Rep. Joseph Sanchez

BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com

The Albuquerque Journal has endorsed Joseph Sanchez in the Democratic Primary Election for the Congressional set currently held by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Lujan. Sanchez is currently the state representative for House District 40.

The Journal said Monday that Sanchez has shown himself to be the most pragmatic candidate in a crowded field of high-profile Democrats seeking to succeed Luján, who is running for U.S. Senate.

“Sanchez’s focus is fully supporting the Affordable Care Act while tackling poverty, addiction, job creation and training, and access to water, electricity and broadband internet,” the Journal stated.

It noted that unlike many of his opponents, “Sanchez has been in the political arena a short time, although he’s already had an impact. In his current term in the New Mexico House he secured funding for the first homeless shelter in Española and a rural health care clinic in Colfax County, while bringing the building trades program back to Northern New Mexico College”.

“The soft-spoken Sanchez is the best fit for northern New Mexico. He has the potential to be a quiet, yet effective, congressman and a leader on energy policy. He seeks to get things done, not to garner headlines, which is what the 3rd District needs,” the editorial concluded.

Sanchez told the Los Alamos Reporter Tuesday morning that it’s an honor to be endorsed by the state’s largest newspaper.

“When elected to Congress, I will work tirelessly to advocate for the district, and the Journal sees that,” he said. “No other candidate realizes how important Los Alamos National Lab is to northern New Mexico’s economy and I will do everything I can to support and protect its funding,” he said.

Sanchez worked for LANL for 20 years.