healthcare, particularly in rural areas, addressing the opioid epidemic by investing in mental/behavioral health programs, and building sustainable economic growth through investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, and small businesses. 

Her track record includes sponsoring or co-sponsoring legislation to return water rights and management to the Pueblo of Zuni, improve emergency obstetric services and training for rural areas, get unhoused disabled veterans into housing built exclusively for them on veteran land, and increase access to mental/behavioral programs for the opioid/fentanyl public health crisis. Additionally, Fernandez has advocated for a just transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy and clean energy jobs, Medicare for All, and to ban the sale of weapons of war including semi-automatic rifles. She also supports the DREAM Act, comprehensive immigration reform, and has advanced legislation to reinforce Native American communities in access to credit/finance as well as investing in Native community development financial institutions (CDFIs) to increase homeownership for tribal communities in rural areas.

Teresa Leger Fernandez is being challenged by Sharon E. Clahchischilliage. Clahchischilliage is a member of the NM Public Education Commission and served in the NM Legislature as the House District 4 representative from 2013-18. She has also worked as a special education teacher and for the Navajo Nation, and was nominated/appointed by George W. Bush and Heather Wilson to executive branch roles. While there is limited information on her priorities and proposed policy, her website states that she is focused on private lands issues, agriculture, and education. 

We highly recommend Teresa Leger Fernandez for US Congressional District 3 based on her close collaboration with our state’s tribes, nations, and pueblos, commitment to public service, and track record of investing in education, expanding healthcare access, and creating economic opportunities for all New Mexican families.
 

Cindy Nava is running for the open seat in Senate District 9. Nava left her appointment by the White House as Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development early this year in order to run for this seat. Prior to that Nava was Executive Director of Transform Education NM, managed/owned her own consulting firm, NAVA Strategies, and was the Political Director for Ben Ray Lujan’s U.S. Senate Campaign. Her volunteer and leadership experience includes serving on the board for Youth Development Inc. (YDI), and she is also a founding Board Member of the American Mexican Association (AMA-USA).

Nava’s personal experience of being undocumented, becoming a Dreamer (DACA recipient), and receiving her U.S. citizenship drives her passion to run for Senate District 9. Her priorities include improving education from early childhood through secondary education by increasing pay for educators and creating facilities that support learning, increasing investments in affordable housing and first-time home buyer programs as well as low interest loans, and making healthcare more affordable by reducing premium rates through New Mexico’s health exchange as well as focusing on recruitment and retention of high quality health care providers to New Mexico.

We highly recommend Cindy Nava for Senate District 9 based on her policy work, lived experience, and demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of all New Mexicans.

Katy Duhigg is running for re-election in the General Election for Senate District 10. Duhigg has held the position since 2021, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Judiciary and as a member of the Senate Committees’ Committee.

Katy Duhigg works as an attorney with Sutin Thayer & Browne, where she specializes in litigation. Before joining the firm, she ran her own law practice advocating for New Mexicans in consumer protection cases. Her expertise in election law led to her appointment as Albuquerque City Clerk in 2018, where she oversaw significant reforms to the city’s election code and ethics policies. Raised in Senate District 10, Duhigg comes from a family of local attorneys, small business owners, and public servants, and she also has leadership/volunteer experience with multiple boards and councils, including Common Cause New Mexico, the Bernalillo County Code of Conduct Review Board, and the RFK Charter School Governance Council.

Duhigg is motivated to run for re-election for Senate District 10 to continue her work and dedication to protecting vulnerable populations. Her advocacy in the state legislature over the past few years includes sponsoring and supporting critical bills like the Voting Rights Act, prohibiting intimidation of election officials, and protecting reproductive health and gender affirming care. She has also passed critical legislation to expand public financing for judicial candidates, allow non-major-party voters to participate in Primary elections, and protect lower-income patients from debt collection. She has also reinforced New Mexican families by closing loopholes in wage laws and ending predatory lending practices.

Katy Duhigg is being challenged by Republican Rudy Mora. Mora, a retired NM state police officer, has stated priorities that include the economy, border, and crime, which he would address via increased law enforcement in place of supporting policies that address the root causes of these issues. Given Mora’s positions, we do not recommend him for Senate District 10.

We highly recommend Katy Duhigg for re-election for Senate District 10 based on her voting record and her willingness to sponsor bills that make a difference in the lives of New Mexicans.

Phillip Ramirez is running in the General Election for the open seat in Senate District 12. A lifelong resident of Albuquerque's South Valley, Ramirez has spent his career working to improve the lives of New Mexicans. Currently, he works at his family business, a signatory company with the Local UA 412 union, as a project manager and is a Union Refrigeration journeyman. He was also appointed to the Construction Industry’s Commission in 2019, where he was also elected vice chairman in 2021. In addition to his professional experience, Ramirez is passionate about reinforcing young people and is active as a volunteer in little league baseball, serving as the district safety officer and umpire.

