Featured Presentation
Jon Delgado explained that the featured presentation this month focused on labor unions. He reminded us that May 1 is International Workers’ Day. We heard from Caedmon Ragland, with the NMSU Graduate Students Labor Union, who said they fought for and will now receive 100% tuition coverage for graduate workers. Did you know that public workers in New Mexico are prohibited from striking? Caedmon doesn’t think this is right, especially after the governor promised to restore the right to strike when she was campaigning. We also heard from Eric Keys, local union president for Las Cruces, Local 9424, i.e. blue-collar employees. He told us he represents 420 blue-collar employees such as electricians, plumbers, water operators, and so on. They have just started negotiations and Eric hopes the city will negotiate fairly with the union. Finally, we heard from Brett Orozco, who is with LiUNA Local 16 (Laborers’ International Union of North America). He told us that union labor means trained workers, safety, and environmental responsibility. Brett is dismayed to see so many construction projects in New Mexico being done without union labor. He said that his union supports projects such as the building of data centers because they provide opportunities. He said, “We support those projects because they create opportunity, jobs that allow people to stay here, to support their families, and build long-term careers. But we’re not asking for a free pass. We’re asking for these projects to be done right.” We thank Caedmon, Eric, and Brett for coming to PVA!
Unified Action
The Progressive Voter Alliance doesn’t endorse candidates or causes, but each of us can, in this month’s Unified Action, perform a valuable service by reaching out to others to let them know that an election is coming up and which candidates you personally support. This creation, maintenance and activation of our Personal Influence Networks via email or other types of communication is not only appreciated by those who may be less actively engaged in the political process, it has collectively been tremendously successful over the years in electing good progressive candidates to office.
Plenty of helpful, easily integrated information about the election schedule and candidates who have come to PVA meetings to seek our support is available here.
For more information, contact Don at donkurtz7@gmail.com
Support for Lori Martinez for House District 37
Pat Aguirre has been busy canvassing neighborhoods on behalf of Lori Martinez for the NM House of Representatives District 37, the seat that Joanne Ferrary is retiring from. Pat highlighted Lori’s successful leadership of local nonprofit Engage New Mexico and its many efforts to improve education outcomes in Doña Ana County, as well as Lori’s years of experience with programs in early childhood development, developmental disabilities, mental health counseling, and food security – all of which have given Lori a deep understanding of challenges our county faces.
For more information, contact Pat at patricia.ann.aguirre@gmail.com.
Take your current electric bill and triple it
Rocky Bacchus gave us an update regarding the El Paso Electric rate case. It looks like rates are going to rise quite a lot. Rocky explained, “If we don’t fight the rate case, what we’re looking at is a 73% increase right now, and then another 79% increase in 2030.”
Rocky also endorsed Representative Matthew McQueen for NM Land Commissioner. Rocky is impressed with Rep. McQueen’s accomplishments, especially chairing the House Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Committee. You can find out more about Rep. McQueen here at the campaign website. Rocky said you can remember his name because we need a queen for the land – McQueen for the Land.
For more information, contact Rocky at rockybacchus@gmail.com.
Gas pipeline proposal
Have you heard of the Green Chile Pipeline proposal? Glenn Landers explained that a company called Energy Transfer hopes to build a pipeline from Texas to Arizona. This is the same company that wants to build a pipeline to supply Project Jupiter. They’re also the same company that was trying to build the Dakota pipeline. There are environmental implications, but Glenn said the company itself is scary and very litigious. He signed in at the Open House and found that the women signing people in were also noting those who were opponents of the proposal. Be careful out there! This company sued Greenpeace and won a $345 million judgment.
For more information, contact Glenn at glenn.landers@gmail.com.
Will the City’s new lawyer prevent adequate raises?
Keegan Cross introduced himself as a steward with the United Steelworkers Local 9424. He is very concerned about the lawyer that the City of Las Cruces has hired. Keegan said she’s an anti-union lawyer and has gone around the state of New Mexico, causing trouble with all unions, all public sector unions, trying to prevent adequate raises.
No additional information provided.
