A new generation of women candidates sweep key races
SANTA FE – Yesterday, New Mexico held the 2024 primary elections for federal, state and local offices. Leading up to the primaries, CVNM, through its coordinated political action committee CVNM Action Fund, supported candidates with commitments to taking bold action on climate, advancing conservation policies, and upholding democracy. In total, CVNM Action Fund endorsed 15 candidates running for contested seats in the New Mexico House and Senate. CVNM Action Fund also issued “Conservation Qualified” designations in 4 races where two competing candidates were both worthy of endorsement but one did not have a stronger platform than the other.
Victories included several pro-climate incumbents, including Rep. Eliseo Alcon (HD 6), Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (HD 13), Rep. Angelica Rubio (HD 35), Rep. Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela (HD 16), Rep. Susan Herrera (HD 41), Senator Shannon Pinto (SD 3), Senator Pete Campos (SD 8), and Senator Linda Lopez (SD 11). A third of competitive races endorsed by CVNM Action Fund were won by a suite of newcomer women leaders who carry bold visions for policy change. Among those include Angel Charley (SD 30), Heather Berghmans (SD 15), and Gabrielle Begay (HD 39). Although new to political candidacy, these candidates are committed to centering the voices of marginalized New Mexicans in the legislature. Environmentalist Anita Gonzales (HD 70) also won her primary race, defeating incumbent Rep. Ambrose Castellano. She now steps into the legislature as she remains unopposed in the general election. Sen. Shannon Pinto (SD 3) and Rep. Angelica Rubio (HD 35) also won their re-election, and are unopposed in the general election.
“Last night, voters sent a clear message: New Mexico is ready for bold policy action.” said Demis Foster, CVNM CEO and President. “A new generation of visionary women won their primary elections on platforms centering conservation, climate, and equality. We are proud to stand with such an incredible slate of candidates as we move into the general election. Their leadership will surely be a catalyst for new climate action if elected to the legislature.”
CVNM Verde Voters Fund, CVNM’s independent expenditure arm, invested significant sums of money into several key races. In total, Verde Voters Fund spent $162,559 on nine key races to support pro-conservation and pro-climate candidates, including Heather Berghmans (SD 15), Angel Charley (SD 30), and Anita Gonzales (HD 70). CVNM Action Fund, CVNM’s coordinated political action committee, gave a total of $28,548 in in-kind and direct contributions to endorsed
candidates. In contrast, the oil and gas industry and other anti-conservation interests invested over $700,000 on state legislative races.
“This election cycle, polluters invested substantial resources in key races to elect anti-conservation candidates,” said Greg Peters, CVNM Vice President of Programs. “Despite an influx of industry dollars, voters showed up for candidates who will fight for our air, land, water and way of life as New Mexicans. With these pro-environment, pro-democracy legislators in the Roundhouse, we can continue the work of building a more sustainable, just and resilient Land of Enchantment for all.”
Endorsed Candidate Outcomes:
State Senate
- SD 3: Sen. Shannon Pinto – WIN
- SD 8: Sen. Pete Campos – WIN
- SD 11: Sen. Linda Lopez – WIN
- SD 13: Sen. Bill O’Neill – Loss
- SD 15: Heather Berghmans – WIN
- SD 21: Athena Christodoulou – WIN
- SD 30: Angel Charley – WIN
New Mexico House of Representatives
- HD 4: Joseph Hernandez – WIN
- HD 6: Rep. Eliseo Lee Alcon WIN
- HD 13: Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero WIN
- HD 16: Rep. Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela WIN
- HD 35: Rep. Angelica Rubio WIN
- HD 39: Gabrielle Begay WIN
- HD 41: Rep. Susan Herrera WIN
- HD 70: Anita Gonzales WIN
In addition, CVNM celebrates the outcomes of four Conservation Qualified* races: Cindy Nava (SD 9), Linda Trujillo (SD 24), Marianna Anaya (HD 18), and Rep. Marian Matthews (HD 27).
CVNM Action Fund also extends a wholehearted congratulations to candidates Rep. Art De La Cruz (HD 12) and Elizabeth Diane Torres-Velásquez (HD 30) for winning their respective races. These candidates were originally endorsed by CVNM Action Fund with contested races, but then ran the duration of their primary unopposed.
* “Conservation Qualified” indicates that each candidate is strong enough to warrant an endorsement, but neither stands out clearly enough from the other to suggest that conservation and environmental issues are best served by making an endorsement.
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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.