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Dr. Anjali Taneja photo
Democrat

Dr. Anjali Taneja

Website Endorsements

Dr. Anjali Taneja is running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Taneja is currently the Executive Director of Casa de Salud, Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UNM, a Member of the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital and the Founder of Cure This. She is Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. Her volunteer experience includes appointments to the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital, the New Mexico Insurance Nominating Committee, the New Mexico Primary Care Council, and the Addiction Treatment Advisory Board. 

Taneja’s 20 years of experience as a community doctor for the people most impacted by healthcare gaps is what drives her passion to run for House District 18. Taneja has proven experience in helping to pass critical policies such as expansion of healthcare access, reduction of premiums for small businesses, patient consumer financial protections around medical debt and hospital bills, the Healthcare Affordability Fund and expanded support and treatments for those experiencing addiction. Her policy priorities focus heavily on reimagining healthcare from a transactional sector to one that is community based. Policy highlights include affordable healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities like LGBTQ+, immigrant, and incarcerated individuals, as well as increasing treatment for addiction services. As part of her expanded vision of healthcare, Taneja would also prioritize environmental protections and investing in mental health services, affordable housing, education, and restorative justice programs.

While we recommend Mariana Anaya for House District 18, Anjali Taneja is also a viable candidate based on her experience with working toward affordable and accessible healthcare for underserved communities, including experience in addiction services, and working for medical equity for incarcerated individuals.

Dr. Anjali Taneja is running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Taneja is currently the Executive Director of Casa de Salud, Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UNM, a Member of the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital and the Founder of Cure This. She is Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. Her volunteer experience includes appointments to the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital, the New Mexico Insurance Nominating Committee, the New Mexico Primary Care Council, and the Addiction Treatment Advisory Board. 

Taneja’s 20 years of experience as a community doctor for the people most impacted by healthcare gaps is what drives her passion to run for House District 18. Taneja has proven experience in helping to pass critical policies such as expansion of healthcare access, reduction of premiums for small businesses, patient consumer financial protections around medical debt and hospital bills, the Healthcare Affordability Fund and expanded support and treatments for those experiencing addiction. Her policy priorities focus heavily on reimagining healthcare from a transactional sector to one that is community based. Policy highlights include affordable healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities like LGBTQ+, immigrant, and incarcerated individuals, as well as increasing treatment for addiction services. As part of her expanded vision of healthcare, Taneja would also prioritize environmental protections and investing in mental health services, affordable housing, education, and restorative justice programs.

While we recommend Mariana Anaya for House District 18, Anjali Taneja is also a viable candidate based on her experience with working toward affordable and accessible healthcare for underserved communities, including experience in addiction services, and working for medical equity for incarcerated individuals.

Endorsed By: Albuquerque Teachers Federation , Conservation Voters New Mexico , Sierra Club , "Jerry Ortiz y Pino, State Senator", "Martin Hickey, State Senator", "Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, State Senator", "Eleanor Chavez, State Representative", "Cristina Parajon, State Representative", "Micaela Lara Cadena, State Representative"

House District 18

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Election Day June 4, 2024
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State Senator, District 13

Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.

State Senator

Bill O'Neill photo
Democrat

Bill O'Neill

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Bill O’Neil is running for re-election in Democratic Primary for Senate District 13, and has served in the seat for 11 years. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee and is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He previously served as the Representative for House District 15 from 2008-2012. O’Neil is currently the Development Director for a Peer Education Project and is a co-founder of Dismas House New Mexico, a residential facility for male and female parolees.

O’Neil is motivated to run for re-election to Senate District 13 by his desire to create a safer, more prosperous community for all New Mexicans and to prioritize fairness and equity in governance. His priorities include an inclusive economy that fully incorporates immigrant community members, protecting worker rights and ensuring fair wages, expanding affordable housing and rental assistance programs, modernizing the legislature by creating paid positions, increasing elections access via open primaries, protecting and ensuring abortion access and basic healthcare for rural New Mexicans, and investing in clean energy.

He has cosponsored legislation His voting record also includes support for the Paid Family Leave Act, Voting Rights Act and Native American Voting Rights Act (HB4, 2023), Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Act (SB13 and HB7, 2023), and Clean Transportation Fuel Standards (HB 41, 2024). O’Neil also supports legislation that would increase pay for early childhood educators and childcare providers, establish a one-mile setback for new oil and gas development, and increase salaries for educators as well as zero dollar copays for healthcare.

