OLÉ Endorsements

Abby Foster is challenging incumbent Marian Matthews in the Democratic Primary for House District 27. Foster is a mother to two children attending public school and describes herself as a progressive Democrat committed to building a state where families can thrive, and states that her approach to leadership is grounded in empathy and informed by years of helping people navigate difficult systems. She has deep roots in the community, having knocked doors across the NE Heights for candidates and causes she believes in, which she attributes to inspiring her decision to run for office.

Foster has a long career working in advocacy and public service as an attorney who has spent her career representing vulnerable populations, including children and disabled adults in guardianship proceedings. She has worked as an attorney for the City of Albuquerque and served as an analyst at the New Mexico State Capitol. Her legal career has focused on helping people navigate complex systems, and her work experiences demonstrates a commitment to standing up for families and helping solve problems at both the individual and policy levels.

Foster's policy priorities center on three interconnected issues: healthcare access, affordable housing, and child wellbeing. She identifies the healthcare provider shortage as a critical problem facing District 27, noting that even in Albuquerque, residents wait too long for appointments with primary care doctors and specialists. On housing, her policy solutions focus on addressing the affordability crisis pricing working families out of the district and seniors out of their homes, including protecting mobile home park tenants from predatory rent increases on land that they reside on. Foster has also stated she would prioritize sponsoring healthcare legislation, including requiring managed care plans to fully cover health services for New Mexico Medicaid patients without limitations. She also supports paying state lawmakers to ensure the legislature is representative of New Mexico and treats legislative work as the serious job it is.

Foster has identified House Judiciary as her preferred committee assignment, citing her legal background and belief that the legislature needs more members who will carefully examine how bills are actually written.

Given Abby Foster's stated policy priorities, and the incumbent's vote record, we recommend Foster for House District 27.

Anita Gonzales is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for House District 70. Currently, she serves on the House Education and Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs Committees.

Gonzales works as Deputy Director for New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (NM MESA). Previously, she worked for NM Mesa as a Program Coordinator as well as the City of Las Vegas. Her volunteer experience includes serving as President for the San Miguel County Federation of Democratic Women, Vice Chair of the Sierra Club’s Rio Grande Chapter Executive Committee, President of Acequia de los Madres Vigiles, President of the Las Vegas Rotary Club, and on the boards of the NM Acequia Association and San Miguel County Family & Community Health Council. Gonzales was named a Public Service Honoree by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce and received the National Leadership in Expanding Diversity in Technology Award from the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE).

Gonzales is motivated to run for reelection to House District 70 because of her experience advocating for women and children, her passion for water and the role of acequias in Northern NM, and her desire to improve access to education and healthcare as well as strengthening representation in science, tech, engineering and math fields.

Her priorities include education, access to healthcare, investing in rural and small town infrastructure, and protecting public lands and natural resources. During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, she supported key progressive bills, including Universal Child Care (SB 241), The Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9), Establishing a Medicaid Trust Fund (SB 88), Increasing Oil & Gas Royalty Rates on State Lands (SB 23), Increasing Minimum Salaries for Teachers (HB 156), and Establishing a Trust Fund for Behavioral Health Initiatives (SB 1).

We highly recommend Anita Gonzales for House District 70 based on her professional experience across education, conservation, and the environment, and her strong track record as a legislator.

Dr. Elizabeth Diane Torres-Velásquez is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for House District 30.

She has served in the seat since 2025 and is currently a member of the House Education, House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs, and House Enrolling & Engrossing (A) Committees.

Dr. Torres-Velásquez is a respected educator with a Ph.D. in education and a long-time member of the Democratic Party. Her professional journey includes working as an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico for 30 years, where she has been involved in university governance, serving on the Academic Freedom and Tenure committee and Faculty Senate.

Renowned for her expertise in the areas of bilingual and multicultural education, learning disabilities, and Latino/Hispanic education access, Dr. Torres-Velásquez has earned numerous accolades for her work, including her leadership with the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Latino Education Task Force, significantly impacting educational policy and civil rights in New Mexico. She also served as Hispanic Education Liaison for the state in 2010 and authored the inaugural report on the Status of Hispanic Education, fulfilling requirements mandated by the Hispanic Education Act.

Dr. Torres-Velásquez is motivated to run for House District 30 by her vision for expanding access to health care, investing in education, and making life more affordable for all New Mexicans.

During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, she supported key legislation, including Universal Child Care (SB 241), The Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9, which she also co-sponsored), Establishing a Medicaid Trust Fund (SB 88), Expanding the Prescription Drug Donation Program (SB 122), Increasing Oil & Gas Royalty Rates on State Lands (SB 23), Establishing The Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act (SB 21), Establishing Programs to Support Broadband, Water, Energy, and Wastewater Infrastructure (SB 357), Establishing Earned Income Tax Credits for Families (HB 14), and Establishing a $20M Local Solar Fund for Tribal, Rural and Low-Income Schools, Municipalities and Counties (HB 128).

We highly recommend Dr. Elizabeth Diane Torres-Velásquez based on her dedication to education, consistent work to ensure equitable access, and record of voting for legislation that reinforces New Mexico’s hardworking families.

Joseph Franklin Hernandez is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for House District 4. Hernandez has served in the seat since 2025 and is on the House Appropriations & Finance, Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements, and House Enrolling & Engrossing - B Committees.

Hernandez has worked as a community organizer and Diné Energy Organizer for NAVA Education Project 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, as 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.

