FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 6, 2024
New Mexico Sends Pro-Climate, Pro-Democracy Leaders to State Legislature
State Bucks National Trends, Sends Climate Champs Back to D.C.
SANTA FE – Despite fierce opposition by industry and outside special interest groups, pro-climate, pro-democracy candidates swept key races across the Land of Enchantment in the 2024 general election. In doing so, voters sent the message that state leaders need to address the climate crisis and protect the wellbeing of communities, bucking national trends.
Conservation Voters New Mexico (CVNM) congratulates numerous New Mexico candidates on their successful election, or reelection, to state and federal offices. CVNM is thrilled to welcome a new generation of policymakers to the Roundhouse and to celebrate the return of many proven environmental champions to their posts.
CVNM Action Fund, CVNM’s coordinated political action committee, gave financial and in-kind support to candidates who are committed to tackling climate change, advancing conservation, and upholding democracy. In total, CVNM Action Fund endorsed 59 candidates running for the state legislature. Twenty-eight out of 33 candidates endorsed by CVNM Action Fund won contested races, representing a success rate of 85%.
Among contested races, victories included several pro-conservation incumbents, including Sen. Carrie Hamblen (SD 38) and Rep. Nathan Small (HD 36), who had highly competitive races. A suite of bold political newcomers also proved victorious in races across the state, including Cindy Nava (SD 9), Heather Berghmans (SD 15), Joseph Hernandez (HD 4), Dr. Elizabeth Torres-Velasquez (HD 30), and Sarah Silva (HD 53). They join a slate of new pro-climate legislators that celebrated strong primary wins and remained uncontested in the general election, including Angel Charley (SD 30) and Anita Gonzales (HD 70).
“The 2024 general election outcome sends a clear message: New Mexicans want bold action on climate change and the protection of our democracy ,” said Greg Peters, CVNM Vice President of Programs. “As the nation’s second largest oil and gas producing state, what we do in New Mexico to address the climate crisis matters. We also know that states will not be able to count on federal support or progress on climate under a Trump Presidency. Now is the time for state leaders to seize the moment and lead the next wave of policy action to address the most urgent issues of our time. We are thrilled to see this many champions for conservation, climate action and democracy join – or return to – our state legislature. These are the leaders New Mexicans need that will center the voices and needs of their communities, and fight for policies that will protect the Land of Enchantment for future generations. We look forward to working with them in the upcoming legislative cycle.”
CVNM Verde Voters Fund, CVNM’s independent expenditure arm, invested significant financial resources into critical races across the state. In total, Verde Voters Fund spent $196,341.50 on 13 key races to support pro-conservation and pro-climate candidates, including 10 races for the New Mexico House and 3 races for the New Mexico Senate. Verde Voters Fund helped 6 climate champions keep their seats, and supported 3 bold political newcomers who won open races. CVNM Action Fund, CVNM’s coordinated political action committee, gave a total of $73k in direct and in-kind contributions to endorsed candidates across both the primary and general election.
Members of New Mexico’s federal delegation successfully defended their seats in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives, including Sen. Martin Heinrich, Rep. Teresa Leger Ferdandez (NM-3), Rep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-1), and Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-2). CVNM’s national affiliate, the League of Conservation Voters, also prioritized Rep. Vasquez’s race as a top priority through their independent expenditure PAC LCV Victory Fund.
“It was a huge night in New Mexico for conservation and the future of climate action,” said John Martinez, CVNM’s Campaigns & Civic Engagement Director. “By re-electing New Mexico’s proven pro-conservation leaders to Congress, including Congressman Gabe Vasquez (NM-2), New Mexico voters are clear: they want action that protects our air, land, water, and centers the values of our communities. We also congratulate Senator Martin Heinrich, Representative Melanie Stansbury, and Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez on their successful and hard-fought re-election, and look forward to working with them to protect and pursue action on climate across the country.”
Endorsed Candidate Outcomes:
Contested races
CVNM Action Fund has endorsed 33 candidates listed below who have contested races in the 2024 general election. Percentage numbers following legislator names indicate their CVNM Conservation Scorecard lifetime legislative voting record on conservation issues.
