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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Caucuses/Former Committees

Former Chair, Conservation Committee, New Mexico State Senate

Former Chair, Water & Natural Resources Committee, New Mexico State Senate

Board Member, Mesilla Valley Economic Alliance, 1999-2001

Education

  • JD, Law, University of New Mexico School of Law, 1988-1991
  • MA, Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 1983-1985
  • BA, Architecture, University of New Mexico, 1979-1983

Professional Experience

  • JD, Law, University of New Mexico School of Law, 1988-1991
  • MA, Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 1983-1985
  • BA, Architecture, University of New Mexico, 1979-1983
  • Attorney Principal, Cervantes Law Firm, 1995-present
  • Attorney, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl and Sisk Law Firm, 1991-1996
  • Architect, Cervantes and Associates, 1987-1989
  • Architect, Nagel and Associates, 1985-1987

Political Experience

  • JD, Law, University of New Mexico School of Law, 1988-1991
  • MA, Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 1983-1985
  • BA, Architecture, University of New Mexico, 1979-1983
  • Attorney Principal, Cervantes Law Firm, 1995-present
  • Attorney, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl and Sisk Law Firm, 1991-1996
  • Architect, Cervantes and Associates, 1987-1989
  • Architect, Nagel and Associates, 1985-1987
  • Senator, New Mexico State Senate, 2001-present
  • Candidate, New Mexico State Senate, District 31, 2020
  • Candidate, New Mexico State Governor, 2018
  • County Commissioner, Dona Ana County, 1999-2001
  • State Treasurer, New Mexico Democratic Party, 1994-1996

Former Committees/Caucuses

Board Member, Mesilla Valley Economic Alliance, 1999-2001

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Committees'

Member, Conservation

Co-Chair, Courts, Corrections & Justice Committee

Chair, Judiciary

Member, New Mexico Finance Authority Oversight

Vice Chair, Water & Natural Resources

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • JD, Law, University of New Mexico School of Law, 1988-1991
  • MA, Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 1983-1985
  • BA, Architecture, University of New Mexico, 1979-1983
  • Attorney Principal, Cervantes Law Firm, 1995-present
  • Attorney, Modrall, Sperling, Roehl and Sisk Law Firm, 1991-1996
  • Architect, Cervantes and Associates, 1987-1989
  • Architect, Nagel and Associates, 1985-1987
  • Senator, New Mexico State Senate, 2001-present
  • Candidate, New Mexico State Senate, District 31, 2020
  • Candidate, New Mexico State Governor, 2018
  • County Commissioner, Dona Ana County, 1999-2001
  • State Treasurer, New Mexico Democratic Party, 1994-1996
  • Member, New Mexico State Bar
  • Member, American Bar Association, 1991-2004
  • Director, Leadership New Mexico, 2000-2004
  • Board of Directors, New Mexico First, 2000-2004
  • Member, American Inn of Courts, 1993-2002

Other Info

— Awards:

  • W.S. Dixon First Amendment Freedom Award recipient Foundation for Open Govt.
  • Spirit of Bipartisanship Award, New Mexico First
  • Roundhouse Hero, Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce

Favorite Musician:

Bruce Springsteen, U2, Eagles

Hobbies or Special Talents:

Architecture, fishing and camping, travel, art & photography, landscaping, & skiing.

Spouse's Occupation:

Jennifer is an award winning author, and an assistant dean at New Mexico State University.

Policy Positions

New Mexico State Legislative Election 2012 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?
- No

3. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

4. Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?
- No Answer

6. Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?
- No Answer

7. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?
- No Answer

8. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

9. Other or expanded principles
- Regarding parental notification issue my position depends on the specifics of the proposed legislation, age of minor, and constitutional safeguards.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

State Spending:

Using the key, indicate what state funding levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

1. Education (higher)
- Slightly Increase

2. Education (K-12)
- Slightly Increase

3. Environment
- Maintain Status

4. Health care
- Maintain Status

5. Law enforcement/corrections
- Maintain Status

6. Transportation/infrastructure
- Slightly Increase

7. Welfare
- Maintain Status

8. Other or expanded categories
- No Answer

State Taxes:

Using the key,indicate what state tax levels (#1-6) you support for the following general categories. Select one level per category; you may use a number more than once.

