Contested Candidates for New Mexico Governor Jay C. Block Jay retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2016 from Kirtland AFB, NM. He fell in love with New Mexico and decided to stay in Rio Rancho. Due to his vast experience working in the Air Force nuclear enterprise, Jay started a second career as a nuclear weapons consultant leading teams and conducting business development in private industry. Jay decided to continue to serve his community after his military service by running for Sandoval County Commissioner in 2016. Jay was the first Republican to win his district’s seat on the Sandoval County Commission and he was re-elected in 2020. On the Commission, Jay focused on economic development, illegal dumping, ethics, passed a 2nd Amendment sanctuary county resolution, sponsored and passed a 30x30 resolution to overturn the Governor’s executive order, sponsored and passed the first-ever Right to Work ordinance at the county level, and focused on public safety that has led to huge crime reductions in all crime categories for Sandoval County. He is also the first Commissioner in the history of the county to receive union endorsements from both the Firefighters and Sheriff’s Deputies. 1. Do you believe that agriculture is part of the economic engine of New Mexico? Agriculture, farming and ranching has been a huge part of our economic engine and it will be even bigger during my administration. But our agriculture industry is also part of our history, and it still is to this day, from the huge dairy farms, to the cattle industry, to the Alpaca farms to the Orchards, Pecan farms and Hatch Green Chile. Agriculture is also part of our culture where generations of family have taken great care of the land, passing it down from generation to generation. That needs to continue. 2. How will you interact with the agricultural community as Governor? Agricultural lands need to remain strong, stable and sustainable, our farmers and ranchers know what it is that they need to meet those things, as governor I will work with farmers and ranchers to take a close look at regulations that are unnecessary and burdensome. Low interest loans should always be available to the agricultural community since New Mexico offers huge incentives for big business to move here, our agricultural community deserves no less. 3. How will you deal with the federal Executive Order mandating 30 percent of the land and water must be protected by 2030? I have already sponsored and passed a resolution to overturn that ridiculous executive order. As Governor I will repeal within the first seven minutes Grisham’s executive order returning all authority regarding 30x30 to the local governments. Those closest to the land are the ones most qualified to determine its usage, not big government. Bottom line, we must protect our large and small ranchers/farmers and water rights. 4. As governor, what actions will you take to protect New Mexico ranchers and their families from the federal Mexican wolves?
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There is a place for the wolf in the New Mexico Wilderness, but I do not believe regulations in favor of the wolf outweigh the damage a wolf can do to a family’s livestock. Let’s make sure we are not serving one side or the other the right to destroy. In other words, there are ways to protect livestock, there are ways to protect the wolf and I will work with the ranchers and the farmers dealing with this issue to hear their solutions. Additionally, the same can be said for too many elk, deer, and antelope on ranch lands that are eating the grass depriving cattle and destroying orchards. The landowner who values the land and works the land everyday are the ones with the solutions and the government should work more with landowners to find balanced solutions because right now, the government is not favoring the ranchers and farmers. The closer you are to the land the more you are aware of the needs. 5. What will you do to ensure that land and water are available for agricultural protection into the future? We must invest in water infrastructure, like desalination plants that clean brackish water, sulfur water, and update the waste sewage treatment plants. I was a base commander who ran a desalination plant and the technology is available now. We must also protect water rights which is why 30x30 is so dangerous to the agriculture community. Lastly, we will look at how water regulations are affecting ranchers and farmers and I will work with the industry to remove unnecessary hurdles.
Rebecca Dow Rebecca has represented District 38 in the New Mexico House since 2017. During that time, she has passionately defended New Mexico jobs, fought to defeat overregulation of industries like mining that provide so much of the state’s income, and successfully challenged powerful opponents of our basic, inalienable rights, like the Right to Life and our Second Amendment rights. As a service to her community, Rebecca founded AppleTree Educational Center which provides much-needed educational services including early care and education, home visiting, college and career preparation, and comprehensive family support. AppleTree has been recognized with multiple awards for its excellence in education. Along with co-owning a technology company, Rebecca also provides consultation services to for-profit and community-based early childhood providers operating in the Rocky Mountain region. 1. Do you believe that agriculture is part of the economic engine of New Mexico? Agriculture is a $3 billion contributor to the NM economy at the farm and ranch gate, second only to oil and gas. Yet it is so much more. In many counties it is the number one economic driver. It is also responsible for our green space in many rural/urban centers and provides much of our state’s wildlife habitat. By supporting agricultural producers we assure New Mexicans have access to high quality affordable food. It is a sector of the economy that we can’t take for granted. 2. How will you interact with the agricultural community as Governor? I am from an agricultural community and currently represent Grant, Hidalgo, and Sierra and Counties. I will continue to interact with the agricultural communities as I have as a house representative. You can call me, email me, or ask for an in-person meeting at