Senate
- SD 9 – Cindy Nava – WIN
- SD 10 – Sen. Katy Duhigg (93%) – WIN
- SD 12 – Phillip Ramirez – Loss
- SD 15 – Heather Berghmans – WIN
- SD 18 – Rep. Natalie Figueroa (100%) – WIN
- SD 20 – Sen. Martin Hickey (97%) – WIN
- SD 21 – Athena Christodoulou – Loss
- SD 23 – Sen. Harold Pope (98%) – WIN
- SD 36 – Sen. Jeff Steinborn (98%) – WIN
- SD 38 – Sen. Carrie Hamblen (100%) – WIN
House of Representatives:
- HD 4 – Joseph Hernandez – WIN
- HD 6 – Rep. Eliseo Alcon (85%) – WIN
- HD 11 – Speaker Javier Martínez (98%) – WIN
- HD 14 – Rep. Miguel Garcia (96%) – WIN
- HD 16 – Rep. Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela (100%) – WIN
- HD 19 – Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (100%) – WIN
- HD 20 – Rep. Meredith Dixon (86%) – WIN
- HD 24 – Rep. Liz Thomson (99%) – WIN
- HD 25 – Rep. Cristina Parajón (100%) – WIN
- HD 26 – Rep. Eleanor Chávez (100%) – WIN
- HD 27 – Rep. Marian Matthews (92%) – WIN
- HD 28 – Rep. Pamelya Herndon (96%) – WIN
- HD 29 – Rep. Joy Garratt (98%) – WIN
- HD 30 – Elizabeth Torres-Velasquez – WIN
- HD 31 – Vicky Estrada-Bustillo – Loss
- HD 36 – Rep. Nathan Small (97%) – WIN
- HD 37 – Rep. Joanne Ferrary (100%) – WIN
- HD 39 – Gabrielle Begay – Loss
- HD 44 – Rep. Kathleen Cates (100%) – WIN
- HD 50 – Rep. Matthew McQueen (97%) – WIN
- HD 53 – Sarah Silva – WIN
- HD 57 – Michelle Sandoval – Loss
- HD 68 – Rep. Charlotte Little (100%) – WIN
Uncontested Races
CVNM Action Fund has endorsed 26 candidates listed below who have uncontested races in the 2024 general election. Percentage numbers following legislator names indicate their CVNM Conservation Scorecard lifetime legislative voting record on conservation issues.
Senate:
- SD 3 – Sen. Shannon Pinto (100%)
- SD 5 – Sen. Leo Jaramillo (94%)
- SD 8 – Sen. Pete Campos (80%)
- SD 11 – Sen. Linda Lopez (87%)
- SD 16 – Sen. Antionette Sedillo Lopez (99%)
- SD 17 – Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (98%)
- SD 25 – Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth (99%)
- SD 30 – Angel Charley
- SD 37 – Sen. Bill Soules (94%)
- SD 39 – Sen. Liz Stefanics (97%)
House of Representatives:
- HD 5 – Rep. Doreen Wonda Johnson (93%)
- HD 10 – Rep. G. Andres Romero (98%)
- HD 12 – Rep. Art De La Cruz (100%)
- HD 13 – Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (97%)
- HD 15 – Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil (94%)
- HD 21 – Rep. Debra Sariñana (99%)
- HD 33 – Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (93%)
- HD 35 – Rep. Angelica Rubio (100%)
- HD 41 – Rep. Susan Herrera (96%)
- HD 42 – Rep. Kristina Ortez (98%)
- HD 43 – Rep. Christine Chandler (97%)
- HD 45 – Rep. Linda Serrato (100%)
- HD 46 – Rep. Andrea Romero (100%)
- HD 47 – Rep. Reena Szczepanski (100%)
- HD 48 – Rep. Tara Lujan (100%)
- HD 70 – Anita Gonzales
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CVNM is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization connecting the people of New Mexico to their political power to protect our air, land, and water for a healthy Land of Enchantment. CVNM does this by mobilizing voters, winning elections, holding elected officials accountable, and advancing responsible public policies.
Conservation Voters New Mexico Action Fund, the connected state political action committee of
Conservation Voters New Mexico, is a nonpartisan “coordinated” political action committee. CVNM Action Fund works to elect pro-conservation candidates and to defeat anti-conservation
candidates at the state level. CVNM Action Fund does not endorse in uncontested races.
CVNM Verde Voters Fund is an independent expenditure political action committee
administered by CVNM that works to elect pro-conservation candidates by directly contacting
voters through the mail, phone, at the door and in the media.