All about nuclear power
Lynn Moorer spoke about nuclear power and a project in New Mexico which she says is unfortunately backed by the governor and both of our U.S. senators. Lynn said, “The term advanced nuclear is merely a marketing ploy. Calling it clean tech, our governor is promoting a nuclear fusion project in Albuquerque by a company called Pacific Fusion. Pacific Fusion plans to use deuterium-tritium fuel, which is problematic. Tritium is highly prone to leakage and quickly bonds with other elements. While its half-life is about 12.3 years, its propensity to escape widely into the environment, especially into the air and water, creates a radiological hazard. Even though tritium has a relatively short half-life, it’s extremely radioactive. The governor’s support of Pacific Fusion’s operation is, I’m afraid, exceptionally imprudent.” Now you know!
For more information, contact Lynn at lmoorer3045@gmail.com.
Update from Rep. Joanne Ferrary
Rep. Joanne Ferrary explained that she felt comfortable retiring because Lori Martinez agreed to run for District 37. She believes Lori has the right credentials and experience for the job, especially with regards to behavioral health and education. Joanne also endorsed Rep. Matthew McQueen for Land Commissioner.
For more information, contact Joanne at ferraryrep37@gmail.com.
Pro bono clinic
Chrystian Gonzalez, who is running for Magistrate Court Judge unopposed, announced a pro bono clinic that’s happening in Las Cruces. It’s going to be held at the Third District Court on Main and Picacho on May 30 from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. You can talk to an attorney for free. You can speak to the lawyers about family law issues, landlord-tenant issues, contracts, etc. (anything other than criminal), and they will point you in the right direction.
For more information, contact Chrystian at chrystianforjudge@gmail.com.
Matthew McQueen, running for NM Land Commissioner
Rep. Matthew McQueen said he’s running for Land Commissioner because experience matters. First of all, he said, the state land office is an incredibly important agency here in New Mexico. It has a $27 million budget, and 190 employees. The Land Office holds 9 million acres in trust for the people of New Mexico, and they earn over $2 billion a year. Earn $2 billion a year! That’s not assets, that’s revenue for public schools, universities, and hospitals. In addition to all that, the land commissioner, by statute, sits on the state investment council. Rep. McQueen added, “So if you haven’t heard of the land office, you probably haven’t heard about the state investment council, but they manage our $38 billion land grant permanent fund and our other permanent funds, totaling approximately $70 billion. This is a huge job. I am the candidate with the background, experience, and proven track record to lead this office.” Rep. McQueen has been endorsed by people like former land commissioners Ray Powell and Jim Baca, the Sierra Club, Conservation Voters New Mexico, Animal Protection Voters New Mexico, and AFT, to name a few. You can follow him on Facebook here.
For more information, check out the campaign website.
Right to strike
Jon Delgado said he’s tired of candidates and elected officials not supporting labor unions or saying they do but not backing up their words. “I’m really tired of lip service. I’m really tired of people telling me they support things and then not making the actions required to get it. It bothers me more than anything else,” said Jon. Jon is hoping you will support the hospital workers, who are trying to form a union. He also hopes NM will restore a union’s right to strike. “We can make it happen. We have that power.”
For more information, contact Jon at jonathandpolitics@gmail.com.
Rep. Gallegos chairing interim committee
Legislative aide for Rep. Doreen Gallegos, Adam Sommers told us that Rep. Gallegos is again chairing the Economic & Rural Development & Policy Interim Committee. She is proud to be receiving the FOCUS Award from the New Mexico Chamber of Commerce. You can check out the Representative’s other legislative achievements here. Adam said he is happy to help those who live in District 52 with accessing government resources and related issues.
For more information, contact Adam at adam.sommers@nmlegis.gov.
Where are candidates getting their money and what does it mean?
Lucas Herndon spoke about how Project Jupiter is quietly supporting some candidates. He said that Ramona Martinez, who is running for State Representative in District 33, has taken $2,000 from Vanessa Alarid, a lobbyist for BorderPlex, the parent company behind Project Jupiter. “That’s nearly half of her current war chest, by the way,” added Lucas. Vanessa Alarid lobbies for Yucca Infrastructure, Chevron, and Hillcore. You might recognize Hillcore as the most polluting oil and gas company in the world. “In House District 37, Tilli Villalobos, who’s running for the open seat, has taken $500 from Skye Morris, another lobbyist working for Vanessa Alarid’s firm.” According to Lucas, she’s also taken money from lobbyists working for Exxon, ConocoPhillips, CoreCivic Private Prisons, and PNM. Lucas says it’s important when you go out and vote early, “you should keep in mind who you’re voting for, who they’re taking money from, and if that represents your values.”
For more information, contact Lucas at lucas@progressnownm.org.
