Meet our 2020 Candidates
Emerge New Mexico invites you to get to know our 73 candidates currently running for office! We will be highlighting candidates daily until the New Mexico Primary on June 2, 2020 so keep an eye out for our Emergistas running for office! Scroll down to learn more!
Leah Ahkee-Baczkiewicz, Sandoval County Commission, District 2
Leah is a lifelong resident of New Mexico. She moved to Rio Rancho eleven years ago, where she chose to raise her three children. She is a proud Democratic woman who comes from the Navajo Nation. Professionally Leah works in the healthcare industry. Leah strongly believes in working in her community. She chose to work with the local Democratic Party where she found a passion for organizing. She helps to organize a monthly luncheon in her neighborhood which provides a platform for Democratic candidates and brings forth social and political issues that impact her community. She is the current Sandoval County Democratic Party Vice-Chair, having been elected two times and is on the State Central Committee. She has volunteered on many political campaigns including working with the local Coordinated Campaign office during past election cycles. She enjoys the outdoors through various activities and will work to maintain and advance infrastructure through clean and sustainable efforts.
Melissa Armijo, Public Education Commission, District 1
Melissa Armijo is running for District 1 of the Public Education Commission, the New Mexico commission that authorizes all state-chartered charter schools in New Mexico. Armijo is a lifelong resident of the South Valley of Albuquerque who has spent her professional and volunteer career dedicated to the education of New Mexicans. She believes that charter schools offer an important viable option for students who may not fit into traditional school models. Armijo also recognizes the importance of holding charter schools accountable to delivering high standards of education and financial transparency.
Rep. Deborah Armstrong, NM House of Representatives, District 17
Debbie was first elected a State Representative in 2014 and Chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee. She is a small business owner providing association and non-profit management services and currently serves as the Executive Director for the NM Medical Insurance Pool, a legislatively created non-profit health insurance program offering subsidized coverage to NM residents who have high-risk health conditions or who cannot obtain other coverage. For more than 35 years, Debbie was a practicing physical therapist who developed a passion for home and community-based services and patient autonomy in decision-making. This prompted her to increasingly focus her work in healthcare administration, to attend law school to further her interests in health policy and advocacy and to eventually accept an appointment as Cabinet Secretary for the NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department. She is a proud grandmother and mother of three, the oldest of whom is also an Emergista!
Clerk Amanda López Askin, Doña Ana County Clerk
Amanda López Askin has served Doña Ana County as Clerk since September of 2018 when the Board of County Commissioners chose her to lead the Clerk’s Office out of a pool of fourteen candidates. Once in the position, she successfully administered three elections and fought to see the office fully-staffed.
Justice Shannon Bacon, Justice of the Supreme Court Position 1
Justice Shannon Bacon serves on the New Mexico Supreme Court. Shannon has dedicated her career to working for New Mexican families, spending nearly the past decade in public service as a District Court Judge at the Second Judicial District. Shannon was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham after being recommended by a nonpartisan Judicial Nominating Commission. She must now run in the 2020 Election to keep her seat on the NM Supreme Court. Shannon grew up in Albuquerque’s North Valley. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in History and her law degree at Creighton University. Upon completion of her education, Shannon returned to Albuquerque, and has dedicated her career to helping New Mexico families and businesses. Shannon and her family are avid balloonists who have participated in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta for over 40 years. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, hiking, cycling, gardening and reading.
Emerge New Mexico is working harder than ever to train Democratic women all across the state to run and win for office. We have come this far because of your efforts and generosity -- but our fight is not finished.
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Empowering Democratic women to run - and win!
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