8/25: Campaign Kickoff for Democrat Tara Lujan for Santa Fe County Clerk

Yesterday, Democrat Tara Lujan released a statement announcing her candidacy for Santa Fe County Clerk and invited area residents to join her in a campaign kick-off event open to the public on Thursday, August 25th, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Zocalo Condominium’s Club House, 1301 Avenida Rincon in Santa Fe (click for flyer with more information).

“The challenges our voters face require a candidate and clerk who is committed to public participation and innovation. Santa Fe is my home. I want our citizen’s votes to be counted, and I want them to know that their rights are protected," said Lujan. "This will be my responsibility and service to the public.” 

With those words Tara Lujan, a Santa Fe native expressed a major reason why she decided to run for Santa Fe County Clerk. She also said she would “focus on three priorities: accountability, accessibility and transparency.” 

Lujan went on, “The most compelling reasons I have for wanting to be Santa Fe County Clerk are to see to it that every voter’s rights are protected and every voter has access to getting their vote counted. I want to make sure the county clerk’s office offers the best public service to the community, making smooth transactions via current technology and keeping an open door policy.” 

“For the past few months I have been meeting with voters and potential voters of Santa Fe County expressing my desire to be their next County Clerk. This has been a rewarding and informative experience for me," Lujan said.

“It has been a two way street, explaining the issues I believe are important in this coming election year and listening to the ideas of the people of Santa Fe County,” Lujan said, describing what it’s been like on the campaign trail as a potential candidate. 

“For many years I have been a loyal campaign worker striving to elect folks that I thought were the best candidates running for office … some won and some lost,” Lujan continued. “But this past year I had folks asking me why I have not stepped forward to run for office myself. 

“I am passionate about people being involved. I have always thought that if you want to change the world or something in it, don’t wait for someone else, get in there and work for the change yourself and ally yourself with people who are working to make this a better world. As most of America, Santa Fe County needs to get more people involved with the determination of their future and their children’s future."

As a native of Santa Fe, Tara was involved in community service at a young age. The sisters of Cristo Rey and St. Catherine’s, where Lujan attended elementary and high school, kept students active in community services like helping the homeless, cleaning up neighborhoods, and visiting the elderly. 

Tara took it upon herself to get her peers involved in letter writing to legislators and educating others about social injustices. Lujan adds, “Our vote is our voice, my grandparents instilled the value of voting by making sure to take me to the polls at a tender age.” “My grandma always told me, if you don’t vote you can’t complain.” 

“Therefore, as a concerned mother and an activist for fairness and inclusion I have decided that it’s time for me to turn words into action … I look forward to meeting many more Santa Fe County residents between now and next year’s elections. I will be holding a campaign kick-off gathering later this week and I encourage everyone to meet with me, my family and my campaign … we look forward to your questions and comments,” concluded Lujan. 

Tara Lujan's campaign also provided this background information about the candidate:

Tara is a Santa Fe Daughter. She grew up in a working class family in Santa Fe. 

Her mother Elizabeth, “Dolly” Lujan has served the community as a RN at St. Vincent’s Hospital for 44yrs, and her father Toby Lujan, served alongside her as a surgical technician for 35 yrs. 

After graduating from St. Catherine’s Catholic High School Tara went on to graduate from UNM. She was involved in politics and educating voters before she was able to vote. 

Tara has always advocated for fair and equal voting regulations that don’t disenfranchise the voter and which that make voting easy and accessible. 

She serves as the chair of the Voter Registration Committee for the Democratic Party, and helped set up a vote by mail campaign for the State Democratic Candidates during the 2010 elections. 

Tara was appointed by the Mayor to serve on the Ethics Committee for the City Santa Fe. She sits on the budget committee for the State Democratic Party, and is a volunteer for the non-profit organization Many Mothers. 

Tara’s son is a 5th grader in the Santa Fe Public Schools. Tara has volunteered in his class with Spanish reading programs and serves on the parent committee for Special Education. 

For further information contact: 

Email: taralujan4countyclerk@gmail.com 

Or Call: (505) 350-8069