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ProgressNow New Mexico Votes Progressive Voters Guide

Welcome to the New Mexico Progressive Voters Guide! The Progressive Voters Guide compiles the information that allows you to make informed decisions about the races on your ballot, based on your values. Please share this guide with your friends and family!

State House of Representatives

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

Representative, District 6

Eliseo Lee Alcon is running for re-election to House District 6. He has served in the legislature since 2009, and is currently Chair of the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Retired from the US Army as a disabled veteran, Alcon served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star in 2019 alongside his Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars and The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm.

Alcon is motivated to run for re-election for HD6 because of his passion for reinforcing working families, unions and fair wages, and a sustainable economy. His priorities and legislative record include a focus on education, healthcare, economic development, and advocating for veterans.

Alcon has strong track record of meeting the needs of New Mexicans, including sponsoring legislation during the 2024 session to establish a service members suicide prevention program (HB298) and requiring public colleges and universities to include material on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), as well as voting for prohibiting firearms at state polling location (SB5), establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), and establishing state clean energy standards (HB41). In 2023, he voted to establish state protections for abortion and gender affirming care (SB13), requiring health insurance companies to provide reimbursement for mental health coverage (SB273), the Voting Rights Act and Native American Voting Rights Act (HB4), establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9).

We highly recommend Eliseo Lee Alcon for re-election to House District 6 based on his track record of supporting New Mexico’s working families and protecting healthcare rights and access.

Eliseo Lee Alcon is running for re-election to House District 6. He has served in the legislature since 2009, and is currently Chair of the House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee and member of the House Judiciary Committee.

Retired from the US Army as a disabled veteran, Alcon served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Star in 2019 alongside his Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars and The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm.

Alcon is motivated to run for re-election for HD6 because of his passion for reinforcing working families, unions and fair wages, and a sustainable economy. His priorities and legislative record include a focus on education, healthcare, economic development, and advocating for veterans.

Alcon has strong track record of meeting the needs of New Mexicans, including sponsoring legislation during the 2024 session to establish a service members suicide prevention program (HB298) and requiring public colleges and universities to include material on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), as well as voting for prohibiting firearms at state polling location (SB5), establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), and establishing state clean energy standards (HB41). In 2023, he voted to establish state protections for abortion and gender affirming care (SB13), requiring health insurance companies to provide reimbursement for mental health coverage (SB273), the Voting Rights Act and Native American Voting Rights Act (HB4), establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9).

We highly recommend Eliseo Lee Alcon for re-election to House District 6 based on his track record of supporting New Mexico’s working families and protecting healthcare rights and access.

Other Candidates

Priscilla Benally is running against incumbent Eliseo Lee Alcon in the Democratic Primary for House District 9. She did not return our questionnaire and we were unable to locate a campaign website or social media profiles, so all information provided is from public sources. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Priscilla Benally for House District 6. 

Daniel Torrez did not return our questionnaire and we were unable to locate a campaign website or social media profiles. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Daniel Torrez for House District 6. 
 

Priscilla Benally is running against incumbent Eliseo Lee Alcon in the Democratic Primary for House District 9. She did not return our questionnaire and we were unable to locate a campaign website or social media profiles, so all information provided is from public sources. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Priscilla Benally for House District 6. 

Daniel Torrez did not return our questionnaire and we were unable to locate a campaign website or social media profiles. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Daniel Torrez for House District 6. 
 

Representative, District 69

Michelle “Paulene” Abeyta is running against incumbent Harry Garcia in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. 

Abeyta is an attorney and member of the Navajo Nation from To’hajiilee, New Mexico. She holds a Juris Doctor degree with a certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, and is also a graduate of the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College. She serves on the To’hajiilee Community School Board of Education and the National Native American Bar Association Board. She previously served on the Woman, Infants & Children (WIC) Board for the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Service Unit, the Canoncito Band of Navajos Health Center, Inc. Board, and the National Native American Law Students Association. 

Abeyta’s desire to be a voice for the people, lived experience organizing for workers rights, and frustration with current representation are what motivate her to run for House District 69. Her priorities are education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, including access to reproductive health in rural areas via school based health centers and school nurses, increased investment in child care providers and early childhood educators, and shifting to jobs in clean and renewable energy through workforce development and training. She supports modernizing the state legislature so there is more fair compensation and staffing for legislators in order for a range of people to be able to participate. 

Abeyta also supports Paid Family Medical Leave legislation, increasing the state’s minimum wage to ensure a living wage, and more investment in funding for mental health and substance use disorder healthcare programs. With respect to affordable housing, Abeyta is in support of more affordable housing options including micro-housing communities in areas with minimal or no infrastructure. She also supports abolishing the rent control ban and increased protections for renters. Additionally, Abeyta is in support of LGBTQ+ rights and supports environmental protections, including reducing the state’s dependence on oil and gas, and closely consulting with tribal governments to ensure that natural resources and lands are respected and valued. 

We highly recommend Michelle ‘Paulene’ Abeyta based on her focus on education, policy/good governance, and healthcare, as well as support for LGBTQ+ rights and protections.

