Garcia, the Democratic incumbent, answered Source NM’s questions before the June primary. Zubia, his Republican challenger, lists his positions on his campaign site. They have spoken on different issues, so every card below is one candidate speaking alone. The Ledger sent both candidates questions on Oct. 15; neither had answered as of publication.
Miguel P. Garcia
Democrat
Incumbent since 1997 and a retired K-5 teacher, per the Legislature. Hadn't answered our questions by Oct. 15.
Richard Victor Zubia
Republican
Born and raised in the South Valley, per his site. Hadn't answered our questions by Oct. 15.
Only one has said
Roads and older neighborhoods
Only Garcia
Garcia
Calls infrastructure his district's biggest issue: drainage, curbs, streetlights and parks in older neighborhoods
Source · Source NM primary voter guide
Zubia
Hasn’t said — we asked
What they said
Garcia told Source NM that the biggest issue in his district is infrastructure. Most roads in the county part of the district have no drainage or curbs and flood, he said, and older neighborhoods like Barelas and South Broadway lack parks, streetlights and landscaped medians. The Ledger found no statement from Zubia on roads or neighborhood upkeep.
Water and data centers
Only Garcia
Garcia
Calls the water crisis for farmers the state's top issue, made worse by existing or proposed data centers
Source · Source NM primary voter guide
Zubia
Hasn’t said — we asked
What they said
Garcia said the most important issue facing New Mexico is the water crisis hitting irrigators and farmers, made worse “by existing or proposed data centers.” He wants to bring back a bill creating a Spanish Land Grant and Acequia Infrastructure Fund, his third try. The Ledger found no statement from Zubia on water or data centers.
Workers and wages
Only Garcia
Garcia
Runs on worker rights, citing wage theft laws and his part in raising the minimum wage to $12
Source · Source NM primary voter guide
Zubia
Hasn’t said — we asked
What they said
Garcia pointed to laws against wage theft and his part in raising the state minimum wage from $7.50 to $12 an hour in 2019. He also said he is worried about what oil and gas do to people’s health and the environment. The Ledger found no statement from Zubia on wages or worker rights.
Taxes
Only Zubia
Garcia
Hasn’t said — we asked
What they said
Zubia’s site says the state should cut the gross receipts tax, charge less in taxes and spend its reserves wisely. The Ledger found no statement from Garcia on taxes.
Crime
Only Zubia
Garcia
Hasn’t said — we asked
What they said
Zubia lists safe communities among his values: back the police and hold people who commit crimes accountable. The Ledger found no statement from Garcia on crime.
Schools
Only Zubia
Garcia
Hasn’t said — we asked
Zubia
Expand school choice, support homeschooling and fund students, not systems; grow career and technical classes
What they said
Zubia wants to expand school choice, support homeschooling and “fund students—not systems.” He would also use the budget to grow career and technical education. The Ledger found no statement from Garcia on school choice.
Health care
Only Zubia
Garcia
Hasn’t said — we asked
Zubia
Join every health care licensing compact and pass medical malpractice reform to keep doctors
What they said
To fill doctor and nurse shortages, Zubia would join all health care licensing compacts and pass medical malpractice reform. The Ledger found no statement from Garcia on health care.
The border and ICE
Only Zubia
Garcia
Hasn’t said — we asked
Zubia
Supports ICE going after people with criminal records first; backs reform for longtime residents with clean records
What they said
Zubia says he supports ICE focusing on criminals first, and would push for immigration reform for longtime, tax-paying residents with no serious criminal record. Immigration law is federal, he notes. The Ledger found no statement from Garcia on immigration.
Garcia sits on the House Energy, Environment and Natural Resources and Labor, Veterans’ and Military Affairs committees, according to the Legislature’s member page.
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