1. Alcohol taxes
- Slightly Increase

2. Cigarette taxes
- Slightly Increase

3. Corporate taxes
- Maintain Status

4. Gas/Oil taxes
- Maintain Status

5. Property taxes
- Maintain Status

6. Sales taxes
- Maintain Status

7. Income taxes (low-income families)
- Maintain Status

8. Income taxes (mid-income families)
- Maintain Status

9. Income taxes (high-income families)
- Slightly Increase

10. Other or expanded categories
- No Answer

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which of the proposals below you support (if any) for balancing New Mexico's budget by marking (Y) or No (N).

1. Tapping into New Mexico's "rainy day" fund
- Yes

2. Increasing tuition rates at public universities
- No

3. Reducing or eliminating public worker collective bargaining
- No

4. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions
- No

5. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees
- No

6. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients
- No

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

1. Individual
- Yes

2. Political Action Committee
- Yes

3. Corporate
- Yes

4. Political Party
- Yes

5. Should candidates for state office be encouraged to meet voluntary spending limits?
- No Answer

6. Should former legislators be banned from lobbying for the first year after leaving office?
- Yes

7. Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
- Yes

8. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- No

9. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

Do you support limits on the following types of contributions for state candidates?

1. Other or expanded principles
- I am unclear what encouraging voluntary spending limits would mean or accomplish. I can not answer. given the ambiguities

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- Yes

2. Do you support alternatives to incarceration for certain non-violent offenders, such as mandatory counseling or substance abuse treatment?
- Yes

3. Do you support decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing penalties for repeat drunk drivers?
- Yes

5. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- Yes

6. Should a minor who sends sexually-explicit or nude photos by cell phone face criminal charges?
- No

7. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

8. Do you support requiring proof of United States residency in order to obtain a New Mexico driver's license?
- Yes

9. Other or expanded principles
- (f) depends on the manner photos were taken and purpose in sending(h) proof of residency or other criteria established by legislature

Economic

1. Do you support reducing government regulations on the private sector?
- No

2. Do you support increased state funding for job-training programs that re-train displaced workers?
- Yes

3. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

4. Do you support providing financial incentives to the private sector for the purpose of job creation?
- Yes

5. Do you support increased spending on infrastructure projects for the purpose of job creation?
- Yes

6. Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?
- No Answer

7. Other or expanded principles
- [f) Do you support providing direct financial assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure?] Candidate wrote ".." in the "Yes" column (f) My position would depend on the type of financial assistance offered.

Education

1. Do you support the national Common Core State Standards initiative?
- No

2. Do you support a merit pay system for teachers?
- No Answer

3. Is the tenure process for public school teachers producing effective teachers?
- Yes

4. Should parents be allowed to use vouchers to send their children to any school?
- No

5. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No Answer

6. Do you support the state government providing college students with financial aid?
- Yes

7. Should illegal immigrants who graduate from New Mexico high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- (b) This depends on the system criteria.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of alternative energy?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for the development of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, oil)?
- Yes

3. Do you support state funding for improvements to New Mexico's energy infrastructure?
- Yes

4. Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
- Yes

5. Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
- No Answer

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- No Answer

3. Should citizens be allowed to carry concealed guns?
- Yes

4. Should a license be required for gun possession?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- (a) depends on weapons: Circumstances. I support concealed carry restrictions now in place. There are already restrictions on purchase, + possession. I support existing. Not enhanced

Health

1. Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?
- Yes

2. Do you support expanding access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
- Yes

3. Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

5. Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
- Yes

6. Do you support allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- e) I support increase to existing limits

Social

1. Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
- No

2. Should same-sex couples be allowed to form civil unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in New Mexico's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

4. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in New Mexico's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, on an attached page, or via e-mail, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- Reform of public education including revisions to school calendar, and learning methods. Reevaluation and elimination of non-productive tax credits and incentives to select businesses. Adoption of comprehensive water management, conservation and adjudication policies.

State Bills
Endorsements
LEAP Forward