Support for County Commission candidate, Angela Garcia
Laura Garcia introduced her friend Daisy (see below) as well as wanted to show support for Angela Garcia, who is running for County Commission, District 1. “Daisy and Angela are among the hardest working women I know.” Laura explained that Daisy (who was formerly on the Sunland Park City Council) and Angela’s diligent work is part of the reason why NM now has Universal Child Care.
For more information, contact Laura at laurajgarcia34@gmail.com.
Dia del Niño events
Daisy Lira announced that this past weekend there would be Dia del Niño events happening in Sunland Park and Chaparral. She said that “organizations, educators, programs and community partners are coming together for two events — all with one shared purpose: our children.” There was entertainment, music, activities, raffles and prizes. Plus, food and refreshments. Daisy also endorsed Angela Garcia for County Commission.
For more information, contact Daisy at daisylira@gmail.com, or join @fullcirclenm, or @thehiveeducation.
Support for those with Parkinson’s Disease
Lynn Austin reminded us about the Parkinson’s Support Group, which meets the third Tuesday of the month at the Holiday Inn Express. He said he did a conservative extrapolation of how many people in Doña Ana County have Parkinson’s Disease and he believes it to be between 500-600 people. Lynn also pointed out that the Superfund site in Las Cruces may have a connection to Parkinson’s Disease.
For more information, contact Lynn at laustin@interserv.com.
Free training about semi-open primaries
Abraham Sanchez, who works with Common Cause, told us that this primary election will be our first semi-open election since the passage of SB16 in 2025. This means that voters whose numbers continue to grow can vote in primary elections in a process called semi open primaries. Independent or DTS (Decline to State) voters can now vote in primary elections by merely selecting the ballot of the major party of their choosing, no need to re-register.
Abraham announced two opportunities to hear more about this. This is especially important for those who are out there canvassing! There is a virtual training on April 27, at 5pm. And there’s an in-person training on May 1, at 5:30pm at the Doña Ana County Election Warehouse, 2821 Las Vegas Court, Las Cruces. To read more about this, or to attend/register the training, click here.
For more information, contact Abraham at asanchez@commoncause.org.
David Mooney, running for State Representative, District 38
David Mooney took a moment to congratulate organizers in Virginia who got redistricting passed. In terms of his campaign for State Representative, David has several priorities which include lobbying transparency, access to healthcare, and protecting our land, air, and water. David also had a message about data centers. He mentioned that there is a right way to deal with the construction of them – and Bernalillo County just passed guardrails for any potential data centers – which can be used as an example for others. “They brought in labor unions, the community, environmental organizations and the developers. Any micro-grids being at 100% renewable on day one. And also offsetting 100% of any water use. Because there definitely is a difference between economic opportunity and economic exploitation,” said David. You can read more about David’s platform on his campaign website.
For more information, contact David at mooneyfornm@gmail.com.
Have friends and family in other parts of New Mexico? Tell them how to vote!
Gayle Eads said she will be doing the unified action, which is to talk to your friends about the primary election. She wanted to emphasize that we can have an impact on people outside of Doña Ana County, too, when we tell them about the statewide candidates we are supporting. Gayle pointed to Rep. Matthew McQueen and County Clerk Amanda Lopez Askin.
For more information, contact Gayle at gayle.s.eads@gmail.com.
Day of Reason cancelled, part 1
Diane Starbuck said she had a sad story to tell. She explained that historically, Las Cruces has held a National Day of Prayer service on the first Thursday in May at noon at City Hall at the flagpole. No permits for the space were issued. There are no documents indicating who sponsored the events, whether the city or another group. A group of citizens who call themselves the Las Cruces NONES, takes exception to this tradition as an unacceptable breach of the separation of church and state. In response to the National Day of Prayer in 2025, the NONES held a National Day of Reason at City Hall. In March of 2026, they started planning for the National Day of Reason 2026 and were informed that they could have the City Hall space. Last Monday, they were informed that we could not have the space because they had it last year. In essence the Day of Reason has been denied by the City, and there seems to be no protocol for reserving the City Hall space.
For more information, contact Diane at deendrewribaudo@gmail.com.
Day of Reason cancelled, part 2
Jim Hoerst also wanted to talk about the Day of Reason being cancelled. He has a plan, however, and that is for people who agree with separation of church and state to meet at 1pm on May 4, at City Hall. The group will enter City Council Chambers together and make public comments to the Mayor and Council. Jim said, “In our comments, we plan to ask the council to pass a resolution calling for an end to religious services at city hall. The use of the City Hall for religious services raises many legitimate issues over the separation of Church and State.”
