House District 26

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. 
 

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.

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.