Phillip Ramirez is motivated to run for Senate District 12 by his belief that every New Mexican deserves access to quality education, affordable healthcare, and economic opportunities. Passionate about creating a more just and equitable society, his priorities include supporting a trade education curriculum in public schools by reintroducing courses like electrical and auto shops, lowering medical and prescription drug costs, and ensuring workers have a living wage to offer families a sense of financial stability. He also prioritizes investing in renewable energy, electrification, and clean energy jobs, and policies that ensure access to clean water. Additionally, he supports reinforcing and growing small businesses by streamlining permitting, increasing access to grants and low interest loans, and spurring local procurement within government agencies and large institutions.

We highly recommend Phillip Ramirez for Senate District 12 based on his background, experience, and focus on investing in education, healthcare, and New Mexican families.

Heather Berghmans is currently a policy analyst and finance consultant and recently worked as Finance Director for the New Mexico House Democratic Campaign. Previous roles include Director of Special Projects to Speaker of the House Javier Martinez, Policy Analyst for Speaker of the House Brian Egolf, and Lead Policy/Committee Analyst - New Mexico House of Representatives. She also served on the City of Albuquerque’s 2022 Redistricting Committee.

Prior to her policy and legislative work, Berghmans worked as an operations director for high growth e-commerce companies and on the administrative/operations team at New Mexico Kids Network. She received her undergraduate degree at UNM, and earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the UNM School of Public Administration.

Berghmans’ motivation to run for Senate District 15 comes from her passion for public service as a way of improving the lives of children, women, and families, and her experience with passing important policies in the legislature.

Over the last few years, Berghmans has played a critical role in the passage of policies related to protections for abortion access, gun violence prevention, access to education, working families rights, voting protections, and more. Her priorities include addressing housing and homelessness through an increase in affordable housing and rent control, public safety through improved gun control regulations, and healthcare equality through policies such as access to full spectrum healthcare and innovative initiatives to support our doctors, along with strategic expansion of telehealth and mobile health clinics.

Additionally, Berghmans supports expanding early childhood education and increasing educators' pay as well as zero dollar copays for healthcare, improving our economy by supporting both emerging industry and small businesses, and protecting our environment through a just transition to adopting renewable energy.

Heather Berghmans is being challenged by Republican Craig Degenhardt for Senate District 15. While Degenhardt’s campaign website has very little details on the policies he supports, a review of his platform and campaign Facebook shows he supports policies unfavored by New Mexicans such as increasing law enforcement presence to reduce crime, without mention of other safety programs for our communities, expanding “energy” sources by increasing oil & gas operations in our state, and addressing the current border crisis without stating any policies that would address the root cause of the issue.

We highly recommend Heather Berghmans for Senate District 15 based on her experience with policies in the state Legislature and her demonstrated commitment to New Mexicans.

Natalie Figueroa is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 30. Figueroa has held the position since 2019, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs committee and as a member of the House Appropriations & Finance Committee.

Figueroa works as a Spanish language teacher at Volcano Vista High School and holds a Tier III New Mexico Teaching License. Coming from a family of educators, her passion for teaching has earned her numerous grants and scholarships, and she is well known for her leadership/volunteer experience, including serving as a mentor teacher at UNM’s School of Education, and working with the American Council of Teachers of Foreign Language and the Southwest Conference on Language Teaching. She also volunteers at The Storehouse, Asbury Pie Café, and assists with tax preparation for older adults.

She is motivated to run for re-election for Senate District 18 because of her commitment to ensuring children have access to quality education, affordable healthcare, and a safe and healthy environment. Her advocacy and work in the state legislature over the past few years include supporting critical bills like Paid Family Medical Leave, prohibiting firearms at state drop boxes and polling locations, increasing the oil and gas royalty rate, establishing state clean energy standards, and protecting abortion access and gender affirming care. She has also voted in favor of investing in affordable housing, establishing a service members suicide prevention program, and increasing funding for early childhood education and care programs.

Natalie Figueroa is being challenged by MAGA Republican and Trump supporter Kurstin Johnson. Her top priority is addressing crime via harsher sentencing, including prosecuting smaller offenses like shoplifting and trespassing instead of addressing the root causes of crime. In 2022-24 candidates surveys, she stated she supports eliminating the Gross Receipts Tax and moving to a sales tax that would disproportionately impact working families. She also stated that the oil and gas industry “should be protected and offered pathways to increase production” and would like to see additional extraction, including uranium and rare earth minerals. Additionally, she opposes Paid Family Medical Leave and raising the state minimum wage to $15/hr.

We highly recommend Natalie Figueroa for Senate District 18 based on her legislative and voting record which demonstrate her consistency to safeguarding the values of New Mexicans.

