New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund Endorsements

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.

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.

Athena Christodoulou is running in the General Election for Senate District 21. Christodoulou is a retired Navy engineer veteran, and has also worked as a technology entrepreneur and consultant. She also served as the committee analyst for the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources committee in the NM House during the 2023 legislative session, where she analyzed 40 different bills.

Christodoulou has an extensive leadership/volunteer experience, including advocating for solar energy in all NM communities for years (she lives fossil fuel free herself, as a private citizen), and serving as the political director for Adelante Progressive Caucus, where she organized members to make public comments in support of the Civil Rights Act, Paid Sick Leave Act, and salary increases for teachers. She has also served as secretary and board member of the New Mexico Solar Energy Association, as a community solar coach for the Department of Energy, and is currently the Vice Chair for the Environmental Justice caucus of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.

Christodoulou is motivated to run for Senate District 21 by her passion for climate issues and experience in the energy sector, including uplifting legislation focused on clean energy and jobs. Her priorities include enhancing environmental protections and New Mexico’s economy via continued support for the 2019 Energy Transition Act, and accountability for clean air, water, and land. She also supports revisiting the Community Solar Act, forcing the closure of low producing wells, and expanding oil and gas reform. Additionally, Christodoulou has previous experience as an educator, and supports strengthening public education in New Mexico through policies such as zero copays for educator health insurance plus increased pay for early childhood educators and childcare providers.

Athena Christodoulou is being challenged by Republican Nicole Tobiassen. Tobiassen runs her own firm coaching business owners, and previously worked at Enterprise as an account manager servicing the Border Patrol agency. Tobiassen’s number one priority is addressing crime via harsher sentencing, including for teens. She supports increased funding for police and border enforcement, opposes gun safety reform, and is endorsed by the NRA. Additionally, she has shared dis/misinformation on multiple topics, including on immigration, the border, and education, where she advances on her website a falsehood that students “are receiving medical prescriptions and procedures without parental notification.” Tobiassen also opposes worker protections, including Paid Family Medical Leave and increasing the state minimum wage.

We highly recommended Athena Christodoulou for Senate District 21 based on her extensive experience in climate issues, energy advocacy, and background in community organizing and entrepreneurship.

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.

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.

Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 24. She served as a representative from 2013-2015, and again from 2017 through the present. She is currently Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee and a member of the House Consumer and Public Affairs, House Printing and Supplies, and House Rules and Order of Business committees.

Thomson has spent her career as a pediatric physical therapist and has served on the Board of the New Mexico Chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association.

She is motivated to run for House District 24 by her personal experience being the parent of an autistic child who did not have access to services/support in Albuquerque. During her time in office, Thomson has championed policies that improve education for children, especially those with disabilities. Her policy priorities include improving education opportunities through increased funding and support for public schools and educators and strengthening New Mexico’s working families by championing fair tax codes as well as diversifying our economy through renewable energy and recruitment of new companies. Thomson is also focused on reducing crime through comprehensive approaches that address root causes, including investing in mental/behavioral health and addiction resources. Thomson is also the only practicing medical professional currently serving in the NM House of Representatives.

Thomson has a strong track record of reinforcing New Mexican families. In 2024, she voted in favor of affordable housing, paid family medical leave, establishing a service member suicide prevention program, reducing state income tax rates, creating clean energy standards, establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases, and co-sponsoring a bill that requires affirmative consent be included in higher education orienation. In 2023, she voted to protect access to abortion and gender affirming care, prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, appropriate funds for environmental and cultural preservation, and expand the voting rights act.

Liz Thomson is being challenged by Ann Edenfield. There is limited public information available on Edenfield. She ran the nonprofit Wings for LIFE International for 28 years and has stated that the founding fathers and the Bible guide her political philosophy.

We highly recommend Elizabeth “Liz” Thomson for re-election to House District 24 based on her record of voting to reinforce and protect working families, and her willingness to listen to and work with constituents in her district and across the state.

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.

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.

Joy Garrett is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 29. Garrett has held the position since 2019, and currently serves as vice chair of the House Education Committee, and as a member of the House Appropriations and Finance, House Rules, and House Printing and Supplies Committees.

