Commentary: The primaries for state legislators arrive in some four months. District 35 is an open seat. One candidate is outstanding.
Angelica Rubio has touched thousands of Las Crucens’ lives. She worked to protect the Organ Mountains, reveled in its national monument designation, protecting them for future generations. Angelica managed the minimum wage petition campaign and saw to its unexpected passage by the City Council — $10.10 in 2019. She has worked hard to increase the voting population in local and state elections, a never-ending task.
She wants to take these skills and successes to the state House of Representatives and continue highlighting equality and justice for all. There are several major interest areas for District 35 residents. Angelica hopes to highlight these with her underlying belief of ending both poverty and racism.
(1) Angelica wants to help fix the mental health system for the “invincible majority” — patients, their families and those unserved. A southern New Mexico mental health hospital is the first step. Many people cannot afford treatment and remain undiagnosed. New Mexicans in poverty and of color are at the highest risk.
(2) Thirty percent of our children are in poverty and among other things have few or no educational options. Angelica will work to pass laws filling educational gaps -— from minimal early childhood education to those entering the workforce. She wants expansion of workforce options — more apprenticeship programs, on the job or pre-job training; more trade schooling, expansion of DACC offerings for high school and early college students and more partnering with NMSU.
(3) She also expects to help expand jobs for our local small businesses and improve veterans care in this district
Vote for Angelica in the June 7 Democratic primary. Voter registration is open until May 10, 2016, for new registrations, party or address changes