Harold Pope Jr. is running in the General Election for re-election for Senate District 23. Pope has held the position since 2021, and currently serves as Vice Chair on the Senate Education Committee and as a member of the Senate Conservation Committee.

Prior to his election, Pope Jr. retired from the U.S Air Force with 20 years of service, where his roles included serving as a Program Manager, Chemist, and contributing to satellite programs, weapon systems, nuclear deterrence, and security cooperation efforts. He has also worked as a Facility Transition Advisor for the City of Albuquerque, and as a substitute teacher for Albuquerque Public Schools. He is well known for his leadership/volunteer work, including with the NAACP Albuquerque Chapter and International District Community Development Corporation. Pope Jr. is a graduate of UNM and the UNM School of Business.

Pope is motivated to run for re-election to Senate District 23 by his belief that every New Mexican deserves access to quality education, affordable healthcare, and economic opportunities. His priorities include improving education in our state through increased funding for public education, expanded access for early childhood education, increasing compensation for educators, and providing bilingual education and improving our economy by focusing on sustainable development, workforce training, small business support and investing in renewable energy and infrastructure. He also prioritizes expanding Medicaid coverage, protecting natural resources, and addressing public safety at the root causes through policies that invest in mental health and addiction services, promote criminal justice reform, and provide opportunities for youth and at-risk individuals.

Pope has consistently voted in favor of legislation that protects and strengthens New Mexican families, earning him recognition as a champion of social justice and community development. He voted to support Paid Family Medical Leave, requiring disclosure of AI-generated content in political advertising, requiring transparency in prescription drug costs, establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases and prohibiting firearms at state drop boxes and polling places, prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity, protecting abortion access and gender affirming care, establishing a $15 state minimum wage, and the Voting Rights Act.

Harold Pope Jr. is being challenged by Republican candidate Terry Lynn Aragon. Aragon’s priorities focus on cutting taxes and reducing government services, which would disproportionately harm low-income communities and communities of color.

We highly recommend Harold Pope Jr. for re-election for Senate District 23 based on his vote record, stated priorities, and proven track record of supporting policies that benefit everyday New Mexicans.

Carrie Hamblen is running for re-election in the General Election for Senate District 38. Hamblen has held the position since 2021, and currently serves as vice chair of the Senate Tax, Business & Transportation committee and as a member of the Senate Conservation committee.

She has worked as CEO and President of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce since 2012, and prior to that was an Operations Manager for KRWG FM where she also hosted classical and jazz programs, All Things Considered, Fresh Air, and Morning Edition. Hamblen’s leadership/volunteer experience includes serving as Board President for Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, Chair for Southern New Mexico PRIDE, President for Las Cruces - PFLAG, on the Leaders Circle of the Success Partnership for Ngage New Mexico, and regularly advocating for community schools, early childhood education, and nonprofit capacity building. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Texas at El Paso and a Masters in Communication Studies and Masters in Public Administration from New Mexico State University.

Hamblen’s priorities include addressing transportation and championing New Mexico’s transition to clean energy through renewable energy, with a focus on ensuring job training and work opportunities are available for rural residents. She also supports protecting reproductive health care, access to affordable healthcare, and improving economic development through fair wages alongside incentives and reduced regulations for small businesses.

Her track record demonstrates her commitment to New Mexican families, including voting in favor of paid family medical leave, prohibiting firearms at polling locations, increasing the oil and gas royalty rate, creating state clean energy standards, and protecting abortion access and gender affirming care. She sponsored a bill to make updates to the state Human Rights Act that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity and a bill that established the office of broadband access and expansion. She also cast a critical vote in 2021 that repealed the state’s 1969 abortion ban.

Carrie Hamblen is being challenged by Republican Samantha Barncastle Salopek. Barncastle Salopek’s priorities include instituting a tough on crime approach, increasing law enforcement, and decreasing permits for water and equipment for farmers. However, there is limited information beyond that on the policies she would advance, and Barncastle Salopek also has ties to one of the biggest farms in New Mexico that raises doubts about who she would represent.

We highly recommend Carrie Hamblen for re-election to Senate District 38 based on her proven commitment to representing New Mexican families in areas that include reproductive health, environmental protections, civil rights and voting, and investing in rural communities.

Amina Everett is running in the General Election for Senate District 40 against incumbent Republican Craig Brandt. Everett moved to New Mexico after retiring from the Illinois state government where she was an administrator for programs in the areas of conservation and social services, including emergency food assistance and medical care. Her leadership and volunteer experience in Rio Rancho includes completing the Rio Rancho Citizens Police Academy, serving as a board member of Rebuilding Together Sandoval County, member of the Rio Rancho Players Community Theater, and as Treasurer of the Rio Rancho Northwest Mesa NAACP. Everett grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated with a BA in Psychology and MBA from the University of North Carolina.