For more information, contact Jim at seattletags@gmail.com.
The library matters!
Nancy Claypool told us that she’s a relatively new member of the Library Advisory Board and she found out that for the next fiscal year, the Library is looking at some significant budget cuts. “The Library is a kind of quiet resource in the community that is a safe space for neurodivergent people as well as children,” said Nancy, who is asking us to go to some City Council meetings and share how/why the library matters to you. The dates to attend are Monday, May 11th at 1 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall and the following date is Monday, May 18th at 1 p.m. If you can’t attend, then send them an email.
For more information, contact Nancy at nvnj7@yahoo.com.
Julia T. Brown hopes you will write in her name in the General Election
Julia T. Brown is a write-in candidate for County Commission, District 3. Julia explained that according to state law, unless you are running for a federal office or a statewide office as a write-in candidate, you only participate in the general election, not the primary. “I’m qualified, competent, and passionate about Doña Ana County,” she said. Julia is a lawyer; she’s worked at every level of government, city, county, federal, state, and has served in the military, both as an enlisted soldier and as an Army JAG, Judge Advocate General, officer. She wants to bring collaboration and transparency, as well as enhance infrastructure, economic development, and public safety. You can learn all about Julia and her priorities for the commission at her campaign website.
For more information, contact Julia at jtboakland@yahoo.com.
Angela Garcia, running for County Commission, District 1
Angela Garcia spoke about her reasons for running for county commission. The main reason being she can be a powerful ally for children and young people. A couple of years ago, she was the state president of the Child Care Association and in that role she helped make a huge impact when it comes to the current wages in early childhood education. One of her goals, if elected, is to lower the cost of living and bring in good jobs. She also seeks to expand access to healthcare. Finally, she hopes to keep the county safe with more activities for children. You can learn more at the campaign website.
For more information, contact Angela at contactus@angela4donaana.com.
Be sure to catch the candidate fora on KTAL-LP!
Peter Goodman hopes you are listening to KTAL-LP Community Radio! You are also welcome to volunteer for the station. Check out all the shows here on their website. The number on your radio dial is 101.5.
For more information, contact Peter at peter@pgoodmanphotos.com.
Judge Judy, unopposed for re-election, fills us in on the Probate Court
Judy “Judge Judy” Baca expressed her gratitude to Doña Ana County residents for our confidence in her, noting that she is running unopposed for re-election as probate judge. She reported that she has handled over 1,150 probate cases and performed more than 290 weddings, emphasizing the scope and growth of her office’s work. She also described many operational improvements to better serve a growing caseload, including the hiring of additional staff, an expansion of office space, and a soon-to-be-completed secure, fireproof records vault. Looking ahead, Judy shared her goal of increasing accessibility by offering periodic services in the southern part of the county for residents who have difficulty traveling to Las Cruces.
For more information, contact Judy at judebaca@yahoo.com.
Tilli Villalobos seeking election in House District 37
Tilli Villalobos spoke as a candidate for New Mexico House District 37 (where Joanne Ferrary is retiring) and emphatically denied an allegation made earlier in the meeting about her campaign funding. She emphasized that her campaign finance records are public and she has not accepted money from oil and gas interests or anyone connected to Project Jupiter. Instead, she described her career as having been focused on advocacy for workers. She pledged to continue that work if elected.
Tilli outlined a platform centered that includes protecting the right to strike, defending collective bargaining, and ensuring union labor is prioritized in state projects. She pointed to endorsements from Laborers International Union, AFSCME, and the Carpenters’ Union as evidence of that commitment. She asked for our support, framing her campaign as a fight to ensure workers are represented and treated as key partners in New Mexico’s economy and government projects.
For more information, contact Tilli at tillivillalobos@gmail.com.
Jane Asche welcomes us to Democratic Party Ward 7 Meetings
Jane Ashe, vice chair of the Ward 7 Democratic Party, announced Democratic Party meetings for Ward 7 (Sarah Silva’s House of Representatives district) are on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Sonoma Elementary School, 4201 Northrise Drive, from 6:00-7:30. She encouraged Democrats living in that Ward to come to the meetings for discussions about the upcoming primary and general elections. The next meeting will feature Representative Silva as a guest speaker, and all candidates are welcome to attend and speak to the group.
