Ortez, Miera debate in House District 42 forum
The two candidates for New Mexico House District 42, which encompasses almost all of Taos County, answered questions from the Taos County Democratic Party during an online public forum Monday night (April 11).
Incumbent Kristina Ortez and newcomer Florence Miera fielded questions from Taos County Democratic Party Chairman Darien Fernandez, who asked both women how the district can best move forward in a positive way.
In her opening statement, Ortez said it is important to protect the idea of “querencia” — Spanish for a home, community and favorite place. She said it is important to address housing needs, among other issues, and recognized the “once in a lifetime funds” available through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. “Taos County needs good jobs and affordable housing ... this is what makes a community,” she said.
Miera described her 20-plus years of service in the Taos community. As a social worker and homeless liaison for Taos Municipal Schools, she said she understands what the local community needs. “I think it’s important to have a local person, born and raised in Taos,” she said. “We need to help families survive and thrive.”
Miera noted when federal CARES Act money first came in, she was part of the group that helped get those in need into
houses and hotels. She also agreed with Ortez regarding the importance of the ARPA funds and what they can do for the community.
Both candidates were asked about various endorsements and sources of campaign funding. Ortez told viewers she has been supported by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, the Sierra Club, the Conservation Corps of New Mexico and U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich.
Miera said most of her campaign’s financial help came from personal friends and family, with several behavioral health organizations and community individuals supporting her, some of whom she said work in the oil and natural gas industry.
“One of the organizations that I
have considered is oil and gas,” she said. ‘My family works with oil and gas. My family still struggles, but oil and gas helps. To be fair, they do give to education and behavioral health.”
Ortez said it was time to move on from the oil and gas industry.
“I am not accepting any money from oil and gas,” she said. “I made a pledge. We need to invest in renewable energy.”
At the same time, she acknowledged that diversifying away from fossil fuels will be “a challenge for our economy, but we have to do it.” Ortez said she doesn’t want to paint oil and gas as the enemy, but added that “we don’t have a lot of time left.”
Miera agreed the energy sector needs diversification, but said it would not be beneficial to cut off oil and gas immediately. “Lets figure out how to do it transition one step at a time,” she said. “Look at our world, we kind of do need oil and gas right now. Education is the key, and transitioning slowly.”
When asked about affordable housing, Ortez said she has worked on legislation that would help tenants “really navigate the system.” She noted she worked closely with the sponsors of an affordable housing bill, but said it unfortunately didn’t make its way through the Senate.
Miera acknowledged housing was a complicated issue. “There’s so much,” she said. Working with the 100% Community initiative and UNM–Taos, Miera said she hopes to solve the housing crisis.
Both candidates agreed they wanted to limit gun access in some ways, while both acknowledged they respect the Second Amendment. They both said they wanted to see responsible gun legislation come to New Mexico.
Overall, the two women had many similar ideological campaign goals. When the candidates were given a chance to ask questions of each other at the end of the discussion, Miera asked Ortez how she would support local acequias. “A lot of elderly people are in the ditches and frustrated. What can you do to help them on the ground?” she asked.
Ortez responded she has done quite a bit of work in the Legislature to invest in acequias, noting that it has been a “very big year” for acequias and land grants. “In my capital outlay, I gave money to various acequias all around the district,” she said. “We need to invest in the infrastructure itself. It’s critical we protect our water resources and heritage.”
Ortez then asked Miera what she would do to tackle climate change, given that she said she was accepting campaign contributions from the fossil fuel industry.
“The environment hasn’t always been the issue, because we are just barely surviving,” Miera responded, referencing local food insecurity, housing and COVID. “With all these issues, I don’t think I always focused on that. Let’s become one and let’s do it together.”
Afterwards, Fernandez said, “It is hard to see the difference in policy and position between the two of you. Why should we vote for one of you over the other?”
After prompting, Ortez asked Miera what her motivation was to run at this time. Miera said she “couldn’t afford not to run,” because “people are struggling right now. That’s what made me decide. I can make a difference in my community, so here I am, trying to make a difference.”
Miera asked Ortez how she would deal with trauma induced in the community by the current “tri-cultural” state of the county.
“There’s no question in my mind that the years of oppression and colonialism have had an impact on the people,” Ortez replied. “We have a very complicated history, and have to address it. It takes time, and an investment of resources, and we must do that.”