By Jessica Johnson, Chief Legislative Officer
Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016
From the outset of this election year, we knew that if we wanted to see important animal protections—particularly for wildlife—put in place in the near future, something big had to change in the New Mexico State Legislature on Election Day.
Now that we know the outcome of the race for our nation’s highest office, an ominous challenge lies before us when it comes to federal wildlife protection. We face a president-elect who has vowed to undermine the Endangered Species Act and whose environmental priorities threaten the clean water, air, and public lands that our wild animals need to survive and flourish. So Animal Protection Voters is strengthening our resolve to fight against future efforts on the federal level to roll back the progress we’ve all made for animals on the national level.
But it’s clear, now more than ever, that we need a strong pro-animal and pro-conservation state legislature to stave off, as much as possible, the damage that appears to be imminent from the Trump administration.
And there, my friends, is where we can find a glimmer of hope for animals.
Because here in New Mexico, voters who care about animals achieved what we set out to do: To elect a pro-animal majority in the Roundhouse.
With your votes and support, we were able to break down the barriers that were created after the 2014 elections, when new state House Republican leadership ensured that bills to stop horrific coyote killing contests statewide and to ban cruel traps and poisons on New Mexico’s public lands would die an abrupt death in the House Agriculture, Water & Wildlife Committee—a newly minted legislative panel specifically designed to be a graveyard for wildlife protection bills.
But after Tuesday (not including two races that hang in the balance pending automatic recounts) Democrats have regained control of the State House, with 37 Democratic seats and 31 Republican seats. If the two outstanding election results go to the Democratic side, it will be 39 Democrats to 31 Republicans. With these changes, we are hopeful that there will now be a visible path forward for our wildlife protection bills.
Of course, animal protection issues remain as one of the few bipartisan issues in our great state, and although party leadership has already demonstrated it can and has dramatically impacted animal-related policymaking, neither political party can claim its members hold a monopoly on humane policies. So, we are incredibly grateful for every single Republican and Democratic candidate who earned an endorsement by APV and Animal Protection Voters-PAC, and congratulate those who celebrated victory last night.
Most of all, I give my utmost thanks to each and every one of you who donated your time, energy and financial support to Animal Protection Voters-PAC and our endorsed candidates. Some of the outcomes we get to celebrate today are due to small margins of victory in legislative races, from a few hundred votes to a mere two votes (yes, that’s right, only two votes!). It is your investment and dedication that will pay off in a big way for animals as we move forward.
More in-depth analysis is forthcoming, but in the meantime, here are the results in the contested state legislative races where Animal Protection Voters (APV), via APV-PAC, issued endorsements:
TOPLINE TAKEAWAYS:
- Out of 28 APV-endorsed candidates in contested races, 21 won their election and 3 are to be determined pending a recount.
- Democrats now hold the majority in the State House of Representatives with at least 37 out of 70 House seats.
- Democrats retained the majority in the State Senate with at least 25 out of 42 Senate seats.
House of Representatives
- District 10 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: G. Andrés Romero (D)
- District 15 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sarah Maestas Barnes (R)
- District 20 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Jim Dines (R)
- District 22 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: James Smith (R)
- District 23 – TO BE DETERMINED – Winner (Pending Recount): Daymon Ely (D) / APV-Endorsed Candidate: Rep. Paul Pacheco (R)
- District 24 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Liz Thomson (D)
- District 29 – TO BE DETERMINED – APV-Endorsed Winner (Pending Recount): Rep. David Adkins (R) / Challenger: Ronnie Martinez (D)
- District 33 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Rep. Bill McCamley (D)
- District 35 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Angelica Rubio (D)
- District 36 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Nathan Small (D)
- District 38 – LOSS – Winner: Rebecca Dow (R) / APV-Endorsed Candidate: Mary Hotvedt (D)
- District 39 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Rudy Martinez (D)
- District 43 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (D)
- District 47 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Rep. Brian Egolf (D)
- District 50 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Rep. Matthew McQueen (D)
- District 57 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Rep. Jason Harper (R)
Senate
- District 9 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner (Pending Recount): Sen. John Sapien (D)
- District 10 – LOSS – Winner: Candace Gould (R) / APV-Endorsed Candidate: Dave Simon (D)
- District 13 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sen. Bill O’Neill (D)
- District 15 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D)
- District 18 – LOSS – Winner: Bill Tallman (D) / APV-Endorsed Candidate: Sen. Lisa Torraco (R)
- District 21 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sen. Mark Moores (R)
- District 23 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sen. Sander Rue (R)
- District 29 – LOSS – Winner: Gregory Baca (R) / APV-Endorsed Candidate: Sen. Michael Sanchez (D)
- District 36 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Jeff Steinborn (D)
- District 37 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sen. Bill Soules (D)
- District 38 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D)
- District 39 – WIN – APV-Endorsed Winner: Liz Stefanics (D)
What’s next? So much more! Animal Protection Voters is gearing up for the 2017 state legislative session where we will tenaciously advocate for bills to protect wildlife, support companion animals, and fight against efforts that will harm animals.
And in the meantime, we need your support! Here’s just a few helpful actions you can take:
- Make a gift to Animal Protection Voters so we have the resources to do everything possible for New Mexico’s animals, on the state and federal level. >>
- Review some of our latest and current legislative work and important voting records in our 2015 Scorecard. >>
- Make sure you’re signed up for APV Emails so we can share urgent action alerts and breaking news—and include your mailing address so you receive the forthcoming 2016 Scorecard! >>
- Look up your two state legislators on the nmlegis.gov website, and contact them now to meet them before the 2017 session, and talk with them about why animal protection issues matter to you as a voter and constituent. Contact us if you need information on our priority issues. >>
Thank you for being a voice for animals in New Mexico!