Everett’s passion to run for Senate District 40 comes from her experience growing up in St. Louis, MO, where she watched her parents work hard to support their family of six, and where she and her younger brother shared the challenge of being the first students of color to integrate an all-white elementary school. Her priorities include reproductive freedom, access to healthcare, quality of life, public safety, and public infrastructure.

She supports increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15/hr and ensuring cost of living increases are built into all job/wage levels. Additionally, she supports reproductive freedom and increasing access to free and affordable healthcare in both city and rural areas. Everett is also in favor of modernizing the legislature, continuing to increase access to voting and elections, and enhancing environmental protections for working families, including a one mile or more setback to protect children who live near oil and gas production facilities. She also supports the development of renewable energy and green businesses.

Everett is running against Republican incumbent Craig W Brandt. Brandt has held the position since 2013 and serves as the Minority Whip. His vote record over the last decade has demonstrated his misalignment with New Mexican values. Brant has regularly voted against increases in funding for educational programs, reproductive rights and abortion access, increases to the minimum wage, expanded healthcare coverage and access,and environmental protections. He has also consistently spread misinformation about immigration and other disinformation narratives on his social media profiles.

We recommend Amina Everett for Senate District 40 based on her stated priorities, experience navigating government and policy, and her leadership/volunteer work in the community.

Joseph Hernandez is running in the General Election for House District 4. Hernandez works as a community organizer and serves as Diné Energy Organizer for NAVA Education Project and NM Native Vote, focused on clean energy, solar adoption, and the energy transition act. Previously, he served as field organizer for Anthony Allison’s campaign for the New Mexico House of Representatives, as Committee President of Gadii’ahi-To’koi Chapter Community Land Use Planning Committee, and has also worked in a support staff role for the Navajo Nation Office of Youth Development, Shiprock Agency.

Hernandez is motivated to run for House District 4 by his experience as a community organizer, full-time advocate, and voice for working families at the legislature since 2020. His priorities include jobs and economic opportunity tied to solar development, increased access to healthcare, including mental health and substance abuse disorder care, and addressing the affordable housing shortage by bringing a modular home manufacturing facility to Shiprock. He also supports paid family medical leave, reproductive rights, and the removal of the state’s rent control ban as well as increased protections via a Renter’s Bill of Rights.

Joseph Hernandez is being challenged by Republican Lincoln Mark. There is limited public information on Mark, and no information on his priorities. He has previously worked as a Legislative Assistant and as a Prosecutor for the Navajo Nation. Mark is endorsed by the NRA Political Victory Fund and has attended events with Americans for Prosperity (AFP), a right-wing group that opposes access to healthcare and worker protections.

We highly recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4 based on his community organizing background, focus on sustainable economic growth, and experience representing the concerns of working families at the state legislature.

Javier Martinez is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 11. He has held the position since 2015 and currently serves as Speaker of the House and as a member of the House Judiciary and House Taxation and Revenue Committees.

Martinez is a long-time community organizer who currently works as Managing Director of National Policy for Abriendo Puertas | Opening Doors. Previously, he has also worked as Executive Director for Partnership for Community Action, and he began his career in 2000 as a community organizer in Albuquerque’s historic Barelas, Wells Park, and Sawmill neighborhoods.

Martinez’s passion to run for re-election to House District 11 stems from his childhood experience as an immigrant from Mexico whose parents came to the US in search of a better life for their children. His priorities and advocacy in the legislature over the past nine years has included supporting policies that ensure access to healthcare for all families, investments in early childhood education, and civil rights protections for all New Mexicans.

Martinez sponsored some of the most critical bills for New Mexican families over the past few years including the Voting Rights Act (2023), Establishing Income Tax Rebates (2023), Reducing Various Tax Rates (2022), Requires State Agencies to Implement Policies to Reduce Institutional Racism (2020) and Co-Sponsored the Constitutional Amendment allowing the use of the Permanent Fund to provide funding for early childhood education services. Additionally, he regularly votes to support environmental policies, common sense gun controls, expansion of affordable housing, and reproductive rights policies.

Javier Martinez is being challenged by Republican Bart Kinney. Kinney’s priorities include rolling back environmental protections, specifically the Energy Transition Act, and requiring unhoused people to “earn” the right to housing through treatment, as well as increasing police presence and incarceration, rather than programs that address the root causes of crime.

We highly recommend Speaker Javier Martinez for re-election to House District 11 based on his track record of supporting New Mexico’s working families by investing in early childhood education, access to healthcare, and voting and civil rights.

Miguel Garcia is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 14. Garcia has held the position since 1997 and currently serves as a member of the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee and member of the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Garcia’s occupation is listed as a retired K-5 teacher. While there is no public information available on his work history or legislative priorities, Garcia has regularly voted for environmental protections, common sense gun safety laws, reproductive health and abortion access, increased access to affordable housing, and investing in child well-being and early childhood education programs.

