VOTER'S GUIDE

• If elected, what specific policies will you pursue in 2023 to begin rapidly transitioning our economy to achieve carbon neutrality in the timeframe set by the world’s leading scientists?

Increase investment in alternative clean energy such as wind, solar and geothermal to provide electricity which will create clean energy jobs. Capture methane and natural gases that are released from oil well drilling process that will result in additional revenues for the state budget. These revenues would be used for early childhood education and provide funds for free college for individuals that could continue in pursuing higher education.
Enacting these industries will greatly begin transitioning our economy to achieve carbon neutrality,

• Do you agree with climate scientists that the brunt of the impacts we face due to climate change will be put on those who contributed the least emissions? (The global South, Indigenous, and low-income communities)

Yes 

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• Do you agree with climate scientists that greenhouse gas emissions must be reversed within 8 years in order to achieve carbon neutrality in time to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees and to avoid catastrophic runaway climate disruption?

Yes

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• In your opinion, why do political leaders set benchmarks and timeframes for emissions reductions that do not comport with climate science mandates?

The main issue is the significant amount of revenues that are provided by the by the gas and oil industry prevents political leaders from setting benchmarks and timeframes for emissions reduction. Should this industry cut back in their drilling thus could result in significant loss revenues for the state.

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• If elected, what will you do differently than current leadership?

I will make sure that all voices are heard not just those that follow the direction of the current leadership.

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• What measures will you propose and advance to ensure that economic recovery and the transition to a green economy fosters equity and economic & racial justice?

I will support scientifically proven measures that will propose and advance to ensure the economic recovery and the transition to a green economy fosters equity and economic and racial justice.

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• If elected, will you support the creation of a Just Transition Study & Fund to identify alternative revenue sources for our state budget and allocate funds from oil and gas directly into community-driven climate mitigation and adaptation strategies? Explain.

Yes, i will support the creation of a Just Transition Study and Fund to identify alternative revenue sources for our state budget and allocate funds from oil and gas directly into community-driven climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

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• If elected, how will you include Indigenous and traditional land-based knowledge in the development of a sustainable economy for all of NM?

I will include indigenous and traditional land-based knowledge in the development of sustainable economy for all of New Mexico.

• Who will you talk to about climate issues? Who advises you? What is your plan for community consultation on climate issues?

I will confer with local groups, state level experts and federal agencies about climate issues.
In our community there are a number of individuals and groups that are very involved in climate issues.
My plan for community consultation on climate issues is holding meetings to educate community members, inviting experts to provide the real issues in climate change.

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• Define environmental racism in your own words and provide an example in NM

Environmental racism is when corporation or company produces hazardous or toxic waste near or in a community inhabited by indigenous people or people of color and continuously violate environment rules and regulations.
An example is the waste dumps of uranium in Cibola County.

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• What is the responsibility of your generation to the youth and future generations while in office? Explain.

Our responsibility of our generation to the youth and future generations is developing policies which will protect our environment, supporting efforts to protect our water and access to public lands, supporting healthcare systems to ensure access to quality healthcare including behavioral health services, protecting our current jobs while investing in ways to grow new jobs and supporting our teachers and systems to ensure success in education.

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• A) Do you support placing a moratorium on new gas development in the state of New Mexico? Why or Why Not?

I support placing a moratorium o new gas development in the state of New Mexico. Not allowing new wells will reduce the increase of CO2.

• B) Do you support placing a moratorium on new gas plant investment for utilities in New Mexico? Why or Why Not?

I support placing moratorium on new gas plant investment for utilities in New Mexico. The construction of new plants have protentional of increasing the emission of CO2 gases into our atmosphere.

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• Do you support nuclear energy? Why or Why Not?

According to studies, nuclear energy is one of the cleanest in comparison to coal and gas plants. However, the potential of radiation emissions and the

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• Do you support the development of Hydrogen Production Hubs here in New Mexico? Why or Why Not?

I rely on scientific data which in studies on Hydrogen Production Hubs have determined that such development may increase larger amounts ofCO2 emissions. Until there is a process to reduce or eliminate CO2 gases, I will not support such development.

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• Do you support community ownership of energy where Cities/Counties/Indigenous Nations are able to own, produce, and sell electricity to residents and keep energy dollars local?

I support community ownership of energy where Cities/Counties/Indigenous Nations to be able to own, produce and sell electricity to residents and keep energy dollars local/

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• What do you believe is the fossil fuel industry/utility’s responsibility for cleanup and how as an elected official in the public office for which you are running do you plan to hold industry accountable for pollution and cleanup?

We must work with our congressional delegation to ensure that those wells that are on federal land are required to provide the appropriate bonding. The wells that are on private land should be held accountable at the same level as those on federal and state land.

• Do you support utility bill forgiveness for low-income New Mexicans who have been hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis?

Yes

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• Some are saying that COVID-19 is the dress rehearsal for the climate crisis. In fact, in many places throughout the world, the two are compounding crises. What do you think we can learn from the COVID-19 crisis when addressing the climate crisis?

The first that needs to be done is to use date gathered during the COVID*19 crisis and be prepared for addressing any issue that comes forth.

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• Describe your previous experience working on social/health/environmental issues, do you have experience working with impacted communities to co-develop solutions? How will you use this experience to tackle the climate crisis?

While serving as Mayor for the City of Bayard and a member of Grant County and the three municipalities community group, we created the Grant County Commission. The commission was tasked with creating policy on water issues as well as addressing environmental concerns of the communities. The top priorities were to protect our water resources to ensure all residents of Grant County had clean and quality water. While in office I introduced legislation to start the process to not provide funds for the Gila River diversion I have supported the designation of the Gila River as a free-flowing river and the protection of lands along the river As Mayor we were one of the first municipalities in New Mexico to adopt the Health Security Act.

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• What are your ideas to loosen the grip of industry on the state legislature and strengthen our democracy?

The legislature must invest in other sources thar will provide revenues which will replace lost revenue from gas and oil. Continue to invest in wind, solar and geothermal exploration. New Mexico has the opportunity to expand its tourism industry by promoting the many recreational public lands.

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• Name specific alternative sources for state revenue that you'd pursue and propose if elected

I will pursue the use of geothermal to provide a source of energy for power plants.

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• Have you accepted any donations from fossil fuel companies or utilities? Yes/No

No

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Will you take the #fossilfree pledge? http://nofossilfuelmoney.org/politician-signup/

Yes