Two Dems quickly announce NM Senate runs after longtime senator retires

Following Democrat New Mexico State Sen. Nancy Rodriguez’s Wednesday announcement that she will not seek re-election for her Santa Fe-area seat in the New Mexico Legislature after serving since 1997, two prominent Sant Fe figures have declared their intentions to enter the Democrat primary for District 24. 

Linda Trujillo, a Democrat former New Mexico House of Representatives member, and Anna Hansen, a Democrat Santa Fe County Commissioner, are the early entrants into the race, as the Santa Fe New Mexican first reported.

Santa Fe County Commissioner Anna Hansen official photo.

Linda Trujillo has had a varied career in public service. She served in the New Mexico House of Representatives for District 48 from January 2017 until her resignation in July 2020. 

Her resignation from the state House was attributed to financial pressures exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced by members of New Mexico’s all-volunteer legislature, who do not receive a salary but are compensated with a per diem for legislative sessions and interim committee hearings. 

Former Rep. Linda Trujillo portrait via NMLegis.gov

Trujillo’s tenure in the House saw her replacing Luciano “Lucky” Varela, a long-standing legislator, after winning a three-way Democratic primary in 2016. She then served without facing primary or general election opposition in the heavily Democratic district until her resignation. 

Trujillo’s background also includes her roles as a local school board member and her leadership at the state’s Licensing and Regulation Department, where she contributed significantly to the state of New Mexico over her years of service.

During her time in office, Trujillo’s platform focused on a range of issues, including education, abortion, eco-leftism, and economic development.

This transition in District 24 represents a major change and the potential for new leadership to address the ongoing challenges and opportunities within the Legislature. The district is heavily Democrat-leaning, so it is unclear if the GOP will run a candidate.

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7 thoughts on “Two Dems quickly announce NM Senate runs after longtime senator retires”

  1. Why wouldn’t the Rep. Party challenge? Giving up is the answer? Really???

    New Mexico, this is why we will never rise above dead last in everything. No fight left for the sake of good or God!

  2. Janice E. Arnold-Jones

    Republicans must stand up and run for this seat. It is not the party that stands up, it is individual Republicans. No candidates? No choice. Let’s change that now!

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