Senate District 3
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State Senator, District 3
Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.
Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico
,
Conservation Voters New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
AFSCME Council 18
Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.
Endorsed By: Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico
,
Conservation Voters New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
AFSCME Council 18
Other Candidates
Sherylene Yazzie is running against incumbent Shannon Pinto in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 3. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources. From what public records could be found, it appears she has worked or does work for the Navajo Nation. No other public campaign information can be found.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Sherylene Yazzie for Senate District 3.
Sherylene Yazzie is running against incumbent Shannon Pinto in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 3. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources. From what public records could be found, it appears she has worked or does work for the Navajo Nation. No other public campaign information can be found.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Sherylene Yazzie for Senate District 3.
State House of Representatives
Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State House races on your ballot.
Representative, District 4
House District 4 is an open seat this year as Representative Anthony Allison is not running for re-election. Joseph Herndandez, Christina Aspaas, and Cheryl George are running to represent this seat. We recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4.
Joseph Hernandez is a community organizer and serves as Diné Energy Organizer for NAVA Education Project (NAVAEP) and NM Native Vote, focused on clean energy, solar adoption, and the energy transition act. Previously, he served as field organizer for Anthony Allison’s campaign for the New Mexico House of Representatives, the Committee President of Gadii’ahi-To’koi Chapter Community Land Use Planning Committee, and has also worked in a support staff role for the Navajo Nation Office of Youth Development, Shiprock Agency.
Hernandez’ experience as a community organizer, full-time advocate, and voice for working families at the legislature since 2020 are what motivate him to run for House District 4. His priorities include jobs and economic opportunity tied to solar development, increased access to healthcare including mental health and substance abuse disorder care, and addressing the affordable housing shortage by bringing a modular home manufacturing facility to Shiprock. He also supports paid family medical leave, reproductive rights, and the removal of the state’s rent control ban as well as increased protections via a Renter’s Bill of Rights.
We highly recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4 based on his community organizing background, focus on sustainable economic growth, and experience representing the concerns of working families at the state legislature.
Joseph Hernandez is a community organizer and serves as Diné Energy Organizer for NAVA Education Project (NAVAEP) and NM Native Vote, focused on clean energy, solar adoption, and the energy transition act. Previously, he served as field organizer for Anthony Allison’s campaign for the New Mexico House of Representatives, the Committee President of Gadii’ahi-To’koi Chapter Community Land Use Planning Committee, and has also worked in a support staff role for the Navajo Nation Office of Youth Development, Shiprock Agency.
Hernandez’ experience as a community organizer, full-time advocate, and voice for working families at the legislature since 2020 are what motivate him to run for House District 4. His priorities include jobs and economic opportunity tied to solar development, increased access to healthcare including mental health and substance abuse disorder care, and addressing the affordable housing shortage by bringing a modular home manufacturing facility to Shiprock. He also supports paid family medical leave, reproductive rights, and the removal of the state’s rent control ban as well as increased protections via a Renter’s Bill of Rights.
We highly recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4 based on his community organizing background, focus on sustainable economic growth, and experience representing the concerns of working families at the state legislature.
Endorsed By: OLÉ
,
Dreams in Action
,
New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund
,
Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico
,
Working Families Party New Mexico
,
Equality New Mexico
,
Conservation Voters New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
"Anthony Allison, State Representative", " Amber Kanazbah Crotty, Navajo Nation Council Delegate", "Robert Lapahie Jr., Tse Dáá K'áán Chapter President", "Harry Descheene, Gadii’ahi/To’koi Chapter President"
Joseph Hernandez is a community organizer and serves as Diné Energy Organizer for NAVA Education Project (NAVAEP) and NM Native Vote, focused on clean energy, solar adoption, and the energy transition act. Previously, he served as field organizer for Anthony Allison’s campaign for the New Mexico House of Representatives, the Committee President of Gadii’ahi-To’koi Chapter Community Land Use Planning Committee, and has also worked in a support staff role for the Navajo Nation Office of Youth Development, Shiprock Agency.
Hernandez’ experience as a community organizer, full-time advocate, and voice for working families at the legislature since 2020 are what motivate him to run for House District 4. His priorities include jobs and economic opportunity tied to solar development, increased access to healthcare including mental health and substance abuse disorder care, and addressing the affordable housing shortage by bringing a modular home manufacturing facility to Shiprock. He also supports paid family medical leave, reproductive rights, and the removal of the state’s rent control ban as well as increased protections via a Renter’s Bill of Rights.
We highly recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4 based on his community organizing background, focus on sustainable economic growth, and experience representing the concerns of working families at the state legislature.
Endorsed By: OLÉ
,
Dreams in Action
,
New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund
,
Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico
,
Working Families Party New Mexico
,
Equality New Mexico
,
Conservation Voters New Mexico
,
Sierra Club
,
"Anthony Allison, State Representative", " Amber Kanazbah Crotty, Navajo Nation Council Delegate", "Robert Lapahie Jr., Tse Dáá K'áán Chapter President", "Harry Descheene, Gadii’ahi/To’koi Chapter President"
Other Candidates
Christina Aspaas is currently Board Vice President for the Central Consolidated School District Board of Education and also served previously as Board Secretary and Board President. Aspass previously ran against Anthony Allison in the 2022 primary election. Aspaas did not return our questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources. We were not able to locate a campaign website or social media profiles.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Christina Aspaas for House District 4.