In recent sessions, Garcia voted to support affordable housing, paid family medical leave, prohibiting firearms at state drop boxes and polling locations, prohibiting intimidation of elections officials, requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content, establishing a service members suicide prevention program, requiring public colleges and universities to include information on affirmative consent during orientation, establishing state clean energy standards, protecting abortion and gender affirming care, requiring health insurance companies to provide reimbursement for mental health care, and expanded access to elections/voting via the Voting Rights Act.

Miguel Garcia is being challenged by Republican Konnie Legried. No public information could be found on Legried’s campaign.

We recommend Miguel Garcia for House District 14 based on his consistent voting history and commitment to policies that support New Mexicans.

Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 16. Gurrola Valenzuela has served in the seat since 2023, and is Vice Chair of the House Enrolling and Engrossing Committee and member of the House Education Committee and House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee.

Gurrola Valenzuela works as a Project Coordinator for Dual Language Education NM, and previously worked as a Bilingual Math teacher, Computer and Spanish teacher, and ESL tutor. Her leadership/volunteer experience includes serving as a Federation Representative for Albuquerque Teachers Federation, ESL tutor for adults and children, and as a Youth Minister.

Gurrola Valenzuela’s passion to run for re-election to House District 16 comes from her rich and diverse background as an immigrant, educator, woman, and engineer, and her desire to create a foundation of equity, fairness, and sustainability for all New Mexicans. Her priorities include strengthening education by fully funding early childhood, K-12, and extracurricular programs, and ensuring the recruitment and retention of excellent teachers. She also supports public safety measures through equipping law enforcement with essential tools to prevent gun violence and crime.

Additionally, she is committed to reducing homelessness through investments in evidence-based mental health and substance abuse programs, and by increasing affordable housing options. She also supports the expansion of New Mexico’s renewable energy, technology, film, and healthcare sectors to create good-paying, lifelong career opportunities.

Her voting record in past legislative sessions aligns with a focus on equitable education, fair wages and safe working conditions, clean energy, and social justice, including support for clean energy standards (HB 41), protecting abortion and gender affirming healthcare (SB 13), authorizing paid family medical leave (SB 3), and co-sponsoring legislation requiring public colleges and universities to include information on affirmative consent during orientation (HB 151) as well as requiring menstrual products in public schools (HB 134).

Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela is being challenged by Republican Leland Benwood Bohannon for House District 16. Other than confirmation of his candidacy for the seat, no public information was available on Bohannon’s campaign.

We highly recommend Yanira Gurrola for House District 16 based on her consistent support for education, investing in social services and healthcare access, and focus on reinforcing young people and meaningful economic development.

Janelle Anyanonu is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 19. She has held the position since 2023 and currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Enrolling & Engrossing Committee and as a member of the House Commerce & Economic Development and House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs committees.

Anyanonu is well known for her strong commitment to community service, including with St. John’s Episcopal Church where she is a choir member, and as a dedicated advocate for reproductive health and affordable housing in New Mexico. She is a graduate of Manzano High School and Wayland Baptist University.

She is motivated to run for re-election to House District 19 by her desire to ensure that the diverse voices of her district are heard and represented in Santa Fe. Her priorities include reinforcing working families and securing affordable housing, fighting for safe neighborhoods by addressing the root causes of crime and social ills, supporting and creating good paying jobs, making healthcare affordable, and driving infrastructure improvements. She also seeks to expand youth employment programs and provide meaningful career opportunities for young people.

Anyanonu focuses on advancing data-driven, evidence-based solutions, and her track record includes sponsoring and supporting legislation aimed at protecting reproductive rights, increasing the minimum wage, and addressing crime and homelessness. She voted in favor of Paid Family Medical Leave, establishing the Higher Education Trust Fund and the Higher Education Program, reducing state income tax rates, establishing state clean energy standards, establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases, requiring health insurance companies to provide reimbursement for mental health coverage, expanding voting rights, and protecting abortion and gender affirming care.

Anyanonu is being challenged for House District 19 by Republican Leanna Derrick. While Derrick does have some positive policies, like investing in affordable housing and promoting water rights/conservation, her website primarily blames unhoused individuals and immigration for public safety issues, and includes language that aligns with “The Great Replacement,” which is a white nationalist far-right conspiracy theory. She also supports increased policing and offers little about how she would address the root causes of crime and public safety.

We highly recommend Janelle Anyanonu for House District 19 based on her deep community roots, proven track record in advancing legislation for New Mexico’s working families, and commitment to enhancing public safety, education, and healthcare.

Cristina Parajón is running in the General Election for House District 25. She has held the position since being appointed by the Bernalillo County Commission in August of 2023 due to the resignation of Christine Trujillo, and currently serves as a member of the House Education Committee and the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee.

She currently works as a paralegal for New Mexico Legal Aid, and has previously worked as the Director of Strategy for New Mexico Human Services Department, and as the Administrator for the Gateway Center.

