Journal endorsements in Metro-area House races

Journal endorsements continue with the first in a series for contested Albuquerque-area state House of Representative races. For coverage and candidates’ answers to questions, go to ABQJournal.com, click on Voter Guide.

HOUSE DISTRICT 15: Brad Winter

Republican Brad Winter’s broad experience would make him a valuable asset in Santa Fe. Winter is a retired educator who has taught at both the community college and high school level and served in various administrative capacities including as a principal and interim superintendent of the Albuquerque Public Schools District. He’s been an Albuquerque City councilor for 19 years. And he’s served a oneyear stint as interim secretary of state. As a city councilor, he’s proven to be a moderate voice, reaching across the aisle to get things done. He hasn’t been afraid to stand up to the majority when he disagrees, as with his vote against a gross receipts tax increase earlier this year. The Journal endorses Brad Winter for House District 15, which includes part of the Northeast Heights and a patch of the North Valley.

HOUSE DISTRICT 17: Deborah Armstrong

In politics, like in life, showing up is half the battle. Unfortunately, Republican Ray Gallegos hasn’t bothered to respond to questionnaires from the Journal and the League of Women Voters. While we haven’t always agreed with Deborah Armstrong, the Democratic incumbent who has held this House seat for two terms shows up for her constituents. Armstrong is owner of Delta Consulting, which helps run the state’s high-risk insurance pool, and chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. She realizes hard decisions are needed to ensure the future solvency of the state’s two public retirement systems. And she supports opening primary elections to voters not affiliated with a major political party. The Journal recommends Deborah Armstrong for House District 17, which includes the mid-North Valley.

HOUSE DISTRICT 20: Jim Dines

Republican Jim Dines, a retired attorney, spent his career fighting for open government and accountability, and he’s done the same thing the last four years as a lawmaker, pushing for a state ethics commission. He’s asking voters to reelect him to the state House so he can finish that work. Dines — who received the Spirit of Bipartisanship Award from New Mexico First — is someone who walks the walk. He doesn’t take lobbyist or political action money and doesn’t accept free gifts or free meals. Dines has the ability to look at both sides of an issue and make a decision based on what’s best for his constituents. The Journal recommends Jim Dines for House District 20, which encompasses a swath of Albuquerque along Interstate 40.

HOUSE DISTRICT 22: Gregg William Schmedes

This East Mountains district, which includes Tijeras and Placitas, has traditionally been a Republican seat, and Gov. Susana Martinez appointed Republican Gregg Schmedes to it this year. Schmedes, a surgeon, would push to make New Mexico a right-to-work state and knows our outdated tax code needs reform. He opposes going into the Land Grant Permanent Fund to increase funding for early childhood services. He’s against raising the minimum wage and realizes our state pensions need to be modernized to make them solvent. However, the Journal disagrees with his position on police transparency, that police agencies should be allowed to keep secret initial police reports and videos of arrests and crime scenes. Such a policy would undermine the public’s trust in law enforcement. The Journal endorses Gregg Schmedes for House District 20 with the hope he evolves on this issue.

HOUSE DISTRICT 23: Daymon Ely

Democrat Daymon Ely, an attorney and former Sandoval County Commissioner, has pushed for more funding to address our out-of-control crime problem and even co-sponsored legislation this year that convened a criminal justice task force to come up with solutions. He’s a big proponent of using data analysis to zero in on repeat criminals. And he now favors allowing retired police officers to return to work in order to address the officer shortage. Ely has also worked hard to get a guardianship reform bill through the Legislature. And while we oppose his push to go into the Land Grand Permanent Fund for early childhood programs, Ely has represented his district well over the last two years. The Journal endorses Daymon Ely for House District 23, which encompasses Corrales and part of Albuquerque west of the Rio Grande.

HOUSE DISTRICT 24: Trey Stephen Morris

Republican Trey Morris, an Air Force reservist and military consultant, would bring a fresh perspective to the Legislature. He argues it’s time for a new generation of leaders to step up; he’s right. He favors a “living wage” and inflation adjustments as well as expanded early childhood education but is opposed to taking more money out of the Land Grant Permanent Fund. And he is pledging to work to overhaul the state’s gross receipts tax system and replace it with a modern tax system that doesn’t drive companies away. The Journal recommends Trey Morris for Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights House District 24.

HOUSE DISTRICT 25: Joan Antoinette Marentes

Republican Joan Antoinette Marentes is a former probation/parole officer and former crimes against children detective who believes in getting tough on criminals by limiting judges’ discretion in sentencing and doing away with the point system that helps determine whether defendants are released. And she opposes making New Mexico a sanctuary state. The Journal endorses Joan Antoinette Marentes for Northeast Albuquerque’s House District 25.