Cheryl George served as Board Member for the Central Consolidated School District Board of Education from 2021-23 and worked within the district for 9 years before that. During her campaign for School Board, she shared with the Farmington Daily Times her background in health and school safety plans and that she is a certified crisis prevention and intervention instructor. George did not return our questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources. We were not able to locate a campaign website.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Cheryl George for House District 4.
Christina Aspaas is currently Board Vice President for the Central Consolidated School District Board of Education and also served previously as Board Secretary and Board President. Aspass previously ran against Anthony Allison in the 2022 primary election. Aspaas did not return our questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources. We were not able to locate a campaign website or social media profiles.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Christina Aspaas for House District 4.
Cheryl George served as Board Member for the Central Consolidated School District Board of Education from 2021-23 and worked within the district for 9 years before that. During her campaign for School Board, she shared with the Farmington Daily Times her background in health and school safety plans and that she is a certified crisis prevention and intervention instructor. George did not return our questionnaire so all information provided is from public sources. We were not able to locate a campaign website.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Cheryl George for House District 4.
Representative, District 9
Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.
Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.
Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.
Other Candidates
Patricia Lundstrom
Patricia Lundstrom is running for re-election for House District 9. She has served in the legislature since 2001, and is currently a member of the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee and House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee.
Lundstrom is the Executive Director of the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC), and previously was the Executive Director of Northwest NM Council of Governments. She is a graduate of Grants High School and New Mexico State University, where she gained an undergraduate degree and a masters’ degrees in public administration.
Lundstrom’s priorities and focus areas include workforce development, infrastructure, and finance. While she has sponsored and supported some initiatives that align with the needs of New Mexicans, she has voted against many critical bills.
In 2024 she voted against legislation to prohibit firearms at state voting drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), setting clean energy standards at the state level (SB41), and paid family medical leave (SB3). In 2023 she voted against enacting protections for abortion and gender-affirming healthcare (SB13 & HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9). In previous sessions, Lundstrom also voted against prohibiting the intimidation of election workers (SB144), paid sick leave (HB20), and repealing the abortion ban in 2021 (SB10). Additionally, in 2015, she voted with Republicans to pass a 20 week abortion ban.
With respect to campaign funding, Lundstrom was reportedly one of the top recipients of oil and gas contributions in 2022, receiving approximately $22,000 in donations. She also actively worked to elect conservative democrats to the house during the 2022 primary elections, aligning her campaign contributions with well known oil and gas name Henry Yates.
There are also some ethics concerns regarding the relationship between her legislative and professional activities as Executive Director of GGEDC. In January 2021, GGEDC received a $1.25 million donation from Tri-State (a wholesale power supplier), following Lundstrom’s sponsoring a bill in 2020 that allowed for the redevelopment of the Escalante plant.
Given Patricia Lundstrom’s voting record on critical issues, her work to elect conservatives to office, and potential ethics concerns, we do not recommend her for House District 9.
Arval Todd McCabe
Arval Todd McCabe 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 Arval Todd McCabe for House District 9.
Patricia Lundstrom
Patricia Lundstrom is running for re-election for House District 9. She has served in the legislature since 2001, and is currently a member of the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee and House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee.
Lundstrom is the Executive Director of the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC), and previously was the Executive Director of Northwest NM Council of Governments. She is a graduate of Grants High School and New Mexico State University, where she gained an undergraduate degree and a masters’ degrees in public administration.
Lundstrom’s priorities and focus areas include workforce development, infrastructure, and finance. While she has sponsored and supported some initiatives that align with the needs of New Mexicans, she has voted against many critical bills.
In 2024 she voted against legislation to prohibit firearms at state voting drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), setting clean energy standards at the state level (SB41), and paid family medical leave (SB3). In 2023 she voted against enacting protections for abortion and gender-affirming healthcare (SB13 & HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9). In previous sessions, Lundstrom also voted against prohibiting the intimidation of election workers (SB144), paid sick leave (HB20), and repealing the abortion ban in 2021 (SB10). Additionally, in 2015, she voted with Republicans to pass a 20 week abortion ban.
With respect to campaign funding, Lundstrom was reportedly one of the top recipients of oil and gas contributions in 2022, receiving approximately $22,000 in donations. She also actively worked to elect conservative democrats to the house during the 2022 primary elections, aligning her campaign contributions with well known oil and gas name Henry Yates.
There are also some ethics concerns regarding the relationship between her legislative and professional activities as Executive Director of GGEDC. In January 2021, GGEDC received a $1.25 million donation from Tri-State (a wholesale power supplier), following Lundstrom’s sponsoring a bill in 2020 that allowed for the redevelopment of the Escalante plant.
Given Patricia Lundstrom’s voting record on critical issues, her work to elect conservatives to office, and potential ethics concerns, we do not recommend her for House District 9.
Arval Todd McCabe
Arval Todd McCabe 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 Arval Todd McCabe for House District 9.
House District 4 is an open seat this year as Representative Anthony Allison is not running for re-election. Joseph Herndandez, Christina Aspaas, and Cheryl George are running to represent this seat. We recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4.