U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury has received the backing of nearly every member of New Mexico’s all-Democrat congressional delegation in her campaign to become the ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee. However, one prominent figure remains notably silent on the matter.
While U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez have all publicly supported Stansbury’s bid to become the leading Democrat on the committee, U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich has chosen not to take a stance.
“Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury is an incredible leader who’s dedicated her career to championing the issues affecting communities in New Mexico and across the country,” Heinrich said, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. While acknowledging Stansbury’s qualifications, Heinrich emphasized his decision to remain neutral in the matter. “I am not a member of the House and do not weigh in on House leadership races, but I wish her the best as she seeks this position,” he stated.
Stansbury’s campaign to lead the House Natural Resources Committee has drawn attention, as it would position her as a key voice on matters affecting public lands, environmental policy, and natural resource management—critical issues for New Mexico. The role of ranking member is significant, especially in a politically divided Congress where the party in the minority seeks to assert influence over legislative priorities.
The decision by Heinrich to abstain from offering an endorsement is noteworthy. While it’s common for senators to refrain from involvement in House leadership races, the fact that the rest of New Mexico’s delegation has publicly supported Stansbury highlights the contrast. Some political observers may view Heinrich’s silence as a neutral stance, while others might interpret it as strategic discretion.
However, Heinrich is known to meddle in many contests across the state, including endorshing his hand-chosen candidates in Democrat primaries, including far-left Rep. Gabe Vasquez, to the chagrin of many of his party. It appears that with the governorship in his sights, Heinrich is distancing himself from Stansbury, who is a far-left extremist.
Stansbury’s rise in the House has been swift since her election in 2021 following Deb Haaland’s resignation to head Joe Biden’s Department of the Interior. Known for her activism in water policy and “environmental” issues, she has sought to leverage her background to secure a leadership role on the Natural Resources Committee. As the ranking member, she would be responsible for leading Democratic efforts on key environmental legislation and pushing back against the Republican majority.
With three of New Mexico’s four congressional Democrats backing her bid, Stansbury’s path to the position seems well-supported by New Mexico Democrat members of Congress. However, Heinrich’s decision not to offer an endorsement leaves room for speculation about internal dynamics within New Mexico’s congressional delegation.
Stansbury has terrible policy positions on Public Lands. Her and the other New Mexican leftists in Congress are in bed with the environmentalists.
Essentially their views are to lock up the public lands and throw away the keys. No multiple use. Grr.
Unfortunately, I’ve come to believe that there is no hope for New Mexico recovering from the left. Whether real or from cheating in elections all we wind up with is far left socialists in power that continue to destroy the state and making it one of the worst states to live in. The state has a lot going for it, but the politicians keep it suppressed keeping us at the top of every bad list and the bottom of every good list. Heinrich has never cared about this state and does not even live here, a carpet bagger, so is Stansbury, they only care about power, the other 2 clearly are just as incompetent. Heinrich will continue MLGs destruction of the state and the Republican party has no good candidates to go against him and has been spineless for years, except for the few we have in the state legislature.
Well said and agree.
Stansbury is an “American Marxist”
Heinrich is a wolf in wolf’s clothing! The far left don’t have to even try to be moderate. The people of New Mexico who keep voting for these people just don’t understand why this state never gets any better. The democrats have been in charge for so long because many voters don’t bother to look into the policies that keep this state in poverty. The majority party don’t give one iota about the people of NM. If they did, then they would actually live here! They only come to the state during election time, and tell the lies the sheep want to hear. WAKE UP NEW MEXICO! Our house is on fire and we are still asleep inside!
Not to worry…this is a show..marty will bring nm together under the new zia sign with the sickle and hammer in the center and stansbury will be in the cabinet.
I hope someday I will have representation in Congress….sadly, today is not the day.