Condado de Dona Ana

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. 
 

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. 
 

Jeff Steinborn is running for re-election in the General Election for Senate District 36. He has held the position since 2017 and also served as a Representative in NM House from 2007-10 and 2013-16. He currently serves as a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

Steinborn currently works as Executive Director of Outdoor New Mexico, and is also recognized for co-founding Film Las Cruces in 2015, where he led the initiative to create a state rural film incentive, and helped Las Cruces become an emerging film production hot spot in New Mexico, being designated by MovieMaker Magazine as one the “Best Places to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” in America. He now serves as Film Las Cruces’ Board President. He has also previously worked as a field representative for U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman, an aide to then-Congressman Bill Richardson. He has received extensive recognition for leadership/volunteer experience, including the Best in Government Award from Common Cause New Mexico, 1st Amendment Freedom Award from the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government, “Medal of Merit” by the American Legion, “Top Supporter of Education” by the New Mexico Coalition of School Administrators, Luminaria Award by Conservation Voters New Mexico, and “Legislator of the Year” by the New Mexico Recycling Coalition. He has also worked with the Las Cruces chapter of the National Education Association, the Mesilla Valley Community Development Corporation, and is a Former Chair for the Democratic Party of Doña Ana County. Steinborn was born and raised in Las Cruces and is a proud graduate of the city's public schools.

He is motivated to run for re-election for Senate District 36 by his passion for community advocacy, education/child well-being, and good governance. During his time in office, Steinborn has passed a variety of legislation including cosponsoring bills to establish an Independent Ethics Commission, campaign contribution limits, establishment of the Outdoor Recreation Division and the Creative Industries Division, the statewide Rio Grande Trail, webcasting and archiving of legislative committee meetings, and a ban on the storage of high-level nuclear waste in New Mexico.

He has supported a variety of legislation such as greater protection of New Mexico’s lands, air, and water, creation of the outdoor recreation division, creative industries division, and Rio Grande Trail. He has also supported increases to the minimum wage and expanded opportunities for youth civic engagement, and is well known for his leadership on a successful 10 year campaign to create the Organ Mountains Desert Peaks National Monument.

Jeff Steinborn is being challenged by Republican David Tofsted. Tofsted worked at the US Army's Atmospheric Sciences Lab for 30+ years, openly identifies as a MAGA supporter, and is known for spreading disinformation via social media, including denying climate change and advancing inaccurate information about wind and solar powered energy. He also has an extensive record of anti-trans and anti-reproductive rights attacks.

We highly recommend Jeff Steinborn for Senate District 36 given his proven commitment to environmental protections, experience driving sustainable economic development, and his focus on good governance, ethics, and better education and healthcare for all 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.

Linda Alvarez is running against Republican incumbent Jenifer Jones in the General Election for House District 32. Alvarez is a community advocate in Hatch, and previously worked as an executive assistant to the Commissioner for the Social Security Administration, and as a bilingual claims representative assisting retirees and survivors with their benefits. She was also instrumental in founding the state’s Mi Via Program, which creates pathways for New Mexicans with developmental disabilities to live independently. Alvarez is a graduate of Hatch Valley High School and the College of Santa Fe.

Her priorities include increased funding for schools and support for teachers, increased access to higher education and vocational training, incentives, support, and regulatory relief for small businesses, and enhanced law enforcement resources, community policing, and crime prevention programs. She has also pledged to support congressional term limits.

Jenifer Jones is running for re-election against Linda Alvarez for House District 32. During her time in the legislature, Jones has consistently voted against supporting New Mexican families including voting against Paid Family Medical Leave, requiring insurance companies to provide reimbursement for mental health services, protections for abortion and gender affirming care, raising the minimum wage to $15/hr, establishing clean energy fuel standards, expanding broadband access, establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases, and prohibiting firearms at state drop boxes and polling locations. Jones has also actively spread disinformation on healthcare access for LGBTQ+ individuals and would likely advocate for restrictions on gender affirming care, a decision that should be between an individual, their family, and their doctor.

We lean toward recommending Linda Alvarez for House District 32 based on her experience and stated priorities.

Raymundo Lara is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 34. Lara has held the position since 2019, and serves as Vice Chair for the House Printing & Supplies, and as member of the House Education, House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements, and the House Rules & Order of Business committees. Lara is also a member of the Legislative Education Study Committee and a designee for the Legislative Finance Committee.

Lara has sponsored a range of bills primarily focused on education, public health, environmental issues, and infrastructure. His legislative efforts include promoting clean transportation fuel standards, improving water project prioritization, and addressing educational challenges such as class size reduction and teacher recruitment.

He has also supported initiatives for veteran PTSD programs, rural healthcare, and various community and memorial recognitions. Lara regularly votes for reproductive health protections, expansion of access to education, expansion of healthcare, and common sense gun regulations.

While Lara’s track record is generally positive, it is important to note that he voted against paid family medical leave and prohibiting firearms at polling locations during the 2024 session.

Larry Sedillo, a Republican, is challenging Raymundo Lara for House District 34. There is limited information available publicly on Sedillo. He has worked as an educator as well as running a small farm, and his priorities include enhancing vocational agriculture and addressing public safety through increasing mandatory sentencing minimums and mental health treatment.

While there are concerns on some key votes, we recommend Raymundo Lara for re-election to House District 34 based on his consistent track record of supporting reproductive rights, education, and healthcare.

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.

Tara Jaramillo is running for re-election in the General Election for House District 38. She has held the position since 2023, and serves as a member of the House Appropriations & Finance committee, House Health and Human Services committee, and the House Enrolling and Engrossing committee. She is also a member of the Indian Affairs committee, an advisory on the Legislative Health & Human Services committee, a designee for the Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force committee, and a standing advisory on the Legislative Finance committee.

Jaramillo lives and works in Socorro County as a Speech Language Pathologist and the co-founder of Positive Outcomes, Inc., a healthcare organization. Her volunteer/leadership experience also includes serving on the Socorro Consolidated School Board, and as a former Chair of the Socorro Democratic Party.

Her priorities center on improving the financial well-being of New Mexicans, increasing access to healthcare, and improving public safety. Specific proposals include countering inflation by lowering the gross receipts tax, repealing tax cuts for the wealthy, and continuing tax relief on Social Security and military retirement income. Jaramillo also prioritizes reducing drug-related crime by expanding behavioral health and drug treatment centers, fully funding education to attract and retain top teachers, and making healthcare more affordable. Additionally, she is committed to protecting reproductive freedom, enhancing infrastructure, and ensuring access to reliable, high-speed internet, better water management, and improved roads and bridges.

Jaramillo’s track record includes sponsoring bills addressing healthcare, education, and public safety, including fair reimbursement for community-based pharmacies, preventing suicide among veterans and service members, and studying class size reductions in schools. She has also pushed for task forces to address issues like prenatal substance exposure, foster care challenges, and behavioral health workforce expansion. Additionally, Jaramillo has supported legislation aimed at improving government conduct, aiding military retirees, and enhancing protections against human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

While Jaramillo has supported progressive priorities that reinforce New Mexico’s working families, she has also voted against common sense gun restrictions, environmental protections, and voted against paid family medical leave in the 2024 session.

We lean towards Tara Jaramillo for re-election to House District 38 based on her track record of protecting reproductive rights, investing in healthcare, and increasing access to education.

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.