We recommend Bill O’Neill for Senate District 13 based on his track record of support for integration of immigrant families, investing in affordable housing, protecting worker rights and ensuring fair wages, and ensuring and expanding access to basic healthcare.

Bill O’Neil is running for re-election in Democratic Primary for Senate District 13, and has served in the seat for 11 years. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee and is a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He previously served as the Representative for House District 15 from 2008-2012. O’Neil is currently the Development Director for a Peer Education Project and is a co-founder of Dismas House New Mexico, a residential facility for male and female parolees.

O’Neil is motivated to run for re-election to Senate District 13 by his desire to create a safer, more prosperous community for all New Mexicans and to prioritize fairness and equity in governance. His priorities include an inclusive economy that fully incorporates immigrant community members, protecting worker rights and ensuring fair wages, expanding affordable housing and rental assistance programs, modernizing the legislature by creating paid positions, increasing elections access via open primaries, protecting and ensuring abortion access and basic healthcare for rural New Mexicans, and investing in clean energy.

He has cosponsored legislation His voting record also includes support for the Paid Family Leave Act, Voting Rights Act and Native American Voting Rights Act (HB4, 2023), Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Act (SB13 and HB7, 2023), and Clean Transportation Fuel Standards (HB 41, 2024). O’Neil also supports legislation that would increase pay for early childhood educators and childcare providers, establish a one-mile setback for new oil and gas development, and increase salaries for educators as well as zero dollar copays for healthcare.

We recommend Bill O’Neill for Senate District 13 based on his track record of support for integration of immigrant families, investing in affordable housing, protecting worker rights and ensuring fair wages, and ensuring and expanding access to basic healthcare.

Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico , Conservation Voters New Mexico , Equality New Mexico , New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund , "Mimi Stewart, State Senate President Pro Tempore ", "Brenda McKenna, State Senator", "Jerry Ortiz y Pino, State Senator", "Bill Tallman, State Senator", "Katy Duhigg, State Senator", "Dayan Hochman-Vigil, State Representative", "Andrea Romero, State Representative", "Natalie Figueroa, State Representative", "Janelle Anyanonu, State Representative", "Derrick Lente, State Representative"

Other Candidates

Debbie O’Malley is running against incumbent Senator Bill O’Neil in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 13. O’Malley founded the Sawmill Community Land Trust, a not-for-profit community development corporation where she served as the Executive Director from 1998 to 2003. O’Malley served as an Albuquerque City Councilor for District 2 for 11 years, and from 2014 to 2022 served as the County Commissioner for District 1 on the Bernalillo County Commission. Most recently, she was Associate Chief of Staff for Policy at the City of Albuquerque. Her volunteer and leadership experience includes serving on the boards of PB&J Family Services and Sawmill Community Land Trust, and past service on the Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Authority, North Valley Coalition, Metropolitan Transportation Board, and Mid Council of Governments. 

O’Malley’s experience as a neighborhood organizer, citizen planner, and affordable housing developer, as well as lived experience raising her family in a working-class neighborhood, motivates her to run for Senate District 13. Her priorities include establishing a just and humane immigration policy statewide including funding community support services for those seeking asylum, increasing investments in affordable housing, funding renewable energy projects and reducing emissions to protect our water, air, and land, and she also supports Paid Family Medical Leave and raising the state’s minimum wage. 

While we lean toward Bill O’Neill for Senate District 13, Debbie O’Malley is also a viable candidate based on her experience with affordable housing policy and development as well as her support for environmental protections.

Debbie O’Malley is running against incumbent Senator Bill O’Neil in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 13. O’Malley founded the Sawmill Community Land Trust, a not-for-profit community development corporation where she served as the Executive Director from 1998 to 2003. O’Malley served as an Albuquerque City Councilor for District 2 for 11 years, and from 2014 to 2022 served as the County Commissioner for District 1 on the Bernalillo County Commission. Most recently, she was Associate Chief of Staff for Policy at the City of Albuquerque. Her volunteer and leadership experience includes serving on the boards of PB&J Family Services and Sawmill Community Land Trust, and past service on the Albuquerque Bernalillo Water Authority, North Valley Coalition, Metropolitan Transportation Board, and Mid Council of Governments. 