Parajón is motivated to run for House District 25 due to her family legacy of serving the community, and her personal experience living in rural Nicaragua with her parents as they trained community health workers. Her priorities include reducing homelessness by investing in affordable and environmentally friendly housing and increasing access to healthcare including preventative care and mental health as well as defend and expand reproductive rights.

Parajón will also prioritize economic development through creating jobs directly related to renewable energy such as wind and solar as well as reducing crime by reducing gun violence and enacting research driven approaches to reducing crime. Lastly, she aims to continue working alongside historically marginalized communities to ensure their voices are heard and represented in the NM House.

While Parajón has not yet served a full term as Representative for House District 25, her voting record provides context on her commitment to New Mexicans. In the 2024 Legislative Session, Parajón sponsored a bill requiring transparency in prescription drug costs, and appropriating funds for a pilot project on workforce development. She also co-sponsored three bills centered on amending the distribution of various state health insurance costs, establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases, and requiring public universities and colleges to include material on affirmative consent during orientation. Parajón also voted to support state affordable housing projects, paid family medical leave, prohibiting firearms at polling locations, and establishing state clean energy standards.

Cristina Parajón is being challenged by Denis Litvinenko, a Republican candidate, for House District 25. While there is minimal public information available on Litvinenko, he submitted a questionnaire to the New Mexico Business Coalition with some information on his positions, including stating that he does not support increased minimum wage or worker protections around paid time off and paid family medical leave.

We highly recommend Cristina Parajón for House District 25 based on her track record of service to the community and voting for increased access to healthcare, affordable housing, and common sense gun control measures.

Eleanor Chavez is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 26. She held the position from 2009-2012, and again starting in 2023-present. Chavez currently serves as the Chair of the House Enrolling and Engrossing committee and is a Member of the House Health and Human Services and House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs committees.

Chavez works as the Executive Director for National Union of Hospital and Healthcare Employees District 1199, and has previously worked as an Assistant Director and Community Engagement Coordinator for the American Federation of Teachers. Prior to that, her experience includes working as a social worker, community organizer, and an Educational Consultant. Her Volunteer/leadership experience includes serving as Vice-Chair of Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, and as Chair of Casa de Salud.

Chavez’s passion to run for re-election for House District 26 stems from her personal experience as a labor organizer and her family’s emphasis on education, leading to Chavez being the first in her family to earn a college degree. Her policy priorities include designing child welfare standards for CYFD to support children and case managers, requiring the Department of Health to minimum nursing staffing-to-patient ratios, conducting a study on medicaid managed care companies to determine how to better improve delivery of healthcare, and continuing to address the shortage of affordable housing.

Chavez has a strong track record of meeting the needs of New Mexians, including but not limited to voting for the establishment of affordable housing projects, paid family medical leave, establishing a service member suicide prevention program, reducing state income tax rates, establishing clean energy standards, and establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases. In the 2023 Legislative Session, Chavez voted to protect access to abortion and gender affirming care, prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, appropriating funds for environmental and cultural preservation, and the expansion of the voting rights act. Chavez’s vote record over the past two years shows her commitment to meeting the needs of New Mexicans across the state.

Eleanor Chavez is being challenged by Republican Patrick Sais. While Sais’ campaign website has little information related to his policies, a review of his campaign Facebook highlights his focus on increased funding for law enforcement, “election integrity” which is a code word for restricting voting laws, and “school choice” which would take funding away from public schools and allow parents to use it for private school access, benefiting the wealthy. His campaign Facebook page also regularly reshares mis and dis-information from known conspiracy theorist and election denier Audrey Trujillo.

We highly recommend Eleanor Chavez for re-election to House District 26 based on her strong vote history and personal organizing experience in the district she is representing.

Pamelya Herndon is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 28. She has held the position since 2021, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee, and as a member of House Appropriations and Finance Committee.

Herndon is a well-known practicing attorney, licensed in NM and CO, and leads as President and CEO of The Women's Center for Social Justice and Change. Previously, she was the Executive Director of Southwest Women's Law Center, and has also served as Deputy Cabinet Secretary for New Mexico’s General Services Department, General Counsel for the NM State Regulation and Licensing Department of New Mexico, Attorney in the Litigation Division of the NM Attorney General, and Senior Litigation Attorney for the Internal Revenue Service. She also has extensive leadership/volunteer experience, including with the American Association of University Women - Albuquerque Chapter, and as a board member for Emerge New Mexico and the Con Alma Health Foundation. She studied at Howard University and earned her law degree from the University of Texas.

