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Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.
Shannon Pinto
Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.State Senate DistrictShannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.
Shannon Pinto
Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.State Senate District
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Depending on where you live, you may have one of the below State Senate races on your ballot.
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Shannon Pinto is running for re-election for Senate District 3. She has held the office since 2019. Pinto was originally appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, and then ran for and won re-election to the seat in 2020. She currently serves as Chair of the Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, and as a member of the Senate Education Committee. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Pinto is a member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico, a small rural community in McKinley County between Gallup and Shiprock. Her grandfather also served as a state senator for many years. Currently, she works as a Teacher at Tohatchi High School and is also known for her advocacy and community organizing around education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development, reflecting her commitment to empowering marginalized communities and ensuring their voices are heard.
Her priorities include education reform, tribal sovereignty, affordable housing, healthcare access, and economic development. Additionally, she is also focused on addressing income equality by attracting higher paying jobs in the community, and increasing mental health and addiction resources for Native Americans. Her voting record in the 2024 and 2023 legislative sessions includes supporting establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), requiring public colleges and universities to provide information on affirmative consent in orientation (HB151), requiring disclaimers on political advertising that uses AI-generated content (HB182), and prohibiting firearms at polling places (SB5), and establishing state protections for gender affirming care (HB7).
We highly recommend Shannon Pinto for Senate District 3 based on her history of supporting critical issues for New Mexicans.
Other Candidates
Other Candidates - SD3
Sherylene Yazzie is running against incumbent Shannon Pinto in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 3. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources. From what public records could be found, it appears she has worked or does work for the Navajo Nation. No other public campaign information can be found.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Sherylene Yazzie for Senate District 3.
Other Candidates - SD3
Sherylene Yazzie is running against incumbent Shannon Pinto in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 3. She did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources. From what public records could be found, it appears she has worked or does work for the Navajo Nation. No other public campaign information can be found.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Sherylene Yazzie for Senate District 3.
No Good Choices
George Munoz is running for re-election for Senate District 4. He has served in this seat since 2009. He currently serves as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and is a member of the Senate Committees’ Committee. He did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Munoz is the President of Munoz Corporation. No public information can be found on past employment or volunteer experience.
Munoz holds a very powerful position in the Senate as Chair of the Finance Committee, giving him the power to determine what bills will move through that committee and at what speed. While he is registered as a Democrat, he often votes with Republicans on key issues and opts not to vote on additional critical policies.
Some critical votes that Munoz has voted NO on are: Repeal of State Law Criminalizing Abortion (SB10, 2021), Clean Fuel Standards (SB14, 2022), Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Sales (HB129, 2024). Some critical votes that Munoz has opted not to vote on are: Prohibits Future Interest Rate Increases i.e. predatory loan caps (HB132, 2022), Establishes State Protections for Abortion and Gender Affirming Care (HB7, 2023), Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation (HB151, 2024).
While Munoz has voted for some good policies, based on the critical policies he has voted against, we cannot recommend a vote for George Munoz for Senate District 4.
Keith Hillock
Keith Hillock is running against incumbent George Munoz in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 4. He did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Little was found in public documents about Hillock’s work and volunteer experience. According to meeting minutes from February 2023, Hillock works in an operations role at a Charter School in Gallup, Hózhó Academy. On his website he states he has worked in the nuclear and oil and gas industry as an inspector and leader and was a union member of both the Electrical Union (IBEW) International Association of Machinist and Aerospace workers.
Hillock’s personal experience with growing up as a child of parents who were addicted to drugs and alcohol, combined with his observations of the Gallup community over the last six years that he has lived there, drives his desire to run for office. His stated priority areas are addressing crime through stricter state and local laws, correctional institutions, and additional mental health and addiction resources and income equality through expanded early access to trade programs and attracting quality, high paying jobs.
While we agree with some of Hillock’s stated priorities, we have concerns about his desire to enact stricter laws and increase the number of correctional facilities in the state as well as his ties to the oil and gas industry. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Keith Hillock.
