Democrats Running for the House
- Charlotte Pickett
- Jun 3, 2018
- 3 min read
6 Democrats are competing for the primary ballot for the US House of Representative for District 1. Here's a brief glimpse into how they've distinguished themselves in this race. Please note that the details below are strictly a sampling of what I felt are important points identified on each candidates website and during their debate and are in no way a complete or candidate endorsed representation. Please see the links to their pages and videos for more information.
Antoinette Sedillo-Lopez
One Liner: Self described activist, latina, survivor, mother, anti-domestic violence advocate. Lawyer and former UNM law professor.
Positions: She speaks of too many families living paycheck to paycheck, college students crippled with debt. She supports raising the age of gun purchase, a federal buyback program to take guns off the street, a single payer healthcare system. In her words "I will be a strong progressive voice in Congress standing up to Trump and fighting for Medicare for All, lower middle-class taxes, a 100% renewable energy economy, and to protect DREAMers from deportation.”
Deb Haaland
One Liner: Native American, single mom, prior state party chair raised in a military family.
Positions: She believes in increased funding for behavioral health, fighting for Planned Parenthood, raising taxes for the rich and a renewable energy revolution for New Mexico. She would vote to legalize cannabis as an economic boon for the district, improve schools, and make NM a tech center for the southwest. In her words "there's never been a Native American Woman in Congress. Now is the time to be fierce and demand change. I'm Deb Haaland and Congress has never heard a voice like mine."
Pat Davis:
One Liner: Gay former police officer standing up to NRA and speaking truth to power. City Councilor for District 6 and Head of ProgressNow
Positions: Pro gun control and banning assault weapons. “As an officer, I too often arrested the same people over and over and I responded to more shootings than I can count...it seemed that we never solved much of the problem. That’s why I pledged to... learn how I could change the system.” Also for marijuana decriminalization, decoupling healthcare from employment, decriminalizing immigrants, renewable energy. Has co-sponsored Solar bills as City-Counsilor and led multiple initiatives against the NRA to end school shootings.
Damien Lara
One Liner: Lived the American Dream growing up as a poor Latino immigrant who worked twice as hard with half as much and became a successful attorney, now with 15 years of legislative experience.
Positions: Believes we need budget and tax code reform to dismantle systemic inequality and create affordable housing, that gun violence is a public health crisis that should be studied by CDC and that healthcare is a basic human right. Is in full support of medicare for all, wants to abolish private prisons and improve rights for incarcerated.
Paul Moya
One Liner: Current CEO of Millenial labs who grew up on a farm in central New Mexico, Harvard law graduate.
Positions: Believes in responsibility to the community, importance of job growth and education. Only 2% of gun crimes are from assault weapons therefore more holistic solutions to the problem of gun violence are needed. Supports looking into areas of healthcare waste, increased options for the middle class, better negotiated drug prices and bringing a business perspective to these issues. Introduces a Medicare Extra to expand Medicare coverage by taxing those who earn over 250,000, sugar, alcohol, and tobacco.
Damon Martinez
One Liner: Veteran and former U.S. Attorney under Obama, one of 46 who was fired by Trump.
Positions: Prioritized issues of Opiate use and sexual assault during his term as U.S. attorney. Believes in fighting crime , working on education, would like to force gun companies make responsible guns, would like to provide appropriations to the CDC to start studying this issue. Believes everyone deserves affordable healthcare. Is against rolling back social security services. Supports ending federal funding for pregnancy crisis centers.
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