On May 20th the Albuquerque Journal editorial board broke a long held tradition of not endorsing political candidates from outside the Albuquerque area. NMBC applauds the move, as the Journal is standing up to support some of the longstanding and moderate Democratic Senators that continue to do good work for New Mexico and their districts.
Senate District 4
Senator George Muños: NMBC performance rating – B
Senator Muños will be facing off against Democratic candidate Noreen Kelly in the primary. The primary winner will take on Republican Angela Olive in the general election to represent the district that includes much of McKinley County and portions of San Juan and Cibola counties.
Senate District 28
Senator Gabriel Ramos: NMBC performance rating – B
Senator Ramos will be competing with Democratic candidate Siah Correa-Hemphill in the primary. The winner of the primary will be going up against Republican candidate James Williams of Catron county in the general election to represent the district that stretches from Socorro to Silver City.
Senate District 30
Senator Clemente Sanchez: NMBC performance rating – B
Senator Sanchez will be running against Democratic candidate Pamela Cordova for the primary nomination. On the Republican side of the primary election are candidates Joshua Sanchez and Kelly Zunie. The winner of each primary will square off in the general election to represent the district that includes Grants and parts of Valencia and three other counties.
Senate District 35
Senator John Arthur Smith: NMBC performance rating – B
Senator Smith will be challenged in the primary by Democratic candidate Neomi Martinez-Parra. The winner of that primary race will be running against Republican candidate Crystal Diamond of Elephant Butte in the general election to represent the district that includes all or parts of Hidalgo, Sierra, Luna and Doña Ana counties.
Senate District 38
Senator Mary Kay Papen: NMBC performance rating – C
Senator Papen will be running against two Democratic candidates in the primary, Tracy Perry and Carrie Hamblen. The winner of that primary will move on to run against Republican candidate Charles Wendler of Las Cruces to represent the district that includes parts of Las Cruces and a large swath of Doña Ana County.
