One thing I learned when I was first elected to the House of Representatives is that to conduct the business of the chamber, members take turns serving as the presiding officer.
We led by protecting the sacred right to vote with the For the People Act. When we were moving the For the People Act through the House, it was the first time that I presided over the chamber and sat in the Speaker’s chair. And making it even more special was the fact that it was the first time any Native American woman had presided over the chamber.
It was a moment that was filled with meaning for me, especially because John Lewis gave the closing argument on the bill.
I was standing in the Speaker’s chair and he was right in front of me explaining why everybody needs access to the ballot box – and you know, it is something I’ll never forget.
John Lewis spent his life fighting for something we take for granted now, which is that all Americans, regardless of the color of their skin, must be allowed the right to vote. John Lewis put his life on the line and was beaten by Alabama state troopers so that he and those who came after him would be seen equally in the eyes of the law and have equal voice at the ballot box.
So to see him defending voting rights so passionately 50 years later on the House floor as a United States Congressperson was not only inspiring – it gives us all the perspective we need to continue this fight, which is far from over.
Republicans just passed the SAVE Act in the House of Representatives – making it harder to vote and effectively rolling back the voting rights John Lewis fought so hard for.
I know one thing for certain: I’ll never stop fighting for the right to vote. And I hope that one day, when a young woman of color sees photos of me in the Speaker’s chair (or in the governor’s office) they’ll think “I can do that too.”
That’s part of why I’m in public service and running for governor. I want to leave the ladder down so that every voter can make their voice heard in our democracy and those who have been underrepresented have the same access to vote as everyone else. It’s about fairness and respect.
For too long, the system hasn’t worked for everyday people the way it should. As governor, I’ll tackle our biggest challenges head-on and fight to make life better for all the people of New Mexico.
Be fierce,
Deb