O’Malley’s experience as a neighborhood organizer, citizen planner, and affordable housing developer, as well as lived experience raising her family in a working-class neighborhood, motivates her to run for Senate District 13. Her priorities include establishing a just and humane immigration policy statewide including funding community support services for those seeking asylum, increasing investments in affordable housing, funding renewable energy projects and reducing emissions to protect our water, air, and land, and she also supports Paid Family Medical Leave and raising the state’s minimum wage. 

While we lean toward Bill O’Neill for Senate District 13, Debbie O’Malley is also a viable candidate based on her experience with affordable housing policy and development as well as her support for environmental protections.

Representative, District 18

State Representative

Marianna Anaya photo
Democrat

Marianna Anaya

Website Facebook Endorsements Instagram

Marianna Anaya is running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Anaya currently owns her own small business, Anaya Consulting. Previously she worked as Deputy Director of ProgressNow NM, Organizing and Communications for the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Field Representative for Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Research Assistant for Texas Center for Education Policy. Her volunteer experience includes the Emerge New Mexico Board of Directors, Judicial Nominating Commission, NM Supreme Court, President Pro Temp Stewart Appointee, Judicial Nominating Commission, Bernalillo Co. Metro Court, House Speaker Egolf Appointee, NM Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, Board of Directors & Nationally Certified Curriculum Trainer, and NM Latino Education Task Force, Board of Directors (2014-2016). 

Anaya’s lived experience with generational poverty and work in community organizing drive her passion to run for House District 18. Anaya was instrumental in passing critical legislation including the repeal of the abortion ban in New Mexico, protections for abortion and gender affirming care, expansion of the Human Rights Act, and was a lobbyist on paid family medical leave. Her priorities include economic stability through policies such as Guaranteed Basic Income along with access to affordable quality healthcare by investing in local clinics and doctors, and Federally Qualified Health Clinics. Additional priorities include free public education, increasing educator pay to improve retention, and developing a ladder for pay increases that reflects experience levels. 

We recommend Marianna Anaya for House District 18 due to her track record of working on policies specifically to increase protections for the LGBTQ+ community, reproductive healthcare, and workers’ rights.

Marianna Anaya is running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Anaya currently owns her own small business, Anaya Consulting. Previously she worked as Deputy Director of ProgressNow NM, Organizing and Communications for the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, Field Representative for Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Research Assistant for Texas Center for Education Policy. Her volunteer experience includes the Emerge New Mexico Board of Directors, Judicial Nominating Commission, NM Supreme Court, President Pro Temp Stewart Appointee, Judicial Nominating Commission, Bernalillo Co. Metro Court, House Speaker Egolf Appointee, NM Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network, Board of Directors & Nationally Certified Curriculum Trainer, and NM Latino Education Task Force, Board of Directors (2014-2016). 

Anaya’s lived experience with generational poverty and work in community organizing drive her passion to run for House District 18. Anaya was instrumental in passing critical legislation including the repeal of the abortion ban in New Mexico, protections for abortion and gender affirming care, expansion of the Human Rights Act, and was a lobbyist on paid family medical leave. Her priorities include economic stability through policies such as Guaranteed Basic Income along with access to affordable quality healthcare by investing in local clinics and doctors, and Federally Qualified Health Clinics. Additional priorities include free public education, increasing educator pay to improve retention, and developing a ladder for pay increases that reflects experience levels. 

We recommend Marianna Anaya for House District 18 due to her track record of working on policies specifically to increase protections for the LGBTQ+ community, reproductive healthcare, and workers’ rights.

Endorsed By: Conservation Voters New Mexico , Equality New Mexico , Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate , NEA New Mexico , New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund , NM Native Vote , OLÉ , Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico , Working Families Party New Mexico , "Mimi Stewart, State Senate President Pro Tempore ", "Gail Chasey, Majority Leader, State Representative", "Katy Duhigg, State Senator", "Linda Lopez, State Senator", "Bill Tallman, State Senator", "Janelle Anyanonu, State Representative", "Kathleen Cates, State Representative", "Natalie Figueroa, State Representative", "Joy Garratt, State Representative", "Pamelya Herndon, State Representative", "Charlotte Little, State Representative", "Cristina Parajon, State Representative", "Patricia Roybal Caballero, State Representative", "Debra Sarinana, State Representative", "Siah Correa Hemphill, State Senator", "Carrie Hamblen, State Senator", "Leo Jaramillo, State Senator", "Shannon Pinto, State Senator", "Bill Soules, State Representative", "Christine Chandler, State Representative", "Joanne Ferrary, State Representative", "Kristina Ortez, State Representative", "Andrea Romero, State Representative", "Linda Serrato, State Representative"
Dr. Anjali Taneja photo
Democrat

Dr. Anjali Taneja

Website Endorsements

Dr. Anjali Taneja is running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Taneja is currently the Executive Director of Casa de Salud, Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UNM, a Member of the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital and the Founder of Cure This. She is Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. Her volunteer experience includes appointments to the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital, the New Mexico Insurance Nominating Committee, the New Mexico Primary Care Council, and the Addiction Treatment Advisory Board. 

