April 28, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Animal Protection Voters-Political Action Committee Issues 2020 Primary and Early General Election Endorsements for the New Mexico Legislature

Voters are urged to support the candidates who will do the best job of standing up for the protection of animals in their districts.

Santa Fe, N.M. – Animal Protection Voters (APV), New Mexico’s leading political and legislative advocacy organization for animal protection—via its political action committee APV-PAC—announced its endorsement of 24 candidates facing contested races in the primary election on June 2, and early endorsement of 41 incumbents seeking re-election and facing opponents in the general election on November 3.

Incumbents won endorsements for consistently demonstrating strong animal advocacy positions and leadership through votes and other actions, including bill sponsorship, over the course of their tenure in the State Legislature. New challengers and candidates for open seats received endorsements based on their past personal and professional activity involving animal issues, as well as their responses to a questionnaire on topics including wildlife protection, equine welfare, and domestic violence involving animal family members. Candidates running completely unopposed were not included in this endorsement process.

Where possible, APV-PAC endorsement decisions emphasized Animal Protection Voters’ priority bill expected to be reintroduced in the 2021 legislative session: a restriction on traps, snares, and poisons on public lands. A growing majority of New Mexico voters oppose traps, poisons, and snares as cruel and ineffective wildlife management and a danger to public safety.

“Most New Mexicans support stronger animal protection laws, and we are delighted to endorse a diverse, bipartisan slate of candidates who will represent the animal protection values of their constituents,” said Jessica Johnson, Chief Legislative Officer for APV.

The endorsed candidates are as follows:

* = faces a primary election opponent

State Senate Districts:

• 3 – Sen. Shannon Pinto (D)*
• 4 – Sen. George Muñoz (D)*
• 5 – Sen. Richard Martinez (D)*
• 8 – Sen. Pete Campos (D)*
• 9 – Brenda McKenna (D)*
• 10 – Sen. Candace Gould (R)
• 11 – Sen. Linda Lopez (D)
• 12 – Sen. Gerald Ortiz y Pino (D)
• 13 – Sen. Bill O’Neill (D)
• 14 – Sen. Michael Padilla (D)
• 15 – Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D)
• 16 – Sen. Antoinette Sedillo Lopez (D)
• 17 – Sen. Mimi Stewart (D)*
• 18 – Sen. Bill Tallman (D)
• 19 – Gregg Schmedes (R)*
• 20 – Rebecca Puck Stair (D)*
• 21 – Sen. Mark Moores (R)
• 22 – Sen. Benny Shendo (D)
• 24 – Sen. Nancy Rodriguez (D)
• 25 – Sen. Peter Wirth (D)
• 26 – Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D)
• 28 – Siah Correa Hemphill (D)*
• 30 – Sen. Clemente Sanchez (D)*
• 31 – Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D)*
• 35 – Sen. John Arthur Smith (D)*
• 36 – Sen. Jeff Steinborn (D)
• 37 – Sen. William Soules (D)
• 38 – Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D)*
• 39 – Sen. Elizabeth Stefanics (D)

State House Districts

• 4 – Rep. Anthony Allison (D)
• 6 – Rep. Eliseo Alcon (D)
• 10 – Rep. G. Andrés Romero (D)
• 11 – Rep. Javier Martínez (D)
• 13 – Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero (D)*
• 14 – Rep. Miguel Garcia (D)*
• 15 – Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D)
• 17 – Rep. Deborah Armstrong (D)*
• 19 – Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton (D)
• 20 – Meredith Dixon (D)*
• 21 – Rep. Debra Sariñana (D)
• 23 – Rep. Daymon Ely (D)
• 24 – Rep. Elizabeth Thomson (D)
• 25 – Rep. Christine Trujillo (D)
• 27 – Rep. Marian Matthews (D)*
• 28 – Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D)
• 29 – Rep. Joy Garratt (D)
• 30 – Rep. Natalie Figueroa (D)
• 33 – Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena (D)
• 35 – Rep. Angelica Rubio (D)
• 36 – Rep. Nathan Small (D)
• 37 – Rep. Joanne Ferrary (D)
• 39 – Rep. Rodolpho Martinez (D)
• 40 – Roger Montoya (D)*
• 42 – Kristina Ortez (D)*
• 43 – Rep. Christine Chandler (D)
• 45 – Linda Serrato (D)*
• 46 – Rep. Andrea Romero (D)
• 47 – Rep. Brian Egolf (D)
• 50 – Rep. Matthew McQueen (D)*
• 52 – Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D)
• 57 – Rep. Jason Harper (R)
• 65 – Rep. Derrick Lente (D)*
• 68 – Rep. Karen Bash (D)
• 69 – Rep. Harry Garcia (D)
• 70 – Anita Gonzales (D)*

APV-PAC will release additional endorsements for the general election at a later date. Animal Protection Voters/APV-PAC issues endorsements based on candidates’ records and positions on animal protection issues and not based on party affiliation.

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About Animal Protection Voters

Founded in 2002, Animal Protection Voters is the leading legislative and political advocacy organization for animal protection in New Mexico. Powered by grassroots supporters, its mission is to:

• Actively promote and support animal-friendly legislation at the state, federal, and local levels;
• Build an effective political voice for animal advocacy in New Mexico; and
• Hold New Mexico’s elected officials accountable on animal issues.

For more information about Animal Protection Voters’ accomplishments, current priority issues, and annual scorecards, please visit www.apvnm.org, and be sure to follow Animal Protection Voters on Facebook and Twitter.

About Animal Protection Voters-Political Action Committee (APV-PAC)

APV-PAC is the only political action committee in New Mexico dedicated solely to electing humane state lawmakers that support animal protection. Follow APV-PAC on Facebook to stay updated on its election work throughout the state.