Campaign Phone
5053318059
Occupation
RETIRED MILITARY
Life experience, leadership experience, experience achieving things, experience fighting for things I believe in, both in war and martial arts. This is my first time running for office, but there is a first time for everything, and somebody has to do it.
This year, CNBC ranked New Mexico as the 43rd best state for doing business. We need to ease business regulations to make our state more competitive. Because if we do not have a good economy, how can we afford to pay for everything else?
Water shortage is caused by weather change. I support Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's 50-year water action plan to reduce water waste.
New Mexico law enforcement agencies are WAY understaffed. We need to provide more benefits for, and a more aggressive recruitment of future cops. We also have to guarantee Qualified Immunity not just for police, but for first responders in general. Our lives may depend on the actions of people who protect us, and these people have to take risks when making split-second decisions. We need to ensure that these people can afford risks and not get scapegoated when mistakes happen.
Abolish Real Estate Transfer Tax to lower the cost of homes. Enforce laws that protect the rights of property. I live in an apartment complex, and our condo association is near broke, because drug dealers and drug addicts did not pay their dues for YEARS! Now the law-abiding owners and renters have to pick up the slack, because the management company could not get rid of the no-goods.
By easing the way of doing business, and attracting businesses from states where regulation/taxation are too burdensome.
My personal answer is NO. Once we start paying legislators, there is no turning back. The main argument for paying politicians is that good people are not running because they cannot afford to quit their jobs. This is a valid point, but the next question will be: how much exactly should they be paid? A lawyer, a doctor, a businessman who earns six figures will not quit their job unless they’re paid six figures. Are we prepared to pay a legislator a six-figure salary?
Campaign Phone
505-550-5765
Occupation
Paralegal
Born in Albuquerque, I love my State deeply. My parents taught me the values they learned as UNM Lobos, working not “on” or “for” but “with” the community. I’ve brought this value to the work I led at the City and State on some of the largest projects on homelessness and healthcare. I am committed to my community, which is why I came back home after receiving a BA at Harvard and an MA in Economics and Business made possible by scholarships. It would be my honor to continue representing you.
With over 350,000 New Mexicans facing housing instability, the housing crisis affects us all. It is up to us, the community and decision-makers to craft policy with data, humility, and intention. One 2016 study by UNM revealed that for every $1 our City invests in housing someone, we earn back $1.78. Plus, once housed, almost 90% stay housed for more than a year. The smartest way to solve homelessness is housing through voucher programs or by building more affordable housing.
I would ask groups like ABCWUA and the Middle Rio Grande Water protection groups to lead on real actionable plans that directly relate to their communities. Additionally, our state agencies, such as the Office of the State Engineer and Interstate Stream Commission, need resources to get their jobs done– including updated technology to collect the right data. Finally, measures that protect our water no matter what happens at the federal level.
It is our responsibility to foster a safe environment for ALL New Mexicans. There are some successes I’ve taken part in like CABQ’s Violence Intervention Program that works with the individuals most at risk of committing crime and the passage of HB129 that increases the waiting period for a weapon. However, we’ve begun to criminalize some of our most vulnerable neighbors, failing to see the data-proven policies that improve public safety – a living wage, access to treatment, and stable housing.
I am a strong advocate for housing, having worked in homelessness for the past 5 years with CABQ, non-profits, and UNM, and now working for NM Legal Aid and the Abq Affordable Housing Coalition. My most meaningful learnings come from people experiencing housing instability themselves. I will continue to sponsor legislation to address the housing crisis including the $50m we allocated to the Mortgage Finance Authority for developments and prevention policies that provide protections for renters.
As a young person, many friends left NM looking for jobs. I am invested in creating opportunities here at home by: (1) Boosting entrepreneurship and training, which is why I sponsored HB 303 to provide a stipend for Career Technical training. (2) Creating green jobs. We are 2nd in Solar potential but 15th in Solar production, we should leverage federal funds and spur climate investment. (3) Investing in public education and addressing the roots of poverty to make New Mexico a talent hub.
While it’s beautiful that we volunteer, it’s not practical or fair. My good friend would make a great legislator – public service on the weekends, esteemed accountant, a good leader and mentor. But when the opportunity to run arose, he told me he couldn’t-- not with 2 kids and without a salary. We need to pay our legislature so that elected office is meaningfully accessible to EVERYONE. This will make our body more representative of our state and, in turn, our policies better and stronger.
