Torres-Velasquez, a Democrat whose bio says she has been an associate professor at the University of New Mexico, has represented the district since 2025. Trujillo, a Republican, is a licensed engineer who spent 15 years at PNM and 22 at the state Department of Transportation. The cards run from where they differ most to where they agree most, and compare how each would do it. The Ledger sent both candidates questions on Oct. 15; neither had answered as of publication.
Diane Torres-Velasquez
Democrat
Incumbent since 2025. Hadn't answered our questions by publication.
Jerry Trujillo
Republican
Licensed engineer; 15 years at PNM, 22 at the state Department of Transportation. Hadn't answered our questions by publication.
Where they differ
Immigration and ICE
Differ
What they said
Torres-Velasquez’s site lists HB 9, the Immigrant Safety Act, passed in 2026, as barring local government entities from contracting with ICE to detain people over civil violations and barring local law enforcement from immigration enforcement. Trujillo’s site says “our opponent’s first major act in the Legislature was passing the Immigrant Safety Act” and would restore cooperation among state, local and federal agencies. His site also says she created a new state division for refugees; the Ledger did not find that on her site and has not checked it.
Education
Differ
What they said
Torres-Velasquez’s priorities include strengthening literacy, math and special education programs and supporting teachers facing rising health insurance costs, and her bill list includes memorials asking for studies of teacher workloads and of a “gifted-in-field” teacher endorsement. Trujillo says “the answer isn’t more memorials and study committees” and “studying teacher workloads is not the same as fixing them.” He names no specific fix.
Local projects and infrastructure
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Both promise to bring money to the district. Torres-Velasquez’s site lists 21 capital outlay allocations, including $250,000 for the North Domingo Baca Park Aquatic Center, $225,000 for the Fire Rescue Training Academy and $125,000 for a Cherry Hills Library upgrade. Trujillo says he would be “a forceful advocate for District 30’s infrastructure needs in Santa Fe”, “fighting for capital investment in roads, utilities, and community systems”.
Health care
Same goal, different approach
What they said
Torres-Velasquez’s priorities include expanding health care affordability, provider access and the medical workforce. Her bill list names HB 99 on changes to the Medical Malpractice Act (2026) and SB 1 on expanded uses of the rural health care delivery fund (2025). Trujillo told Vote411 that “NM can attract doctors if we have the right patient/doctor protection laws,” and that UNM medical students should be recruited with money and protection incentives.
Only one has said
Taxes and state spending
Only Trujillo
Torres-Velasquez
Hasn’t said
What they said
Trujillo says he “will fight for tax relief for working families and small businesses” and would oppose wasteful spending and unnecessary bureaucratic expansion, without naming a tax or a cut. The Ledger found nothing from Torres-Velasquez on taxes.
Issue photos: Immigration and ICE, stock photo by Mark Stebnicki · Pexels License.
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