NM House District 13: Guest Blog by Dem Challenger Eleanor Chávez

This is a guest blog by progressive Democrat Eleanor Chávez, who's challenging long-time Dem incumbent Dan Silva in NM House District 13. Her campaign has been endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1564 of New Mexico, as well as the New Mexico Federation of Labor. As I've said before, if we want to change how business is done at the New Mexico Legislature, we need to support candidates willing to take on the status quo.

Whether or not you live in District 13, consider attending the "Progressives for Eleanor Chávez" happy hour at Scalo, 3500 Central Ave SE in Nob Hill. It will take place on Friday, April 11th, from 5:30-7:00 PM. Suggested donation $50.00 but any amount is welcome.

Dear Friends,
In early February several colleagues in the social justice and labor community urged me to consider a run for the State House of Representatives, District 13. After much thought and discussion with my family, I've decided to accept the challenge.

Since the early 70's I have worked to make the world we live in a better place. While attending the University of Washington I worked with student farm worker boycott committees, worked to ensure that Chicano programs were not dismantled, and worked against funding cuts of childcare services to low income student parents.

For over 20 years I have been a member the SouthWest Organizing Project, one of the strongest grassroots organizations in the state. With other SWOP members I participated in voter registration drives, community surveys, and campaigns to educate our communities about the impact of toxic dumping. I served on the board of SWOP for many years and remain an active member.

I am currently the director for the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees District 1199NM. We represent health care workers in Las Vegas, Taos, Los Alamos, Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. In our recent contract negotiations at University of New Mexico Hospital we were successful in a living wage campaign where no worker will receive less than $1.00 per hour wage increase! Good paying jobs with benefits are essential to our ability to raise our families and we all know the right of workers to organize and negotiate over wages, benefits and working conditions must be protected.

As the health care crisis deepens I believe systemic reform is the only answer. Since the early 90's I have worked with other activists to pass legislation that would ensure all New Mexicans have health insurance. For over three years I have chaired the Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign, a coalition of 135 organizations dedicated to the passage of the Health Security Act. 

The time has come for me to offer my services as House Representative from District 13. Growing up in New Mexico I learned early that justice is something that we have to struggle for and work towards.  I want to bring a voice for working people to the Roundhouse. My opponent is a 20 year incumbent who has sold out to polluters, developers and insurance industry lobbyists. This Democratic primary race is one of the hottest in the state and the winner will face no opposition in the general election.

In order to win, we are building a strong, aggressive, grassroots campaign. We have gathered enough nominating petition signatures to secure a place on the ballot for the June 3rd primary. We have also secured the number one slot on the ballot for the District 13 race. We have built a solid campaign team and we have designed a plan to win. But we need your help to ensure a victory on June 3rd. We will need thousands of fliers, 100s of yard signs and many hours of walking to knock on doors and talk about the issues with our neighbors.

I am humbly asking those, like you, who share my commitment to justice to support my campaign now.  In order to get this campaign off to a running start we need to raise $50,000 in the next two months—half of that by early April. That's a big task but we can do it if people like you pledge your support. 

Your gift of $25, $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000 will help me raise the vital "early seed money" I need to successfully launch this campaign.

You can make donations on-line on my page on Act Blue or you can mail checks to the Eleanor Chávez for District 13 Campaign, to 1307 Del Maestro SW Albuquerque, New Mexico  87121. If you would like to volunteer I can be reached at eleanorchavez@gmail.com; or call the campaign at 967-1337.

Thank you very much in advance for your generous support!

Sincerely,
Eleanor Chávez
https://eleanorchavez.blogspot.com/

This is a guest blog by Eleanor Chávez. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, please contact me by clicking on the Email Me button on the upper left-hand corner of the page.