More more information, contact Jane at janeasche4@gmail.com.
Seeking volunteers for Tilli Villalobos in House District 37
Allison Claire Neal Wallace, a veteran organizer/director in key campaigns like those of Jon Hill, Michael Harris and Gabe Vasquez is currently serving as campaign manager for Tilli Villalobos for state representative race in District 37 (where Joanne Ferrary is retiring), a race that Allison Claire described as highly competitive with a very narrow expected margin between two strong candidates.
She emphasized that close elections are decided by grassroots efforts, encouraging supporters to get involved through canvassing, door knocking, phone banking, and other volunteer activities. Allison Claire invited us to join these efforts, noting that Tilli’s campaign is organizing canvassing every weekend. She closed by expressing appreciation for PVA and highlighting the importance of open forums and civic engagement in a healthy democracy.
For more information, contact Allison Claire at Claireallison@525strategies.com.
State Representative Lara Cadena faces outside attacks in contested primary
State Representative Micaela Lara Cadena reminded us that she is a long-time community member and former student activist, an early participant in the PVA, a local organizer and someone with whom we have shared similar values over many years. As a representative she played an important role in repealing New Mexico’s abortion ban, helping pass the Indian Family Protection Act in defense of Native families, and working to make the state’s tax system more progressive for working families.
She has an opponent in the upcoming Democratic primary, in a campaign that she sees as centered on Project Jupiter and her own efforts to raise concerns about transparency, environmental impacts, and water use. She notes that a lobbyist for Project Jupiter is a major contributor to her opponent’s campaign, and described to us the many negative mailers unattributed that have been sent into her district. Micaela urged us to support her in what she sees as a critical stand against major corporate interests determined to influence our local elections.
For more information, contact Micaela at micaela.cadena@gmail.com.
Gina Montoya Ortega, running for County Assessor
Our current county assessor Gina Eugenia Montoya-Ortega is running for re-election, noting that she had the support of 38,000 voters in the last election. She focused on her ongoing effort to carry out a countywide property reappraisal, noting that state law requires such updates every two to four years but that Doña Ana County has not completed one since 2008. She explains that despite multiple requests to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to use designated funds, she has not yet received approval. She is continuing to pursue the necessary reappraisal through a variety of approaches.
Gina emphasized that fair and equitable property taxation is essential for funding public services such as schools, law enforcement, and infrastructure. She noted that she works hard and is committed to ensuring taxpayers pay only their fair share. She also raised concern about an effort to extend the existing 3% cap on residential property tax increases to commercial properties and the negative effect of that extension on the state’s residents.
For more information, contact Gina at euortega00@comcast.net.
Supporting candidates with independence and backbone
William Gilman urged our active participation in the upcoming primary election, arguing that recent actions by major state Democratic leaders have favored Project Jupiter at the expense of important environmental protections and public input. The approval process for related infrastructure like the Green Chile Gas Pipeline is rushed and unrealistic given the project’s scale and potential land impacts.
William called on us to support Democratic candidates who demonstrate independence and a willingness to stand up for community concerns, rather than simply voting along party lines. Emphasizing the need for representatives with “backbone,” he highlighted Daisy Maldonado as an example, encouraging us to mobilize others to vote in the primary.
For more information, contact William at pcvgilman@gmail.com.
Go, unions!
Terri McBrayer recalled for us the devastating 1989 Santa Cruz, CA earthquake, describing how it destroyed much of the downtown area and expressing deep gratitude to the United Steelworkers for helping build temporary structures that allowed the community to function during the holiday season. The message Terri left for us: “Go unions!”
For more information, contact Terri at TMc0337@aol.com.
The NMSU Graduate Workers Union reports in after a day of bargaining
Caedmon Ragland, President of the Graduate Workers Union at New Mexico State University, described contract negotiations with the university following their first bargaining session. He noted that despite recent organizing successes by the GWU graduate workers remain significantly underpaid, estimating that even the highest-paid graduate worker earns about $13,000 less than a living wage in Las Cruces for a single person.
Caedmon criticized the university’s decision to hire well-known management-side attorney, Dina Holcomb, who is also representing management in negotiations with the United Steelworkers, arguing that she is being paid substantial sums to oppose wage increases for workers. He sees this as a misuse of university funds and calls on politically engaged community members to contact NMSU leadership, including President Valerio Ferme and the Board of Regents, to advocate for fair pay and better treatment of graduate workers.
