New Mexico voters oust incumbents from Legislature with positive implications for paid family leave
New Mexico voters oust incumbents from Legislature with positive implications for paid family leave
Cecelia Ammon fills out her ballot on primary election day at the Central Mercado in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
A voter casts his ballot at a polling location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - Republican political contender Steve Jones, of Ruidoso, N.M., submits a petition to run for the Republican nomination in hope of challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, of Albuquerque, Feb. 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Jones are competing to take on incumbent Stansbury in Congressional District 1, an Albuquerque-based district that leans Democrat. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
Poll workers help voters at an election center at the Holly Plaza Shopping Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, discusses a bill during a Senate Public Affair Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)
Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, right, greets his applauding supporters during a celebratory watch party at Hotel Andaluz in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Janet Harman, with Vote Uncommitted New Mexico, holds a sign outside the Daskalos Center, urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the June 4 primary election, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - New Mexico state Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, a member of the Navajo Nation, listens during the opening day of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee,File)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Voters check in with poll workers at a voting location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Jeff Van Der Mey displays his voting sticker after he and his wife Pat Van Der Mey cast their ballots in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Brenda Wilvert, of Sandia Park, casts her ballot at Tijeras City Hall in Tijeras, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
A voter submits his ballot in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - New Mexico state Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, attends a legislative committee hearing, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - Audrey Trujillo, right, candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, attends a conference on conspiracy theories about voting machines and discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election, at a hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)
Forest Williams fills out his ballot at an election center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Cecelia Ammon fills out her ballot on primary election day at the Central Mercado in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Cecelia Ammon fills out her ballot on primary election day at the Central Mercado in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
A voter casts his ballot at a polling location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
A voter casts his ballot at a polling location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - Republican political contender Steve Jones, of Ruidoso, N.M., submits a petition to run for the Republican nomination in hope of challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, of Albuquerque, Feb. 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Jones are competing to take on incumbent Stansbury in Congressional District 1, an Albuquerque-based district that leans Democrat. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - Republican political contender Steve Jones, of Ruidoso, N.M., submits a petition to run for the Republican nomination in hope of challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, of Albuquerque, Feb. 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Jones are competing to take on incumbent Stansbury in Congressional District 1, an Albuquerque-based district that leans Democrat. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
Poll workers help voters at an election center at the Holly Plaza Shopping Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Poll workers help voters at an election center at the Holly Plaza Shopping Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, discusses a bill during a Senate Public Affair Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)
FILE - Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, discusses a bill during a Senate Public Affair Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)
Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, right, greets his applauding supporters during a celebratory watch party at Hotel Andaluz in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, right, greets his applauding supporters during a celebratory watch party at Hotel Andaluz in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Janet Harman, with Vote Uncommitted New Mexico, holds a sign outside the Daskalos Center, urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the June 4 primary election, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Janet Harman, with Vote Uncommitted New Mexico, holds a sign outside the Daskalos Center, urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the June 4 primary election, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - New Mexico state Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, a member of the Navajo Nation, listens during the opening day of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee,File)
FILE - New Mexico state Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, a member of the Navajo Nation, listens during the opening day of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee,File)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Voters check in with poll workers at a voting location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Voters check in with poll workers at a voting location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Jeff Van Der Mey displays his voting sticker after he and his wife Pat Van Der Mey cast their ballots in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Jeff Van Der Mey displays his voting sticker after he and his wife Pat Van Der Mey cast their ballots in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Brenda Wilvert, of Sandia Park, casts her ballot at Tijeras City Hall in Tijeras, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Brenda Wilvert, of Sandia Park, casts her ballot at Tijeras City Hall in Tijeras, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
A voter submits his ballot in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
A voter submits his ballot in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - New Mexico state Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, attends a legislative committee hearing, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - New Mexico state Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, attends a legislative committee hearing, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - Audrey Trujillo, right, candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, attends a conference on conspiracy theories about voting machines and discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election, at a hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)
FILE - Audrey Trujillo, right, candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, attends a conference on conspiracy theories about voting machines and discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election, at a hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)
Forest Williams fills out his ballot at an election center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Forest Williams fills out his ballot at an election center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico voters have ousted several incumbent lawmakers in the state’s primary election, as ballots were tallied Wednesday.
Former school board member and educator Jon Hill of Las Cruces defeated state Rep. Willie Madrid of Chapparal in Tuesday’s primary election. Hill campaigned in support of environmental and progressive initiatives — including the need for paid family leave legislation after a bill failed this year on a 34-36 state House vote, with several Democrats including Madrid voting in opposition. The district borders Texas and traverses the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument.
Uncertified election results also show Anita Gonzales of Las Vegas, New Mexico, capturing the Democratic nomination to a rural district that unites distant communities from Moriarty to Pecos. She defeated two-term state Rep. Ambrose Castellano of Serafina, an opponent of the paid family leave legislation. Nearly 70% of district residents identify themselves as Latino.
More than 20 incumbents had challengers in the primary, under a closed system that limits participation to voters who register with major parties, leaving out minor-party or unaffiliated voters, but not Libertarians.
In House District 69, incumbent Democratic Rep. Harry Garcia of Grants, a social conservative on abortion and proponent of gun rights, lost his bid for a fifth term. Attorney Michelle “Paulene” Abeyta of To’hajiilee on the Navajo Nation won the nomination for a district where two-thirds of registered voters identify as Native American. Abeyta has no Republican competition in the general election.
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In Senate District 13, incumbent state Sen. Bill O’Neill of Albuquerque was defeated in the Democratic primary by Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley in a contest between seasoned politicians in a heavily redrawn district that includes downtown Albuquerque.
O’Malley signaled concerns about crime and homelessness as top priorities, while corralling endorsements from labor unions representing teachers and public employees.
O’Neill, an advocate on juvenile justice issues, brought a literary flair to the Legislature, publishing a volume of poetry about prominent Statehouse personalities and a two-person stage play, “Save the Bees,” about friendship between two lawmakers who are ideological opposites. The play inspired public readings and performances across New Mexico and beyond.
Tuesday’s primary included the first state Senate election since redistricting in 2021 and held implications for Native American communities, the state’s oil industry and the #MeToo movement.
Native American candidates made inroads toward greater representation in the Legislature with victories in two closely watched Democratic primaries. District attorneys withstood primary challengers in crime-weary Albuquerque, as well as in Santa Fe, where special prosecutors are preparing to bring Alec Baldwin to trial in July on an involuntary manslaughter charge.
And Two Republicans who have stoked Donald Trump’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 election won GOP nominations for state Senate, advancing to competitive general election contests.
Democratic voters in the Albuquerque district ousted state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment and bullying behavior that he disputed.
He was beaten by progressive challenger Heather Berghmans, who will compete in November against GOP contender Craig Degenhardt. The district extends from the intersection of Interstates 25 and 40 toward the city’s northeastern heights.
In House District 62, Republican contender Elaine Sena Cortez of Hobbs won a three-way primary to secure a seat in the heart of southeastern New Mexico’s oil economy currently held by petroleum engineer Larry Scott, with no Democratic competition in the general election. Scott won the decisive Republican nomination for an overlapping state Senate district, defeating recently appointed state Sen. Steve McCutcheon of Carlsbad.