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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 Senator, District 30
Senate District 30 is an open seat this year as Senator Joshua A. Sanchez is not running for re-election. Angel Charley and Clemente Sanchez are running to represent this seat. We recommend Angel Charley for Senate District 30.
Angel Charley is running in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 30, which is currently an open seat.
Charley is currently the Executive Director of IllumiNative, and previously worked as Executive Director for Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. Her volunteer experience includes serving on the boards of the Laguna Federation of Democratic Women, Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence, Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Collaborative, City of Albuquerque’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission, and as Board Chair for Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. She is also a graduate of Laguna High School and the University of Hawaii.
Charley’s track record in improving the lives of rural and Native/Indigenous New Mexicans is well known, including working to pass the Indian Families Protection Act in 2022, supporting COVID-19 pandemic response measures for tribal communities, and her efforts on New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force. She has also testified in front of Congress as an expert on MMIW and is a member of the White House Trilateral Working Group.
Her priorities include expanding access to community health centers, updating the Renewable Portfolio Standards to include New Mexico’s Tribal communities, increasing infrastructure investment in rural and tribal communities, and direct assistance to help those facing housing crises through measures like rent control or down payment assistance for homebuyers. She also supports the modernization efforts around reforming New Mexico’s legislature so that working people and full-time parents can not only run for office but also interact with lawmakers more effectively.
We highly recommend Angel Charley for Senate District 30 based on her experience in community organizing, nonprofit management, public health and healthcare access, and advocating for Indigenous New Mexicans.
Angel Charley is running in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 30, which is currently an open seat.
Charley is currently the Executive Director of IllumiNative, and previously worked as Executive Director for Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. Her volunteer experience includes serving on the boards of the Laguna Federation of Democratic Women, Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence, Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Collaborative, City of Albuquerque’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission, and as Board Chair for Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. She is also a graduate of Laguna High School and the University of Hawaii.
Charley’s track record in improving the lives of rural and Native/Indigenous New Mexicans is well known, including working to pass the Indian Families Protection Act in 2022, supporting COVID-19 pandemic response measures for tribal communities, and her efforts on New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force. She has also testified in front of Congress as an expert on MMIW and is a member of the White House Trilateral Working Group.
Her priorities include expanding access to community health centers, updating the Renewable Portfolio Standards to include New Mexico’s Tribal communities, increasing infrastructure investment in rural and tribal communities, and direct assistance to help those facing housing crises through measures like rent control or down payment assistance for homebuyers. She also supports the modernization efforts around reforming New Mexico’s legislature so that working people and full-time parents can not only run for office but also interact with lawmakers more effectively.
We highly recommend Angel Charley for Senate District 30 based on her experience in community organizing, nonprofit management, public health and healthcare access, and advocating for Indigenous New Mexicans.
Endorsed By: Conservation Voters New Mexico
,
Equality New Mexico
,
NEA New Mexico
,
New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund
,
NM Native Vote
,
OLÉ
,
Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
Working Families Party New Mexico
,
"Martin Heinrich, U.S. Senator ", "Melanie Stansbury, U.S. Representative ", New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 611, AFSCME Council 18, Emily's List
Angel Charley is running in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 30, which is currently an open seat.
Charley is currently the Executive Director of IllumiNative, and previously worked as Executive Director for Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women. Her volunteer experience includes serving on the boards of the Laguna Federation of Democratic Women, Alliance of Tribal Coalitions to End Violence, Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) Collaborative, City of Albuquerque’s Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Commission, and as Board Chair for Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. She is also a graduate of Laguna High School and the University of Hawaii.
Charley’s track record in improving the lives of rural and Native/Indigenous New Mexicans is well known, including working to pass the Indian Families Protection Act in 2022, supporting COVID-19 pandemic response measures for tribal communities, and her efforts on New Mexico’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force. She has also testified in front of Congress as an expert on MMIW and is a member of the White House Trilateral Working Group.
Her priorities include expanding access to community health centers, updating the Renewable Portfolio Standards to include New Mexico’s Tribal communities, increasing infrastructure investment in rural and tribal communities, and direct assistance to help those facing housing crises through measures like rent control or down payment assistance for homebuyers. She also supports the modernization efforts around reforming New Mexico’s legislature so that working people and full-time parents can not only run for office but also interact with lawmakers more effectively.
We highly recommend Angel Charley for Senate District 30 based on her experience in community organizing, nonprofit management, public health and healthcare access, and advocating for Indigenous New Mexicans.
Endorsed By: Conservation Voters New Mexico
,
Equality New Mexico
,
NEA New Mexico
,
New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund
,
NM Native Vote
,
OLÉ
,
Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
Working Families Party New Mexico
,
"Martin Heinrich, U.S. Senator ", "Melanie Stansbury, U.S. Representative ", New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 611, AFSCME Council 18, Emily's List
Other Candidates
Clemente Sanchez is running in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 30, which is currently an open seat.
Sanchez is the President and CEO for Bank of New Mexico, and previously worked as Director of the Small Business Development Center at New Mexico State University - Grants Campus. He was one of a handful of senators voted out of office in 2020 in favor of more progressive candidates, losing a seat in the primary he’d held since 2013, with less than 40% of voters backing him.
While in office, Sanchez voted against the 2019 effort to decriminalize abortion in New Mexico (HB51) and “took a walk” rather than voting on a measure requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for contraceptives (HB89). He also voted against a bill that ensured unions in New Mexico could continue to work for their members in every county and municipality in the state (HB85), voted against requiring background checks for firearm purchases (SB8), and against an early attempt at legalizing cannabis in 2016. His voting record demonstrates he does not support enacting environmental policy aimed at reducing the effects of climate change and his voting history consistently supports the oil and gas industry. Additionally, Sanchez received significant monetary support from the oil and gas industry, contributing over $40,000 to his failed re-election campaign in 2020.
Based on his consistently voting against healthcare access/protecting bodily autonomy, and against environmental protections, we do not recommend Clemente Sanchez for Senate District 30.
Clemente Sanchez is running in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 30, which is currently an open seat.
Sanchez is the President and CEO for Bank of New Mexico, and previously worked as Director of the Small Business Development Center at New Mexico State University - Grants Campus. He was one of a handful of senators voted out of office in 2020 in favor of more progressive candidates, losing a seat in the primary he’d held since 2013, with less than 40% of voters backing him.
While in office, Sanchez voted against the 2019 effort to decriminalize abortion in New Mexico (HB51) and “took a walk” rather than voting on a measure requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for contraceptives (HB89). He also voted against a bill that ensured unions in New Mexico could continue to work for their members in every county and municipality in the state (HB85), voted against requiring background checks for firearm purchases (SB8), and against an early attempt at legalizing cannabis in 2016. His voting record demonstrates he does not support enacting environmental policy aimed at reducing the effects of climate change and his voting history consistently supports the oil and gas industry. Additionally, Sanchez received significant monetary support from the oil and gas industry, contributing over $40,000 to his failed re-election campaign in 2020.
Based on his consistently voting against healthcare access/protecting bodily autonomy, and against environmental protections, we do not recommend Clemente Sanchez for Senate District 30.
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
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.
Senate District 30 is an open seat this year as Senator Joshua A. Sanchez is not running for re-election. Angel Charley and Clemente Sanchez are running to represent this seat. We recommend Angel Charley for Senate District 30.