For more information, contact Caedmon at caedmonragland@gmail.com.
Ready for a Picnic in the Park?
Sherry Hulsey invited us all to a Picnic in the Park sponsored by the Democratic Party of Doña Ana County. The picnic will be at Apodaca Park, 801 E. Madrid, on Saturday, May 2 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. It will be a potluck-style brunch, so Sherry said to bring something to share, and a blanket or chair, and enjoy candidates making brief remarks along with updates on the semi-open primary and get out-the-vote plans.
For more information, contact Sherry at sherryhulsey@gmail.com.
Daisy Maldonado, running for Doña Ana County Commission, District 1
Daisy Maldonado, candidate for The Doña Ana County Commission in District 1, reported that she had just attended a public meeting about the proposed Desert Southwest Pipeline, a 520-mile methane pipeline planned to run from Texas through southern New Mexico to Arizona. She raised serious concerns about the project’s potential environmental and public health impacts, including air pollution, excessive water use, and land disruption, framing it as a key issue shaping the upcoming primary and general elections.
Daisy is proud to take a stand against unchecked corporate influence, particularly in relation to initiatives like Project Jupiter, arguing that the community should not be treated as a sacrifice zone. She emphasized her strong commitment to opposing such developments and advocating for local residents, asking us for support through our votes, our outreach to others, and our campaign contributions.
For more information, contact Daisy at daisymaldonado@gmail.com.
Rich Ferrary shares a lifesaving program
Rich Ferrary made a public service announcement based on his recent experience of helping a friend who is at risk of wandering away and becoming lost. He called our attention to Project Lifesaver, a free program run by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Project Lifesaver provides participants with a small, unobtrusive bracelet to wear that can be activated if they go missing.
Rich explained that the device is inactive unless a person is reported missing. When that happens, authorities can activate the device and quickly locate them, making it a valuable safety resource for vulnerable individuals. He notes that the program is not widely known and encourages community members to contact the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s office at 575-525-1911 to learn more and consider the program for those who might benefit.
For more information, contact Rich at golpherbuds@gmail.com.
Kim Stewart’s endorsement based on active engaged leadership
Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart thanked us all for our support during her two terms in office. She describes the challenges of those eight years, including navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and broader national tensions, particularly in a border region like Doña Ana County. She emphasizes that these conditions require active, engaged leadership and urges the community not to remain passive but to support leaders ready to act decisively.
In that context Kim shared with us her endorsement of Vanessa Ordoñez for County Sheriff, especially highlighting Vanessa’s experience and proactive collaboration with the sheriff’s office. She recounted how Ms. Ordoñez consistently reached out to coordinate efforts, including helping establish a county response system that allowed for rapid coverage in the southern part of the county when resources were stretched. Kim said Ms. Ordoñez is the kind of responsive and engaged leader we need as Sheriff.
For more information, contact Kim at kstewart@gmail.com.
Endorsement by International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Cristal introduced herself as a local realtor and one of our Doña Ana County Planning and Zoning Commissioners. She wanted to share with us the following statement from Mark Trujillo, Political Director for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 611:
“The IBEW is proud to endorse Ms. Angela Garcia in the Democratic Primary for County Commission District 1. Angela is a champion for labor, including for collective bargaining, the right to organize, and the right to have prevailing wages on local projects. We are encouraging our brothers and sisters at our allied building trade unions to join us to support Ms. Angela Garcia, and we hope you will join us as well. We need more champions like Angela who understand what it’s like putting in long hours for your family and for your future.”
For more information, contact Cristal at cg@houseofcristal.com.
Lori Martinez, running for New Mexico House District 37
Lori Martinez, a candidate for New Mexico House District 37, the seat Joanne Ferrary is retiring from, highlighted her background as a social worker focused on youth, education, and building community. She describes a recent internship program she helped create for high school students—including those with disabilities, language barriers, and housing insecurity—emphasizing how such initiatives provide opportunity and strengthen community safety. She sees this work as part of her long-standing commitment to investing in young people and supporting education systems from early childhood through higher education.