No good choices - SD4
George Munoz
George Munoz is running for re-election for Senate District 4. He has served in this seat since 2009. He currently serves as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and is a member of the Senate Committees’ Committee. He did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Munoz is the President of Munoz Corporation. No public information can be found on past employment or volunteer experience.
Munoz holds a very powerful position in the Senate as Chair of the Finance Committee, giving him the power to determine what bills will move through that committee and at what speed. While he is registered as a Democrat, he often votes with Republicans on key issues and opts not to vote on additional critical policies.
Some critical votes that Munoz has voted NO on are: Repeal of State Law Criminalizing Abortion (SB10, 2021), Clean Fuel Standards (SB14, 2022), Establishes a Waiting Period for Firearm Sales (HB129, 2024). Some critical votes that Munoz has opted not to vote on are: Prohibits Future Interest Rate Increases i.e. predatory loan caps (HB132, 2022), Establishes State Protections for Abortion and Gender Affirming Care (HB7, 2023), Requires Public Colleges and Universities Include Material on Affirmative Consent in Orientation (HB151, 2024).
While Munoz has voted for some good policies, based on the critical policies he has voted against, we cannot recommend a vote for George Munoz for Senate District 4.
Keith Hillock
Keith Hillock is running against incumbent George Munoz in the Democratic Primary for Senate District 4. He did not return a candidate questionnaire so the information presented is gathered only through public sources.
Little was found in public documents about Hillock’s work and volunteer experience. According to meeting minutes from February 2023, Hillock works in an operations role at a Charter School in Gallup, Hózhó Academy. On his website he states he has worked in the nuclear and oil and gas industry as an inspector and leader and was a union member of both the Electrical Union (IBEW) International Association of Machinist and Aerospace workers.
Hillock’s personal experience with growing up as a child of parents who were addicted to drugs and alcohol, combined with his observations of the Gallup community over the last six years that he has lived there, drives his desire to run for office. His stated priority areas are addressing crime through stricter state and local laws, correctional institutions, and additional mental health and addiction resources and income equality through expanded early access to trade programs and attracting quality, high paying jobs.
While we agree with some of Hillock’s stated priorities, we have concerns about his desire to enact stricter laws and increase the number of correctional facilities in the state as well as his ties to the oil and gas industry. There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Keith Hillock.
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Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.
Christopher Hudson
Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.House DistrictChristopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.
Christopher Hudson
Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.House District
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Christopher Brian Hudson is running against incumbent Patricia Lundstrom in the Democratic Primary for House District 9.
Hudson works as Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, and previously worked in public health and community outreach with Strong Families New Mexico. His volunteer experience includes community organizing for Somos Gallup and We Own It, serving as a board member for NM Alliance of Health Councils, as a lead for the NM Together for Healthcare campaign, and a founding board member of the NW NM Indigenous Women’s Resource Council. Hudson is a UNM graduate, Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient, and was also named 2019 Rural Health Star by the Center for Health Innovation.
Hudson is motivated to run for HD9 because of his passion for community organizing, public health, and serving rural areas of the state. His priorities include increased healthcare and behavioral health access, protections for workers and their families, protections and equitable access for LGBTQ2s+ community members, increased investment in and options for affordable housing, and modernizing the legislature to ensure all New Mexicans are able to serve.
Additionally, Hudson supports active and inclusive consultation with tribal governments and nations, increased investment in renewable energy, protecting clean air and water, and a just transition away from oil and gas industries.
We recommend Christopher Hudson based on his track record of advocating for healthcare access and education, and for his experience in public outreach and community organizing for House District 9.
Other Candidates
Other Candidates - HD9
Patricia Lundstrom
Patricia Lundstrom is running for re-election for House District 9. She has served in the legislature since 2001, and is currently a member of the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee and House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee.
Lundstrom is the Executive Director of the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC), and previously was the Executive Director of Northwest NM Council of Governments. She is a graduate of Grants High School and New Mexico State University, where she gained an undergraduate degree and a masters’ degrees in public administration.
