Dist. 40 Rep. Roger Montoya suspended his political campaign for four weeks in late April to focused on those impacted by the wildfires burning in Northern New Mexico. Courtesy photo

By Rep. Roger E. Montoya
Dist. 40

I believe the role of State Representative for HD40 requires a leader with the skills and tenacity to fight for equity and resources for our beautiful, 6,000 square mile, rural district and every rural community in New Mexico.

At the Federal level, there has been no significant investment in our rural communities since the Eisenhower administration over 60 years ago. The Biden administration is about to change that. With the State flush with oil and gas revenue, it is time for our State to invest in rural New Mexico.

The needs are great. Extreme poverty, crumbling infrastructure, and shrinking populations leave our people vulnerable to severe health disparities and outcomes, the ever-growing threat of substance use disorder, a housing crisis, and, now, devastating wildfires, still unimaginable in size. It is long past time to break the cycle of neglect of the needs of rural New Mexico.

The wildfires destroying beautiful Mora, Colfax, San Miguel, counties demonstrate the dire need for targeted investment in industrial back-up generators, emergency water systems, modernized energy sources, and satellite and high speed Internet. We must eliminate the red tape so our brave first responders can be effective and safe, and harm to our people, their homes, and our magnificent forests is limited.

My 30 years of public service have centered on action, not words. Immediately upon being elected, I began working for the people of District 40, listening, collaborating, and responding. I do this work because Northern New Mexico is my ancestral home – the land, air and water that my family have nourished and protected for centuries.

In my first term in office, I:

• Established the bi-partisan Rural Economic Opportunity Task Force. The Task Force completed a comprehensive study designed to ensure legislation to finally address disparities in water and wastewater services, electricity, roads and bridges, and broadband Internet.
• Introduced and passed HB 183, which freed entire families from a cycle of debt, and gave our youth a chance, rather than harming them and their families.
• Voted in favor of SB10, which removed the 1969 abortion ban.
• Co-sponsored HB8, The Land Grant Merced Assistance Fund, which will bring much needed support to our traditional land grant communities.
• Introduced the landmark HB 173, the Rural Infrastructure Crisis Response Act, which will provide millions in immediate funding for rural communities for infrastructure emergencies.
• Led the $1.86 million building acquisition for the Española Pathways Homeless Shelter, a shelter I co-founded.
• Fought diligently to restore $50 million in Junior money in SB48 that was vetoed. I rallied a bipartisan coalition of legislators and every cent is being returned to rural communities throughout New Mexico.
• Visited all communities in my 6,000 square mile district multiple times.
• Hosted critical acequia, land grant and transportation town halls, bringing the policies, experts, and resources to the people in their communities.
• Co-produced and hosted the state’s first ever NM Rural Summit at the Capital on May 12 and 13, 2022, with my brilliant Chief of Staff, Isaac Dakota Casados. This historic event welcomed hundreds of rural leaders bringing the passion, commitment, and knowledge of their community issues inside the Roundhouse. Deemed the ‘People’s Summit’, free of partisanship, we identified problems and needs, shared solutions, and now have a blueprint for the interim legislative process.

In late April, I suspended my political campaign for four weeks while I focused solely on the wildfires– feeding those stuck behind the fire lines, ensuring food was supplied to all evacuation centers, ensuring thousands of evacuees had a safe and comfortable roof over their head, medical needs were addressed, and fears lifted.

Serving as a Representative has been the honor of my lifetime. I will continue to speak up for my constituents no matter how uncomfortable I make others. When I started my campaign last time, I committed to being a truth-teller.

While others make generic campaign promises, negative campaign attacks, and even threats against me, I will continue to fight with all my heart for our land, our communities, our cultures and heritage, and you. 

I ask for your vote so that I may continue this great work on behalf of HD40.