Lori emphasized that her advocacy for workers and educators isn’t just a campaign promise, but something that has been demonstrated through her career. Her priorities include establishing a single-payer healthcare system in New Mexico, continuing to champion workers’ rights, and strengthening education from “cradle to career.” Referencing her family’s union background and an endorsement from AFT, she underscored her alignment with labor. She concluded by inviting all of us to a fundraiser for her campaign on Thursday, May 7 from 4 to 6 pm – RSVP by emailing Lindley at hornsby.lindley@gmail.com.
For more information, contact Lori at loriforhd37@gmail.com.
Eugene Alvarez, running for Doña Ana County Sheriff
Gene Alvarez, candidate for sheriff, points to his strong background and interest in both law enforcement and education. After a 21-year career with the state police and U.S. Marshals Service he spent a decade working in the Gadsden School District as an educator and school resource officer.
He emphasizes safety in schools as a key priority, pointing out the lack of certified sheriff’s deputies in the Gadsden School District since 2019 and expressing concern about public safety coverage in unincorporated areas, issues that he is committed to addressing. He invited us all to attend an upcoming sheriff candidates forum at 4 pm on May 4th in the Senate Chambers on the 3rd floor of Corbett Center at NMSU.
For more information contact Eugene at ecalvarez1@gmail.com.
K-TAL listener survey will guide station programming
Maria Flores encouraged us to complete a listener survey for our KTAL (101.5 FM) volunteer-run community radio station, available here for one more week. The survey will help the station better understand audience preferences and improve its programming, emphasizing the station’s role as a platform for community voices, issues, and access to the views of political candidates.
For more information, contact Maria at maflores54@gmail.com.
An endorsement based on need for accountability and transparency
Giselle Nance reported that she has re-engaged in local politics to support James Frietze for sheriff and Ruben Reyes for assessor. She expressed frustration with what she described as distracting “noise” on social media and from public officials, arguing that our community should focus instead on more meaningful issues like accountability and transparency.
Giselle endorsed James and Ruben because she believes they will bring experience and a commitment to openness in government. She also said she is concerned about a lack of response from the sheriff’s office in a past elder abuse situation, contrasting it with assistance she received from state police. She concluded by encouraging us to get involved, meet the candidates, and participate in canvassing efforts to support candidates committed to more transparent and responsive local government.
For more information, contact Giselle at nancegissel@gmail.com.
Living in the shadow of Project Jupiter
Christine Dobbin, a resident of an unincorporated community near Anthony, New Mexico, talked about living close to the Project Jupiter site. She described daily concerns about air quality, including visible emissions and odors that affect breathing. She also expressed frustration that many of the workers she observes are from out of state rather than local communities. She argued that economic development tied to such projects is not benefiting local residents and called for greater investment in local workers, unions, and economic mobility within the region.
Christine also raised broader concerns about environmental and infrastructure challenges in her community, including arsenic-contaminated water and limited county support for unincorporated areas. She criticizes current leadership for prioritizing corporate interests over community needs. She voiced strong support for Daisy Maldonado for County Commissioner in District 1, who she believes will advocate for residents and prioritize local voices. She urged us to get involved through canvassing and community engagement to promote leadership that reflects and serves local interests.
For more information, contact Christine at dobbin.cc@gmail.com.
James Frietze, running for Doña Ana County Sheriff
James Frietze outlined his qualifications and priorities in his campaign for sheriff, highlighting his 25-year career with the New Mexico State Police, including 13 years in supervisory roles, managing large regions like Alamogordo and Doña Ana County, overseeing thousands of square miles, significant populations, and coordination with federal installations like White Sands Missile Range.
He made clear that he would not have local law enforcement assisting federal immigration enforcement such as ICE, citing state law that restricts such involvement. Additionally, he proposed creating a more flexible court access initiative to better serve residents and law enforcement personnel who cannot access services during standard hours. He has been endorsed by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office union, which is an affiliate of the Communication Workers of America. Find out more at his campaign website.
For more information, contact James at james4sheriff@gmail.com.
Ruben Reyes, candidate for County Assessor
Ruben Reyes, candidate for Assessor in Doña Ana County, emphasized his 30 years of experience in the assessor’s office, including 15 years in a supervisory role. His background includes hands-on experience in property assessment: measuring buildings, appraising properties, and gaining practical, “boots on the ground” knowledge that he believes has been lacking in elected leadership since 2008.
Ruben especially emphasized the importance of conducting regular countywide property reappraisals, which state law requires every two years but that have not been completed in Doña Ana County since 2008. He explained that reappraisals not only update property values but also correct inaccurate records that can affect taxes, insurance premiums, and mortgage calculations. Citing practical examples, he illustrated how outdated or incorrect property data can lead to residents overpaying taxes or insurance, stressing that proper reappraisals would ensure fairness and accuracy for taxpayers.