Michelle “Paulene” Abeyta is running against incumbent Harry Garcia in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. 

Abeyta is an attorney and member of the Navajo Nation from To’hajiilee, New Mexico. She holds a Juris Doctor degree with a certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, and is also a graduate of the University of New Mexico and Central New Mexico Community College. She serves on the To’hajiilee Community School Board of Education and the National Native American Bar Association Board. She previously served on the Woman, Infants & Children (WIC) Board for the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Service Unit, the Canoncito Band of Navajos Health Center, Inc. Board, and the National Native American Law Students Association. 

Abeyta’s desire to be a voice for the people, lived experience organizing for workers rights, and frustration with current representation are what motivate her to run for House District 69. Her priorities are education, healthcare, and economic opportunity, including access to reproductive health in rural areas via school based health centers and school nurses, increased investment in child care providers and early childhood educators, and shifting to jobs in clean and renewable energy through workforce development and training. She supports modernizing the state legislature so there is more fair compensation and staffing for legislators in order for a range of people to be able to participate. 

Abeyta also supports Paid Family Medical Leave legislation, increasing the state’s minimum wage to ensure a living wage, and more investment in funding for mental health and substance use disorder healthcare programs. With respect to affordable housing, Abeyta is in support of more affordable housing options including micro-housing communities in areas with minimal or no infrastructure. She also supports abolishing the rent control ban and increased protections for renters. Additionally, Abeyta is in support of LGBTQ+ rights and supports environmental protections, including reducing the state’s dependence on oil and gas, and closely consulting with tribal governments to ensure that natural resources and lands are respected and valued. 

We highly recommend Michelle ‘Paulene’ Abeyta based on her focus on education, policy/good governance, and healthcare, as well as support for LGBTQ+ rights and protections.

Endorsed By: Dreams in Action , Equality New Mexico , Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate , New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund , NM Native Vote , OLÉ , Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico , Sierra Club , "Jonathan Nez, Former Navajo Nation President", "Nora Morris, To’Hajiilee Navajo Chapter Vice President", Emily's List

Other Candidates

Harry Garcia
Harry Garcia is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. Garcia did not return a questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources. Garcia has served in the seat since 2016. He is currently Vice Chair of the Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee and on the Appropriations and Finance Committee. 

Garcia is retired and has previously mentioned his background as a business owner for 40 years as well as a Vietnam Veteran who served in the US Marines. His priorities include jobs, education and veterans. 

While Garcia has been active in sponsoring and supporting various initiatives that align with the needs of New Mexicans, he has voted against many critical bills. In 2024 he voted against legislation to prohibit firearms at state voting drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establish a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), set clean energy standards at the state level (SB41), as well as against critical bills in 2023 such as enact protections for abortion and gender-affirming healthcare (SB13), establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9). Garcia’s vote history further back includes repeatedly voting against background checks for firearms and he voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2021 (SB10). 

Given Garcia’s vote history against critical policies, we do not recommend him for House District 69. 

Stanley Michael 
Stanley Michael is running against incumbent Harry Garcia in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. Michael did not return our questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources.

Michael works at El Segundo/Lee Ranch Mine operated by Peabody Energy, and has also worked for the NM State Human Services Department as well as the Highway and Corrections Departments. He serves as president of the Los Alamitos Home Owners Association and is on the San Mateo Acequia Association. He also coaches and serves as a referee for youth baseball and football leagues. 

His priorities include economic development and jobs, affordable housing, education, and addressing crime. However, very little information was available on what specific policies he would support to address those needs. 

There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Stanley Michael. 

 

Harry Garcia
Harry Garcia is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. Garcia did not return a questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources. Garcia has served in the seat since 2016. He is currently Vice Chair of the Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee and on the Appropriations and Finance Committee. 

Garcia is retired and has previously mentioned his background as a business owner for 40 years as well as a Vietnam Veteran who served in the US Marines. His priorities include jobs, education and veterans. 

While Garcia has been active in sponsoring and supporting various initiatives that align with the needs of New Mexicans, he has voted against many critical bills. In 2024 he voted against legislation to prohibit firearms at state voting drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establish a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), set clean energy standards at the state level (SB41), as well as against critical bills in 2023 such as enact protections for abortion and gender-affirming healthcare (SB13), establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9). Garcia’s vote history further back includes repeatedly voting against background checks for firearms and he voted against the repeal of the abortion ban in 2021 (SB10). 

Given Garcia’s vote history against critical policies, we do not recommend him for House District 69. 

Stanley Michael 
Stanley Michael is running against incumbent Harry Garcia in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. Michael did not return our questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources.

Michael works at El Segundo/Lee Ranch Mine operated by Peabody Energy, and has also worked for the NM State Human Services Department as well as the Highway and Corrections Departments. He serves as president of the Los Alamitos Home Owners Association and is on the San Mateo Acequia Association. He also coaches and serves as a referee for youth baseball and football leagues. 

His priorities include economic development and jobs, affordable housing, education, and addressing crime. However, very little information was available on what specific policies he would support to address those needs. 

There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Stanley Michael.