Garrett is a retired educator who worked for nearly 30 years, including teaching ESL, Language Arts, and US History at Wilson Middle School, Harrison Middle School and Jimmy Carter Middle School, as well as teaching fifth grade at Painted Sky Elementary School. She is also well known for her extensive leadership/volunteer experience, including with the Ventana Ranch Neighborhood Association, AFT NM Retirees Association, New Mexico Ethics Watch, National Council of State Legislators Early Learning and Higher Education Fellowships, and for consistently hosting presentations and discussions for area schools on how New Mexico’s state government works.

Garrett is motivated to run for re-election to House District 29 by her passion for serving her community and enhancing public services. Her personal experience with remote teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic also deepened her resolve to expand technology access across New Mexico.

Her legislative track record includes sponsoring bills aimed at keeping schools safe from predators, tackling copper/metal theft, and advocating for increased gun safety measures. She champions public safety, infrastructure improvements on Albuquerque's West Side, workforce training, healthcare access, and ensuring robust educational and economic opportunities for all New Mexicans. She voted in support of paid family medical leave, protections for abortions and gender affirming care, clean energy standards, expanding access to state programs for English language learners, requiring employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked, and was a co-sponsor on a bill to prohibits future interest rate increases and a bill to establish the early childhood education care fund.

Joy Garrett is being challenged by Republican Gregory Cunningham. Cunningham owns a private security company and previously worked for the Albuquerque Police Department. His priorities include minimum mandatory sentencing, cutting regulations for businesses, and supporting oil and gas producers. He also supports abolishing the Gross Receipts Tax and instead passing costs along to consumers through sales taxes. He opposes Paid Family Medical Leave, gun safety reform, and additional environmental protections for New Mexico’s air, land, and water. In 2022, he also declined to answer whether he agreed with former president Trump’s false claim of winning the 2020 election.

We highly recommend Joy Garrett for House District 29 based on her dedication to education, strong legislative record, and consistency in reinforcing New Mexico’s working families.

Nathan Small is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 36. He has held the position since 2016, and currently serves as the Chair for the House Finance and Appropriations committee and is a member of the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources and House Printing and Supplies committees.

Small has sponsored a range of legislation centered on economic development, environmental sustainability, public finance, and healthcare. His legislative efforts include securing essential funding for state agencies through the General Appropriation Act, advancing infrastructure projects via capital outlay changes, and promoting government accountability with the creation of the Government Results and Opportunity Fund. Additionally, Small has championed environmental initiatives like the Climate, Energy & Water Division Act, aimed at bolstering New Mexico's commitment to sustainability. His work also reflects a strong focus on healthcare access, advocating for hospital acceptance of health plans from the state’s insurance exchange.

Small 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, reducing state income tax rates, establishing clean energy standards, and establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases. In the 2023 Legislative Session Small 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.

Nathan Small is being challenged by Kimberly Skaggs for House District 36. Skaggs is a Republican who has unsuccessfully run for House District 36 since 2020. In a 2020 questionnaire submitted to the New Mexico Business Coalition, Skaggs stated that she opposes additional environmental protections and mandated sick leave and PTO. Additionally, in 2022, Skaggs was named in a Federal Elections Commission complaint that focused on a “straw donor scheme” using a shell company to funnel campaign contributions to a Republican candidate.

We highly recommend Nathan Small for House District 36 based on his proven leadership in advancing policies that support working families, protecting the environment, and strengthening New Mexico’s economy and infrastructure.

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.

Matthew McQueen is running for re-election for House District 50. McQueen has held the position since 2015, and currently serves as the Chair for the House Energy, Environment & Natural Resources committee and is a member of the House Judiciary. He also serves interim committees as Chair for the Water & Natural Resources committee and member of the Land Grant committee.

His volunteer/leadership includes serving as Chair for Santa Fe County Open Land, and as a member of the Trails & Parks Advisory Committee, Santa Fe River Commission
Member, and Bureau of Land Management Resource Advisory Council. He is also active with the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce and Santa Fe Watershed Association

McQueen works as an attorney at Graeser & McQueen, LLC, and has a background in environmental conservation and land management. Previously, he has also worked as Director of Conservation Programs for the Santa Fe Conservation Trust, Director of Land Conservation for the Taos Land Trust, and as an Attorney for the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer.

