Veteran lawmaker faces off against Republican challenger
Veteran Senator Pete Campos faces Republican challenger Melissa Fryzel to represent District 6 at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe. The district encompasses eastern New Mexico including Angel Fire and Eagle Nest and represents some 48,000 constituents.
Following are brief bios for each candidate.
Pete Campos
PARTY: Democrat
OCCUPATION: Retired educator EDUCATION: Doctor of education POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: New Mexico state senator since 1991, former Santa Rosa mayor
CHARGED WITH A CRIME/FELONY? No
ON THE ISSUES:
ECONOMY: Small businesses need help. Sponsored a bill that increased amount of severance tax funds for small businesses. Cautious about legalizing marijuana. EDUCATION: Proponent of early childhood education and increasing funding for programs.
ABORTION: Pro-life. One of eight Democrats who voted in favor of keeping a New Mexico law that makes performing an abortion a crime.
FIREARMS: Campos is a gun owner but believes in some regulation to protect communities. Voted for a bill allowing for the temporary removal of firearms from people deemed a danger to themselves or others by a court.
Melissa Fryzel
PARTY: Republican
OCCUPATION: Data director and business analyst
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Legislative analyst, grassroots coordinator, secretary of Republican Party of New Mexico State Central Committee
CHARGED WITH A CRIME/FELONY: ON THE ISSUES:
No
ECONOMY: Promote small businesses, attract film industry, create opportunity zones, promote oil and gas industry. ENERGY: Opposes Green New Deal and supports continued promotion of oil and gas.
ENVIRONMENT: Believes climate change needs to be addressed but not at expense of New Mexico economy. Opposes drainage of Ute Lake. Opposes accepting nuclear waste into New Mexico.
ABORTION: Pro-life
FIREARMS: Supports Second Amendment; does not mention gun regulation in platform.