NEW MEXICO HOUSE DISTRICT 47
1. How have your prior experience and education prepared you for this position?
For nearly 20 years I have worked in public policy in our state – first as an advocate for public health and drug policy reform, then as leader of an organization that trains Democratic women to run for office, and most recently, as the Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House. I am also the daughter of immigrants from India. I grew up in a working-class family, and I worked hard to complete my education at Brown University in community health. I am a mother, a sister, and a wife. My work in the legislature has contributed to major victories for working families, our environment, women, and children. I know how to get things done in the Roundhouse for Santa Fe, and I will work hard and engage our community in the process.
2. What three important issues would you plan to work on?
Voters have already spoken with me about so many issues. I am ready to help. 1) Our community needs access to affordable healthcare with shorter wait times for appointments, including behavioral healthcare. Santa Fe families shouldn’t have to wait a year for a specialist, or wait months for primary care. 2) We must address climate change, and New Mexico has a unique opportunity to be a national leader on this. The fires raging across our state right now serve as a grim reminder of the risks we are facing as a community and as a planet. 3) We must continue to grow and diversify our economy, to ensure that our families have the opportunity for great jobs with a career path upwards and that NM has a solid financial future.
3. How can the legislature balance the needs of farmers and ranchers with the priorities of cities and towns?
It’s important for legislators to travel the state and ask communities about their needs, while also looking for common ground. I’m lucky to have crisscrossed our state for almost 2 decades, and I see that we have so much more in common with each other than we may realize. For example, we can look for opportunities to build infrastructure that will address each community’s needs, and avoid a onesize-fits-all approach. There are communities across the state and even in our own District 47 that are struggling with access to clean water, broadband, and electricity. We can work on that, while we also address the need for community resources, affordable housing and green space within the city of Santa Fe. Listening and learning are the keys.
4. What can be done to support the aging population, i.e., elderly housing, elder care, transportation?
This is such an important issue for Santa
Fe – family is important to us, especially our aging parents and relatives. We need to boost the healthcare workforce so that seniors can access the best quality healthcare and receive timely care. We also need to address the rising costs of housing. Seniors need affordable options for living in our community with the care they need, so they can remain near their loved ones and maintain their quality of life. The costs of in-home care and assistance are also rising, so we need to make sure caregivers have the best training and are affordable for seniors and their families. Meals, transportation, and companionship/community are also critical for senior wellness.