Taneja’s 20 years of experience as a community doctor for the people most impacted by healthcare gaps is what drives her passion to run for House District 18. Taneja has proven experience in helping to pass critical policies such as expansion of healthcare access, reduction of premiums for small businesses, patient consumer financial protections around medical debt and hospital bills, the Healthcare Affordability Fund and expanded support and treatments for those experiencing addiction. Her policy priorities focus heavily on reimagining healthcare from a transactional sector to one that is community based. Policy highlights include affordable healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities like LGBTQ+, immigrant, and incarcerated individuals, as well as increasing treatment for addiction services. As part of her expanded vision of healthcare, Taneja would also prioritize environmental protections and investing in mental health services, affordable housing, education, and restorative justice programs.

While we recommend Mariana Anaya for House District 18, Anjali Taneja is also a viable candidate based on her experience with working toward affordable and accessible healthcare for underserved communities, including experience in addiction services, and working for medical equity for incarcerated individuals.

Dr. Anjali Taneja is running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Taneja is currently the Executive Director of Casa de Salud, Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at UNM, a Member of the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital and the Founder of Cure This. She is Board Certified in both Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine. Her volunteer experience includes appointments to the Board of Trustees for UNM Hospital, the New Mexico Insurance Nominating Committee, the New Mexico Primary Care Council, and the Addiction Treatment Advisory Board. 

Taneja’s 20 years of experience as a community doctor for the people most impacted by healthcare gaps is what drives her passion to run for House District 18. Taneja has proven experience in helping to pass critical policies such as expansion of healthcare access, reduction of premiums for small businesses, patient consumer financial protections around medical debt and hospital bills, the Healthcare Affordability Fund and expanded support and treatments for those experiencing addiction. Her policy priorities focus heavily on reimagining healthcare from a transactional sector to one that is community based. Policy highlights include affordable healthcare access, particularly for underserved communities like LGBTQ+, immigrant, and incarcerated individuals, as well as increasing treatment for addiction services. As part of her expanded vision of healthcare, Taneja would also prioritize environmental protections and investing in mental health services, affordable housing, education, and restorative justice programs.

While we recommend Mariana Anaya for House District 18, Anjali Taneja is also a viable candidate based on her experience with working toward affordable and accessible healthcare for underserved communities, including experience in addiction services, and working for medical equity for incarcerated individuals.

Endorsed By: Albuquerque Teachers Federation , Conservation Voters New Mexico , Sierra Club , "Jerry Ortiz y Pino, State Senator", "Martin Hickey, State Senator", "Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, State Senator", "Eleanor Chavez, State Representative", "Cristina Parajon, State Representative", "Micaela Lara Cadena, State Representative"

Other Candidates

There are two other candidates running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Gloria Doherty is a Nurse Practitioner at Sandoval Regional Medical Center. She has been a participant in the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council and the New Mexico Nurses Association and a volunteer board member for First Choice Community Healthcare. Doherty did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.

While Doherty’s platform highlighted on her website is comprehensive, her priorities lack policy specifics. Additionally, with a broad set of focus areas, we cannot be sure which specifically she will put her time and energy behind. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Gloria Doherty. 

Juan Larrañaga is also running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. It is unclear from public sources as well as his questionnaire whether he works at UNM in the Graduate Studies department or if he is enrolled in graduate school full time. Given the limited information provided by Larrañaga both via his submitted questionnaire and his campaign website, we do not recommend him for House District 18.

There are two other candidates running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. Gloria Doherty is a Nurse Practitioner at Sandoval Regional Medical Center. She has been a participant in the New Mexico Nurse Practitioner Council and the New Mexico Nurses Association and a volunteer board member for First Choice Community Healthcare. Doherty did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.

While Doherty’s platform highlighted on her website is comprehensive, her priorities lack policy specifics. Additionally, with a broad set of focus areas, we cannot be sure which specifically she will put her time and energy behind. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Gloria Doherty. 

