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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!
Representative, District 39
Gabby Begay is running against Gilbert Guadiana in the Democratic Primary for House District 39, which is currently held by Republican incumbent Luis Terrazas. Begay is an experienced public school teacher who is passionate about improving the state’s educational system. She is an Emerge graduate and currently serves on the NM Commission on the Status of Women as well as serving as President of the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education. Begay was chosen by her cohort peers as the 2024 NM Teach Plus Fellow of the Year, and is a past member of the union AFSCME and current member of the National Education Association.
Begay’s motivation to run for House District 39 comes from her experience as an educator and her desire to empower, inspire, and educate the future generations. Her top priorities include advocating for better resources, modernizing classrooms, and supporting both students and teachers. Other focus areas include improving access to healthcare in rural NM by supporting the 20/80 contribution formula and incentivizing health practitioners located in underserved areas. She also cares deeply about working to create a criminal justice system that is rehabilitative, addressing climate change by supporting a one mile setback for new development of oil, and fighting to protect access to abortion.
We highly recommend Gabby Begay for House District 39 based on her work and volunteer experience with education and access to healthcare.
Gabby Begay is running against Gilbert Guadiana in the Democratic Primary for House District 39, which is currently held by Republican incumbent Luis Terrazas. Begay is an experienced public school teacher who is passionate about improving the state’s educational system. She is an Emerge graduate and currently serves on the NM Commission on the Status of Women as well as serving as President of the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education. Begay was chosen by her cohort peers as the 2024 NM Teach Plus Fellow of the Year, and is a past member of the union AFSCME and current member of the National Education Association.
Begay’s motivation to run for House District 39 comes from her experience as an educator and her desire to empower, inspire, and educate the future generations. Her top priorities include advocating for better resources, modernizing classrooms, and supporting both students and teachers. Other focus areas include improving access to healthcare in rural NM by supporting the 20/80 contribution formula and incentivizing health practitioners located in underserved areas. She also cares deeply about working to create a criminal justice system that is rehabilitative, addressing climate change by supporting a one mile setback for new development of oil, and fighting to protect access to abortion.
We highly recommend Gabby Begay for House District 39 based on her work and volunteer experience with education and access to healthcare.
Gabby Begay is running against Gilbert Guadiana in the Democratic Primary for House District 39, which is currently held by Republican incumbent Luis Terrazas. Begay is an experienced public school teacher who is passionate about improving the state’s educational system. She is an Emerge graduate and currently serves on the NM Commission on the Status of Women as well as serving as President of the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education. Begay was chosen by her cohort peers as the 2024 NM Teach Plus Fellow of the Year, and is a past member of the union AFSCME and current member of the National Education Association.
Begay’s motivation to run for House District 39 comes from her experience as an educator and her desire to empower, inspire, and educate the future generations. Her top priorities include advocating for better resources, modernizing classrooms, and supporting both students and teachers. Other focus areas include improving access to healthcare in rural NM by supporting the 20/80 contribution formula and incentivizing health practitioners located in underserved areas. She also cares deeply about working to create a criminal justice system that is rehabilitative, addressing climate change by supporting a one mile setback for new development of oil, and fighting to protect access to abortion.
We highly recommend Gabby Begay for House District 39 based on her work and volunteer experience with education and access to healthcare.
Other Candidates
Gilbert Guadiana is running against Gabby Begay in the Democratic Primary for House District 39, which is currently held by Republican incumbent Luis Terrazas. He did not return a candidate questionnaire, so the information presented is gathered through public sources. We were not able to locate a campaign website.
Guadiana currently serves as Vice President for the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education. Guadiana holds a master of public administration degree from Harvard University and a bachelor of science degree in computer sciences from Western New Mexico University. Guadiana has also financially managed healthcare and long-term care facilities in southern New Mexico since April 2003.
Since 2021, The Silver City Daily Press has written a number of articles reporting on concerns with Guadiana’s behavior as a school board member including reports of overstepping his role and harassment, berating, and belittling of staff. Over the last year, six complaints from former school district employees were brought against Guadiana. One complaint was dismissed with prejudice and the other five are ongoing.
Guadiana was also fired from Fort Bayard Medical Center in August 2005 and among reasons provided by the State Personnel Board were that Guadiana displayed “insubordination and failure to follow direction, yelling, swearing, and belittling of the FBMC staff and alleged retaliation creating a hostile environment.” Additionally, in April of 2005 an investigation by the Department of Justice into the operations of FBMC found “residents suffered significant harm and risk of harm.” Guadiana appealed the decision to terminate his employment with the State Personnel Board, the Silver City District Court, and the New Mexico Court of Appeals. All three entities upheld the decision for termination.
Based on multiple reports of mismanagement and creating a hostile work environment as well as ongoing complaints regarding harassment, we do not recommend Gilbert Guadiana for House District 39.
Gilbert Guadiana is running against Gabby Begay in the Democratic Primary for House District 39, which is currently held by Republican incumbent Luis Terrazas. He did not return a candidate questionnaire, so the information presented is gathered through public sources. We were not able to locate a campaign website.
Guadiana currently serves as Vice President for the Cobre Consolidated School District Board of Education. Guadiana holds a master of public administration degree from Harvard University and a bachelor of science degree in computer sciences from Western New Mexico University. Guadiana has also financially managed healthcare and long-term care facilities in southern New Mexico since April 2003.
Since 2021, The Silver City Daily Press has written a number of articles reporting on concerns with Guadiana’s behavior as a school board member including reports of overstepping his role and harassment, berating, and belittling of staff. Over the last year, six complaints from former school district employees were brought against Guadiana. One complaint was dismissed with prejudice and the other five are ongoing.
Guadiana was also fired from Fort Bayard Medical Center in August 2005 and among reasons provided by the State Personnel Board were that Guadiana displayed “insubordination and failure to follow direction, yelling, swearing, and belittling of the FBMC staff and alleged retaliation creating a hostile environment.” Additionally, in April of 2005 an investigation by the Department of Justice into the operations of FBMC found “residents suffered significant harm and risk of harm.” Guadiana appealed the decision to terminate his employment with the State Personnel Board, the Silver City District Court, and the New Mexico Court of Appeals. All three entities upheld the decision for termination.
Based on multiple reports of mismanagement and creating a hostile work environment as well as ongoing complaints regarding harassment, we do not recommend Gilbert Guadiana for House District 39.