City of Rio Rancho

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.
 

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.

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.

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.

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.