His priorities include diversifying New Mexico's economy by investing in renewable energy and high-tech industries, improving education through better teacher pay and early childhood programs, and addressing climate change with clean energy initiatives. He is committed to health care reform, particularly expanding access to behavioral health services and rural healthcare. He also prioritizes ethics and transparency in government, including advocating for anti-corruption measures and fair redistricting.

McQueen’s track record includes sponsoring multiple bills focused on environmental conservation, protecting public lands, and government reform. He has led efforts to increase revenue by setting higher royalty rates for oil and gas leases on state trust lands, reforming the State Game Commission, and amending the Forest Conservation Act to improve forest fire prevention and control. He also worked on bills addressing radioactive waste storage, public peace, and the health, safety, and welfare of New Mexicans. Additionally, he has proposed constitutional amendments related to legislative processes and government transparency.

We highly recommend Matthew McQueen for House District 50 based on his significant experience in environmental conservation, focus on government reform, and his strong commitment to diversifying New Mexico's economy.

Michelle Sandoval is running for the open seat in the General Election for House District 57. Born and raised in Rio Rancho, Sandoval currently works as a Professional Staff Assistant to Production Support Services, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and previously worked as Senior Administrative Assistant at the Sandoval County Treasurer’s Office and as Teller Supervisor at Bank of the West. Sandoval has a history of organizing and civic engagement, including founding the Eco-Warrior organization, which engages high school students in community clean-up projects. She is a graduate of Cleveland High School and the University of New Mexico. 

Sandoval’s priorities include investing in affordable housing and down payment initiatives, reinforcing education/public schools by supporting teacher development and promoting early childhood programs, ensuring affordable healthcare by protecting and expanding Medicaid, reducing prescription drug costs and expanding community health clinics, and driving sustainable economic growth across the state by supporting small businesses and promoting renewable energy initiatives and clean energy jobs. Additionally, she supports Paid Family Medical leave, and would focus on public safety by funding overloaded courts to ensure consistency and accountability, increased mental health and drug treatment programs, and supporting diversion and reentry programs to stop repeat offenders.

Sandoval also supports professionalizing the legislature, and points to her own experience as a young mother taking on the demands of work, family, and being in an elected office without compensation. As a younger candidate, Sandoval seeks to increase youth engagement and encourage more young people to vote and become engaged with the political process. 

Michelle Sandoval is being challenged by Catherine Cullen for House District 57. Cullen works as a realtor and served eight years as a member of the Rio Rancho School Board. She is running on a platform that includes “tough-on-crime” policies with mandatory sentencing requirements, increased penalties, and expanded law enforcement. She also has stated that she does not support Paid Family Medical Leave or increasing minimum wage. She also does not support expanding regulations to protect air, land, and water in the state. 

We highly recommend Michelle Sandoval for House District 57 based on her commitment to affordable housing, safe and accessible healthcare, and diversifying New Mexico’s economy to lift all families up. 
 

Charlotte Little is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 68. She has held the position since 2023 and serves as a member of the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee, House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee, and the House Enrolling and Engrossing Committee.

Originally from San Felipe Pueblo, Little is a small business owner, and has also worked as Deputy Director for NAVA Education Project, Administrative Officer for the US Department of Health and Human Services, and as a Tribal Administrator for the Pueblo of San Felipe. Her volunteer and leadership experiences include serving as Vice-Chair of New Mexico Voices for Children, President of Emerge New Mexico, and Chair of the San Felipe Pueblo Health Board.

Little’s priorities include focusing on a Just Transition and creating thousands of jobs for NM workers in clean energy, eco-tourism, and the cannabis industry. She supports increased access to affordable healthcare and education, especially investing in and hiring qualified educators across the state. Additionally, Little supports addressing the root causes of crime, homelessness, and addiction, and addressing price gouging on everyday goods and services, including fuel, housing, and prescription drugs.

Little has sponsored bills requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and requiring menstrual products in public schools (HB134). She has also voted in favor of bills enacting clean energy standards (HB41), paid family medical leave (SB3), prohibiting firearms at state drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establishing protections for abortion and gender affirming healthcare (SB13), and expanding accessible voting and elections via the Voting Rights Act (HB4).

We highly recommend Charlotte Little for re-election for House District 68 based on her record of protecting voting rights, dedication to taking action on climate change, and focus on ensuring all New Mexicans have access to healthcare.