Editor,

When NM Senator Carlos Cisneros died on Sept. 17, White Rock lost a legislator who knew his district, was informed on the issues and expert on process and stood with a strong voice for his constituents in his committees. He was available to meet with us to discuss issues, was responsive to our concerns and feedback, and although sometimes he didn’t vote on a bill the way I’d hoped, he would tell us why he took the positions he did. 

Now our Los Alamos County Councilors get to nominate a person to fill Cisneros’ unexpired term. They will meet with the Candidates on Nov. 12.  Gov.  Michelle Lujan Grisham will then pick from among the people nominated by all four counties that are, in part, in Senate District 6. What our community wants is to get a legislator as dedicated to our district as was Senator Cisneros.

The Sierra Club is endorsing Kristina Ortez for Senate District 6. Kristina is the Executive Director of the Taos Land Trust, and she is the President of the Board of Directors of Conservation Voters New Mexico, among other volunteer positions.  Kristina has a demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the people of her community and the State.  

 In addition, it is critically important that the governor appoint a woman to this seat.  There are presently only nine women in the Senate, and we need more women’s voices in the Senate. After you check out the other candidates, I bet you’ll determine Ortez is the most highly qualified to represent our values. Contact our County Councilors and ask them to vote for Kristina Ortez to fill the Senate District 6 seat.

https://www.losalamosnm.us/news/senator_cisneros_vacancy_letters_of_interest

https://www.landtrustalliance.org/blog/building-ambassador-landscape-community-input

https://www.taosnews.com/stories/counties-to-fill-vacant-senate-seat,59902

Jody Benson
Chair, Pajarito Group of the Sierra Club