He has been a vocal advocate for radiation exposure compensation for uranium miners and Trinity Site downwinders, drawing from his family's personal experience with mining-related illness. His stated priorities include healthcare access, tribal sovereignty, balanced energy transitions, and rural economic development.

During the 2025-26 legislative sessions, Hernandez co-sponsored and passed The Healthcare Affordability Fund (HB 4), Local Solar Access Fund (HB 128), Enhance Student Loan Repayment Program for Health Care Workers (HB66), and voted for The Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9).

We highly recommend Joseph Hernandez for House District 4 based on his focus on sustainable economic growth, voting record, and experience representing the concerns of working families at the state legislature.

Michelle “Paulene” Abeyta is running for re-election in the Democratic Primary for House District 69. Currently, she serves on the Energy, Environment & Natural Resources and Judiciary Committees.

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 is motivated to run for House District 69 because of her vision for New Mexico where all residents have access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and cultural heritage and values are respected and incorporated.

During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, Abeyta supported key progressive bills, including Universal Child Care (SB 241), The Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9), Establishing a Medicaid Trust Fund (SB 88), Increasing Oil & Gas Royalty Rates on State Lands (SB 23), Additional Monitoring and Support for HS Students (SB 480), Establishing Programs to Support Broadband, Water, Energy, and Wastewater Infrastructure (SB 357), Establishing Earned Income Tax Credits for Families (HB 14), Increasing Minimum Salaries for Teachers (HB 156), Establishing a Health Care Strategic Recruitment Program to Improve the State Healthcare Worker Shortage (HB 15), and Establishing a $20M Local Solar Fund for Tribal, Rural and Low-Income Schools, Municipalities and Counties (HB 128).

We highly recommend Michelle ‘Paulene’ Abeyta for House District 69 based on her focus on increasing access to education and healthcare, sustainable economic development, and her track record of voting for NM’s working families.

Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela is running for re-election for House District 16. She has served in the seat since 2023, and is Vice Chair of the House Enrolling and Engrossing Committee and member of the House Education Committee and House Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs Committee.

She currently works as a Project Coordinator for Dual Language Education NM, with past experience that includes teaching as a Bilingual Math teacher, Computer and Spanish teacher, and ESL tutor. Volunteer experience includes serving as a Federation Representative for Albuquerque Teachers Federation, ESL tutor for adults and children, and a Youth Minister.

Gurrola Valenzuela’s passion to run derives from her rich and diverse background as an immigrant, educator, woman, and engineer, and her desire to create a foundation of equity, fairness, and sustainability for all New Mexicans. Her priorities include strengthening education by fully funding early childhood, K-12, and extracurricular programs, and ensuring the recruitment and retention of excellent teachers. Gurrola Valenzuela supports public safety measures through equipping law enforcement with essential tools to prevent gun violence and crime. Additionally, she is committed to reducing homelessness through investments in evidence-based mental health and substance abuse programs, and by increasing affordable housing options. She also supports the expansion of New Mexico’s renewable energy, technology, film, and healthcare sectors to create good-paying, lifelong career opportunities.

During the 2025 and 2026 legislative sessions, Gurrola Valenzuela supported key progressive bills, including Universal Child Care (SB 241), The Immigrant Safety Act (HB 9, which she also co-sponsored), Establishing a Medicaid Trust Fund (SB 88), Expanding the Prescription Drug Donation Program (SB 122), and Prohibits Discrimination Against 340B Entities (HB 78). She also voted for economic justice legislation including Earned Income Tax Credits for Families (HB 14), environmental protections including The Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act (SB 21), Increasing Oil & Gas Royalty Rates on State Lands (SB 23), and Establishing Programs to Support Broadband, Water, Energy, and Wastewater Infrastructure (SB 357), and Establishing a $20M Local Solar Fund for Tribal, Rural and Low-Income Schools, Municipalities and Counties (HB 128).

We highly recommend Yanira Gurrola for House District 16 based on her consistent support for education, investing in social services and healthcare access, and focus on reinforcing young people and meaningful economic development.

Yolanda “Pancha” Jaramillo is running in the Democratic Primary to fill the open seat being vacated by Representative Susan Herrera.

Jaramillo is a Dixon resident, retired educator, and longtime advocate for mental and behavioral health who has served as secretary/treasurer of La Acequia de La Plaza de Dixon since 2009.
She sits on the board of directors of the New Mexico Acequia Association and is an appointed member of the New Mexico Acequia Commission, where she advocates for the protection of land and water resources that are central to Northern New Mexico's cultural heritage.

Jaramillo is a first-time candidate who is motivated to run by the need to expand opportunity for children and families, especially in rural communities and small towns across Northern New Mexico where the need is often greatest.

Her priorities include advancing affordable housing, good-paying jobs, and lowering everyday cost, including by increasing state investment in rural workforce housing so working families can build savings and assets to become homeowners. She also seeks to increase access to education, healthcare, and mental/behavioral health by supporting teacher recruitment and housing and strengthening pipelines for students to go to college or trade school, and protecting Medicaid, lowering costs, expanding providers, and strengthening mental health and suicide prevention services.

Additionally, she aims to continue work to protect acequias, watersheds, and drinking water while investing in rural water infrastructure, including Rep. Susan Herrera’s work supporting Mutual Domestic Water Associations as well as supporting the Rio Chama aquifer-mapping project to protect long-term water resources.

We highly recommend Yolanda “Pancha” Jaramillo for House District 41 based on her deep community roots, experience as an educator and advocate, and plans to protect and expand healthcare, education, and water resources in Northern NM.