For more information, contact Ruben at rubenreyes22@yahoo.com.
Vanessa Ordoñez, running for Doña Ana County Sheriff
Vanessa Ordonez, candidate for Doña Ana County Sheriff, pointed to her experience as a collaborative and experienced law enforcement leader, with strong working relationships across agencies in the county. She highlighted her partnership with current Sheriff Kim Stewart, as well as her active coordination with police chiefs, the Marshal’s Office, mental health providers, and local institutions such as Mesilla Valley Hospital. As the former Police Chief in Anthony, New Mexico she helped lead efforts that resulted in the city becoming one of the safest in the state, crediting teamwork and sustained collaboration.
Vanessa also underscored her ongoing involvement in public safety initiatives, including leadership roles on criminal justice and juvenile justice boards, where she is working on programs to address issues like youth gun violence. She said that her track record demonstrates proven leadership, cultural competence, and emotional intelligence. She outlined a goal of modernizing training and improving professionalism across law enforcement, aiming to ensure respectful and effective service for the entire community.
For more information, visit Vanessa’s campaign website.
Shannon Reynolds, running for County Assessor
Shannon reflected on his background with organized labor, including working in a union job with the AFL-CIO and serving as a union steward. He compared U.S. labor practices with European models, noting that in Europe union representatives often sit on corporate boards, which he believes improves communication between workers and management. He advocated for similar representation in the U.S., arguing that a seat at the decision-making level would strengthen unions and better align interests.
Shannon also praised current Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart for her performance over the past eight years, contrasting her administration’s lower legal costs with those of her predecessor. Additionally, with Kim termed out of office, he expressed support for Vanessa Ordoñez in this year’s election for sheriff, citing Vanessa’s involvement in county initiatives such as improving communication coverage and public safety infrastructure. Finally, he addressed the absence of officers in Gadsden schools, explaining that disagreements over liability and costs in proposed contracts have prevented an agreement, and he offered to discuss the issue further with interested community members.
For more information, contact Shannon at shannondr@gmail.com.
Isabel Jerabek, running for District Judge
Isabel Jerabek, candidate for district judge in the 3rd Judicial District (Doña Ana County) highlighted her long-standing commitment to improving access to justice. Drawing on over 20 years of experience as an attorney in Doña Ana County, she explained that she has consistently tried to keep legal services affordable, often working longer hours rather than charging high hourly rates that many clients could not afford.
Isabel pointed to that same strong work ethic as a quality she would bring to the bench, noting that even after transitioning from private practice to a full-time court role, she continues to work extended hours to serve the public. She is basing her candidacy on dedication, accessibility, and a willingness to put in the time necessary to ensure justice is delivered effectively.
Isabel also invited us to a Free Legal Clinic sponsored by the 3rd District Court Pro Bono Committee, scheduled for Saturday, May 30 from 10 am to 3 pm, at the District Court, 201 W. Picacho.
For more information, contact isabeljerabek@gmail.com.
Protecting our neighbors in confrontations with ICE
Jovanny Hernandez, a local organizer with the New Mexico Dream Team, addressing concerns about immigration enforcement in the community. He had just come from ICE activity targeting a local family with small children, part of a broader concern about ICE over-enforcement. He shared with us information about a community-led hotline (575-579-5790) that we can call to report ICE activity, ensuring that trained volunteers will respond to provide support, connect affected individuals with legal resources, and assist the families involved.
Jovanny emphasized the importance of community awareness and collective action, distributing “Know Your Rights” materials in both English and Spanish. He encouraged attendees to share this information widely on social media. The goal is to ensure that all individuals—regardless of immigration status—understand their rights and have access to support networks when facing enforcement actions.
For more information contact Jovanny at jovannyhernandez.26@gmail.com.
A thank you to the nurses at the Memorial Medical Center
Albert Leigh shared with us that, after decades of relative good health, he recently faced a series of acute medical crises over a two-and-a-half-week period, including a bone spur, sciatic nerve pain, knee concerns, and gout. Reflecting on these challenges, he expressed his deep gratitude to the nurses at Memorial Hospital for their care and dedication in helping him recover during that difficult time.
For more information, contact Albert at goriiileigh@gmail.com.