State Representative District 43
State Representatives sit in the New Mexico House of Representatives, which is the lower house of New Mexico. Representatives introduce and vote on proposed laws, serve on legislative committees, and participate in hearings, floor debates, fact-finding and investigations. They also may assist constituents with issues and problems the constituents may have with government agencies within New Mexico. Term: Two years; no term limits.
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CHRISTINE CHANDLER
(Dem)
1. What qualifies you for this office?
2. How would you address your highest priorities?
3. How should the legislature address future water needs in an increasingly arid state?
4. What criteria should be applied when considering proposed large economic development projects?
5. What more can be done to ensure that residents have adequate access to health care in your district?
mailingstate
NM
Campaign Phone
505-670-7046
Occupation
Lawyer
Filing County
Los Alamos
My experience in public service is broad. In addition to my service as District 43 Representative for nearly 8 years, I was elected as a Los Alamos County Councilor twice and also serviced as Los Alamos Probate Judge. I chaired the House Taxation & Revenue Committee prior to my current chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee. I have an established a track record of carrying legislation that is well-researched, balanced and consistently focused on advancing the interests of New Mexico working families. For example, I successfully led House efforts to enact meaningful medical malpractice reform and supported other legislation that will improve healthcare access.
To lay the ground work for my legislative priorities, I consult constituents, various stake holder groups and colleagues in both chambers as well as executive branch staff to understand state needs and gaps. I study the underlying policies and often look at successful legislative approaches in other states. My current legislative priorities continue to be health care access and quality, data privacy, AI consumer protection regimes, and the protection of the civil rights of all New Mexico residents. I will continue to work to support initiatives that improve our educational system and the welfare of our children and families.
Efforts that the state should advance are supporting technologies to mine and clean brackish water and encouraging more effective use of surface and ground water, especially in agriculture. The legislature should develop a regulatory frame work for deep water mining and for industries that rely heavily on water use such as resource extraction and data centers.
In addition to thinking strategically about what projects "fit" the state's natural resource and labor skill sets, the state and/or local governments should develop and apply enviroment impact criteria that evaluate and inform the public as to the environmental and societal implications of a proposal. Mitigation measures should be required as appropriate based on the impact assessment.
Improving patient access to health care requires both short-term strategies and long-term strategies. Short-term strategies include enacting all the health care compacts, implementing strong recruitment programs, supporting increased physican residency programs, and offering robust loan repayment programs. Longer-term strategies include expanding the medical school and other health care educational programs. The quality of our schools and the safety of our neighborhoods are issues that have been cited as detracting from our recruitment efforts. We must continue to advance policies that address these issues as well.
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