Herndon’s motivation to run for re-election to House District 28 comes from her commitment to public safety, education, and economic equality. She has been a vocal advocate for reducing crime in Albuquerque, as demonstrated by her legislative efforts to enact common sense gun regulations. Herndon supports the Second Amendment while advocating for responsible gun ownership, and was a sponsor of Bennie’s Bill. She champions economic policies aimed at reducing the tax burden on seniors and working families and supports education by promoting significant salary increases for New Mexico's teachers and expanding mental health services in schools. Her legislative track record includes voting for increasing the amount annually transferred to the Early Childhood Education and Care Program Fund, protections for abortions and gender affirming care, establishing clean energy fuel standards, authorizing retirees to return to work without suspension of benefits, and she sponsored bills requiring increased transparency in prescription drug costs as well as expanding police training requirements.

Pamelya Herndon is being challenged by Republican Marcie May. While there is confusing/mixed information available publicly on May’s priorities, she has stated she would repeal abortion rights in New Mexico and has shared dis/misinformation on immigration and border policy in candidate questionnaires and on social media, including “The Great Replacement,” which is a white nationalist far-right conspiracy theory. She also supports oil and gas producers, opposes environmental regulations, and has shared misinformation on the Green New Deal and elections/voting.

We highly recommend Pamelya Herndon for House District 28. As a dedicated public servant whose extensive legal background, advocacy for public safety, economic reform, and educational support make her the clear choice to continue representing New Mexico's House District 28.

Dr. Elizabeth Torres-Velásquez is running in the General Election for House District 30. Dr. Torres-Velásquez is a respected educator with a Ph.D. in education and a long-time member of the Democratic Party. Her professional journey includes working as an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico for 30 years, where she has been involved in university governance, serving on the Academic Freedom and Tenure committee and Faculty Senate.

Renowned for her expertise in the areas of bilingual and multicultural education, learning disabilities, and Latino/Hispanic education access, Dr. Torres-Velásquez has earned numerous accolades for her work. Her commitment extends beyond academia into pivotal community roles, including her leadership with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fun and the Latino Education Task Force, significantly impacting educational policy and civil rights in New Mexico. She also served as Hispanic Education Liaison for the state in 2010 and authored the inaugural report on the Status of Hispanic Education, fulfilling requirements mandated by the Hispanic Education Act.

Dr. Torres-Velásquez is motivated to run for House District 30 by her belief that education is a fundamental right and crucial pathway to opportunity. Her policy priorities include enhancing public education, addressing water scarcity, improving community safety, and fostering economic growth. She has a strong track record of advocacy and played a leading role in the landmark lawsuits, Martínez and Yazzie v. New Mexico, focused on ensuring equitable public education for all New Mexican students, as promised in the state constitution. Through her work, she has demonstrated a consistent commitment to the principles of equality, justice, and opportunity, making her a formidable candidate dedicated to bringing about substantive change.

Dr. Torres-Velásquez is being challenged by Republican Lori Robertson. There is limited public information available, however, based on Robertson’s campaign website and a New Mexico Business Coalition questionnaire, her priorities include addressing public safety via increased prison sentences and mental/behavioral health programs, cutting business regulations, and supporting oil and gas producers. Robertson does not support expanding environmental protections for New Mexico’s land, air and water.

We highly recommend Dr. Elizabeth Diane Torres-Velásquez based on her dedication to education and record of advocating for equitable access to public education.

Gabby Begay is running in the General Election for House District 39, which is currently held by Republican incumbent ​​Luis Terrazas. Begay is an experienced public school teacher who is passionate about improving the state’s educational system. She is an Emerge graduate and currently serves on the NM Commission on the Status of Women as well as serving as President of the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education. Begay was chosen by her cohort peers as the 2024 NM Teach Plus Fellow of the Year, and is a past member of the union AFSCME and current member of the National Education Association. She is a lifelong resident of the district and also volunteers as a Little League coach.

Begay’s motivation to run for House District 39 comes from her experience as an educator and her upbringing in a working class family with a decades-long record of service in public education and the military. Her top priorities include investing in quality public education, modernizing classrooms and supporting students and teachers, increasing healthcare access and lowering drug and healthcare premium prices, and spurring better paying jobs in clean energy, film, and tourism alongside supporting small business owners in expanding, training, and hiring.

Other focus areas include improving access to healthcare in rural NM by supporting the 20/80 contribution formula and incentivizing health practitioners located in underserved areas. She also cares deeply about working to create a criminal justice system that is rehabilitative, addressing climate change by supporting a one mile setback for new development of oil, and fighting to protect access to abortion.

Begay is running against Republican incumbent Luis Terrazas. While there is limited information available publicly on Terrazas’ platform in this election, his track record includes voting against worker protections like paid sick leave and paid family medical lead, renewable energy, protecting abortion and healthcare access, and against prohibiting intimidation of elections officials and limiting guns at polling places. He also voted against requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content, prohibiting intimidation against election officials, establishing clean energy standards, establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases, prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex sexual orientation, or gender identity, and against the Voting Rights Act.

