Fourth Republican woman announces run for Luján’s seat

FARMINGTON — Anastacia Golden Morper has announced her candidacy for the Congressional District 3 seat occupied by U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M.

Morper is running for the Republican Party nomination and has a few challengers — Audra Brown, Alexis Johnson and Karen Bedonie.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party has a crowded field of at least eight candidates vying for the nomination. Luján is not seeking reelection, opting instead to run for U.S. Senate after Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., announced he would not seek another term.

Morper is a real estate agent who lives near Angel Fire. She said she has worked in real estate virtually all her life, having assisted her father in his real estate business when she was a child. She also has more than 30 years of experience as a small business owner.

Her experience in real estate has included multimillion dollar negotiations on behalf of other people. She is licensed to practice real estate in four states and also serves as an ombudsman for the New Mexico Association of Realtors.

She was born and raised in New Mexico and attended Albuquerque Technical Vocational School and the University of New Mexico.

In addition to running businesses, she has a history of volunteer service, including volunteering at orphanages in Mexico, building houses in Juarez, helping at hospitals, volunteering as an emergency medical technician and working with abused children.

This is her first time running for a office. She said her ascent into politics was driven by the state’s struggles compared to surrounding states.

“I’ve seen my state falling further and further below mediocrity and I’m not okay with it,” she said.

She highlighted several lists including New Mexico ranking 49th in public safety and education, 47th in economy and 48th in opportunity.

Morper said her children had to move out of state to find jobs.

Morper said she would help New Mexico by reducing regulations and decreasing tax burdens. She also said it is important to help the farming and ranching industry as well as the oil and gas industries.