Lundstrom’s priorities and focus areas include workforce development, infrastructure, and finance. While she has sponsored and supported some initiatives that align with the needs of New Mexicans, she has voted against many critical bills.
In 2024 she voted against legislation to prohibit firearms at state voting drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), setting clean energy standards at the state level (SB41), and paid family medical leave (SB3). In 2023 she voted against enacting protections for abortion and gender-affirming healthcare (SB13 & HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9). In previous sessions, Lundstrom also voted against prohibiting the intimidation of election workers (SB144), paid sick leave (HB20), and repealing the abortion ban in 2021 (SB10). Additionally, in 2015, she voted with Republicans to pass a 20 week abortion ban.
With respect to campaign funding, Lundstrom was reportedly one of the top recipients of oil and gas contributions in 2022, receiving approximately $22,000 in donations. She also actively worked to elect conservative democrats to the house during the 2022 primary elections, aligning her campaign contributions with well known oil and gas name Henry Yates.
There are also some ethics concerns regarding the relationship between her legislative and professional activities as Executive Director of GGEDC. In January 2021, GGEDC received a $1.25 million donation from Tri-State (a wholesale power supplier), following Lundstrom’s sponsoring a bill in 2020 that allowed for the redevelopment of the Escalante plant.
Given Patricia Lundstrom’s voting record on critical issues, her work to elect conservatives to office, and potential ethics concerns, we do not recommend her for House District 9.
Arval Todd McCabe
Arval Todd McCabe did not return our questionnaire and we were unable to locate a campaign website or social media profiles.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Arval Todd McCabe for House District 9.
Other Candidates - HD9
Patricia Lundstrom
Patricia Lundstrom is running for re-election for House District 9. She has served in the legislature since 2001, and is currently a member of the House Commerce & Economic Development Committee and House Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements Committee.
Lundstrom is the Executive Director of the Greater Gallup Economic Development Corporation (GGEDC), and previously was the Executive Director of Northwest NM Council of Governments. She is a graduate of Grants High School and New Mexico State University, where she gained an undergraduate degree and a masters’ degrees in public administration.
Lundstrom’s priorities and focus areas include workforce development, infrastructure, and finance. While she has sponsored and supported some initiatives that align with the needs of New Mexicans, she has voted against many critical bills.
In 2024 she voted against legislation to prohibit firearms at state voting drop boxes and polling places (SB5), establishing a waiting period for firearm purchases (HB129), setting clean energy standards at the state level (SB41), and paid family medical leave (SB3). In 2023 she voted against enacting protections for abortion and gender-affirming healthcare (SB13 & HB7), and establishing negligently leaving a firearm accessible to a minor as a crime (HB9). In previous sessions, Lundstrom also voted against prohibiting the intimidation of election workers (SB144), paid sick leave (HB20), and repealing the abortion ban in 2021 (SB10). Additionally, in 2015, she voted with Republicans to pass a 20 week abortion ban.
With respect to campaign funding, Lundstrom was reportedly one of the top recipients of oil and gas contributions in 2022, receiving approximately $22,000 in donations. She also actively worked to elect conservative democrats to the house during the 2022 primary elections, aligning her campaign contributions with well known oil and gas name Henry Yates.
There are also some ethics concerns regarding the relationship between her legislative and professional activities as Executive Director of GGEDC. In January 2021, GGEDC received a $1.25 million donation from Tri-State (a wholesale power supplier), following Lundstrom’s sponsoring a bill in 2020 that allowed for the redevelopment of the Escalante plant.
Given Patricia Lundstrom’s voting record on critical issues, her work to elect conservatives to office, and potential ethics concerns, we do not recommend her for House District 9.
Arval Todd McCabe
Arval Todd McCabe did not return our questionnaire and we were unable to locate a campaign website or social media profiles.
There is not enough public information for us to make a recommendation for or against Arval Todd McCabe for House District 9.
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