We highly recommend Gabby Begay for House District 39 based on her track record working in education, passion for increasing access to healthcare, and dedication to community involvement.

Kathleen Cates is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 44. She has served in the legislature since 2023, and is currently a member of the Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources, Health & Human Services, and House Enrolling & Engrossing committee.

Cates works as a Real Estate Broker, and previously worked in the nonprofit sector as CEO and President of LifeROOTS for 10 years, and prior to that in a manager role at Goodwill Industries, as well as running her own business.

She is motivated to run for re-election for House District 44 by a passion for using her background in policy and operations to protect civil rights, support working families, and fix policies and processes that hinder small businesses and homeowners. Her stated priorities include increasing investment in education and child care, affordable housing, diversifying the state’s economy with a focus on hospitality/tourism, film, and clean energy, protecting LGBTQ+ New Mexicans and New Mexicans with a disability, and she also supports modernizing the legislature with salaries and paid staff as well as moving to instant runoff/ranked choice voting.

Cates’ record includes co-sponsoring bills investing in affordable housing (SB216), requiring menstrual products in public schools (HB134), and increased apprenticeships in the trades including expanding into electric vehicles, health care and teaching (HB5). She also voted in favor of Paid Family Medical Leave, protections for abortion and gender affirming healthcare (SB13), requiring health insurance companies to reimburse for mental health coverage (SB273), establishing state clean energy standards (HB41), and the New Mexico Voting Rights Act.

We highly recommend Kathleen Cates for House District 44 based on her stated positions and track record of supporting human rights, responsible economic development, and New Mexican families.

Sarah Silva is running for the open seat in the General Election for House District 53. This seat was previously held by Willie Madrid, who lost in the primary election to Dr. Jon Hill. Dr. Hill passed away unexpectedly shortly after the primary election but endorsed Silva before dying. She was unanimously selected to fill the seat in a field of three candidates. 

Silva is a longtime community organizer, mother, and lifelong New Mexican. She is well known for her previous work in/around Las Cruces as the Executive Director of New Mexico Comunidades en Acción y de Fe (NM CAFe), where she successfully led efforts to raise the minimum wage, help to incorporate the City of Anthony in Doña Ana County, and seek designation of the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument. She has also worked nationally with Faith in Action, a national network of faith-based organizations around the country. She has continued her community organizing as a professional trainer as well as coach for many organizations including the ACLU, New Mexico Doula Association, and National Indigenous Women's Resource Center.

Silva’s priorities include securing healthcare rights/access for all New Mexicans, including access to abortion care, ensuring public entities aren’t overrun by private equity firms, and fighting to secure our land and resources for future generations. She has also stated that she’ll be “one of the most progressive voices” in the legislature if elected. 

Elizabeth “Liz” Winterrowd is challenging Sarah Silva for the open seat in House District 53. During Winterrowd’s bid for House District 53 in 2022, she signed the Abortion Free Pledge, which says “I pledge to defend life from conception to natural death…I am committed to ending all abortion and all assisted suicide in the State of New Mexico.” Winterrowd has also raised confusing claims on her campaign website, including that children are “engaging in life-changing, life-endangering abortion or transgender procedures without a parent’s knowledge or consent,” though it is not clear where she believes this is happening. Additionally, Winterrowd opposes worker protections like Paid Family Medical and raising the state minimum wage to $15/hr, and supports decreasing protections of air, land, and water in the state. She also received an AQ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA), which is the highest rating someone can earn if they are not already in office.

We highly recommend Sarah Silva for House District 53 based on her past experience as a dedicated community organizer and her work to protect New Mexico’s working families. 
 

Luke Jungmann is running against incumbent Joshua Hernandez in the General Election for House District 60. He works as a Senior Software Engineer for Mapware, and previously worked as a Software Engineer at Sandia National Laboratories. He was born and raised in New Mexico, and is a graduate of Albuquerque Public Schools, New Mexico Tech, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Jungmann is motivated to run for House District 60 based on his experience in student government in high school and dedication to public service. After seeing Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones, and Justin Pearson expelled from the Tennessee Legislature for attempting to pass common sense gun reform he was moved to action, became active in local Democratic meetings, and subsequently decided to run for office.

Jungmann’s priorities include focusing on enshrining the right to access abortion care in New Mexico’s constitution and ensuring the right to privacy of anyone who might have to travel to the state to ensure that care as well. Additionally, he supports a Just Transition and increased renewable energy and clean energy jobs, as well as incentivising modernization of building methods to help people save money and energy. He also supports making healthcare accessible and affordable for everyone in the state and attracting more healthcare workers to New Mexico to ensure quality medical care.

We highly recommend Luke Jungmann for House District 60 based on his drive to ensure safe and affordable healthcare for every New Mexican, address the climate crisis and spur clean energy jobs, and his support for teachers and education.