Juan Larrañaga is also running in the Democratic Primary for House District 18. It is unclear from public sources as well as his questionnaire whether he works at UNM in the Graduate Studies department or if he is enrolled in graduate school full time. Given the limited information provided by Larrañaga both via his submitted questionnaire and his campaign website, we do not recommend him for House District 18.

County District Races

Depending on where you live, you may have the below county-districted races on your ballot.

Bernalillo County, District 2

Bernalillo Commissioner, District 2

Frank Baca photo
Democrat

Frank Baca

Website Facebook Endorsements

Frank Baca is running for Bernalillo County Commission District 2. Baca has grown up in the South Valley and is a retired attorney. He began his activism nearly 40 years ago working on implementation of water and sewer in the South Valley. Baca is a founding member of the Rio Grande Development Corporation / South Valley Economic Development Center. 

Baca will focus on policies related to cultural preservation, education, crime, and economic development. 

We highly recommend Frank Baca for Bernalillo County Commission District 2. 
 

Frank Baca is running for Bernalillo County Commission District 2. Baca has grown up in the South Valley and is a retired attorney. He began his activism nearly 40 years ago working on implementation of water and sewer in the South Valley. Baca is a founding member of the Rio Grande Development Corporation / South Valley Economic Development Center. 

Baca will focus on policies related to cultural preservation, education, crime, and economic development. 

We highly recommend Frank Baca for Bernalillo County Commission District 2. 
 

Endorsed By: OLÉ , "Eleanor Chavez, State Representative", "Miguel Garcia, State Representative", "Patricia Roybal Caballero, State Representative", "Javier Martínez, Speaker of the House, State Representative, District 11", "Linda Lopez, State Senator", "Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez, State Senator"

Other Candidates

William Walker
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against William Walker for Bernalillo County Commission District 2.

William Walker
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against William Walker for Bernalillo County Commission District 2.

Bernalillo County, District 3

Bernalillo Commissioner, District 3

Adriann Barboa photo
Democrat

Adriann Barboa

Facebook

Adriann Barboa is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for Bernalillo County Commission District 3. Barboa is a community organizer and was elected to the Commission seat in November 2020.

During her time in office, Barboa has been instrumental in increasing affordable housing and housing supports for individuals exiting incarceration as well as people with behavioral and mental health needs. She has also worked to invest heavily in addiction support services for both individuals facing addiction and their families. Barboa is running for re-election because she deeply believes that it is the responsibility of the County to develop a comprehensive care plan to address the needs of the most vulnerable and underserved in her community. Her policy priorities focus primarily on building a system of prevention, intervention, treatment and housing.

We highly recommend Adriann Barboa for Bernalillo County Commission District 3 due to her proven commitment and success in leading and supporting policies critical for Bernalillo County residents.

Adriann Barboa is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for Bernalillo County Commission District 3. Barboa is a community organizer and was elected to the Commission seat in November 2020.

During her time in office, Barboa has been instrumental in increasing affordable housing and housing supports for individuals exiting incarceration as well as people with behavioral and mental health needs. She has also worked to invest heavily in addiction support services for both individuals facing addiction and their families. Barboa is running for re-election because she deeply believes that it is the responsibility of the County to develop a comprehensive care plan to address the needs of the most vulnerable and underserved in her community. Her policy priorities focus primarily on building a system of prevention, intervention, treatment and housing.

We highly recommend Adriann Barboa for Bernalillo County Commission District 3 due to her proven commitment and success in leading and supporting policies critical for Bernalillo County residents.

Endorsed By: OLÉ , Dreams in Action , "Jerry Ortiz y Pino, State Senator", "Gail Chasey, Majority Leader, State Representative", "Mimi Stewart, State Senate President Pro Tempore ", "Janelle Anyanonu, State Representative"

Other Candidates

Robert Padilla
Robert Padilla is running against incumbent Adriann Barboa for Bernalillo County Commission District 3. While we recommend Adriann Barboa for this seat, Robert Padilla is also a viable candidate based on his stated priority areas. 

Laura Chavez
No public information could be found on Laura Chavez

 

Robert Padilla
Robert Padilla is running against incumbent Adriann Barboa for Bernalillo County Commission District 3. While we recommend Adriann Barboa for this seat, Robert Padilla is also a viable candidate based on his stated priority areas. 

Laura Chavez
No public information could be found on Laura Chavez