By Rep. Christine Chandler
Democrat
House Dist. 43

Editor’s note: Rep. Christine Chandler is running unopposed for re-election to her House Seat in Dist. 43, which includes Los Alamos, Santa Fe & Sandoval counties. Below Chandler shares remarks she delivered at Monday night’s political forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Los Alamos.

Many thanks to the league for hosting this candidates forum.

First what an honor and pleasure it is to serve you. I feel very lucky to know so many engaged and thoughtful constituents and to serve in a legislature where my colleagues work collaboratively with each other and our Governor. While we do have disagreements, our productivity has been extraordinary – particularly when compared with the previous 10 years where gridlock was the norm, where education, healthcare, behavioral health and infrastructure needs were at best ignored and at worst actively dismantled.

While many good things have been happening in New Mexico and while I am very optimistic about our future, that optimism is tempered by the continuing pressure from political figures, pundits, and activists both here and nationally that espouse the big lies that our elections are corrupt, that the attack on our capitol and law enforcement was a media exaggeration, that school curricula are brainwashing our children. Many now believe book banning is acceptable – and our rights to privacy and bodily autonomy are being routinely challenged.

Maybe you wonder why I am focused on these “national issues” in a “local” race – well that’s the crux – these are not only national issues. We have state and local candidates who hold these views, some boldly, and some who, in strongly blue New Mexico, seek to downplay their convictions. We live in a state where many sheriffs and other officials feel emboldened to declare which laws they will enforce and which they won’t. These activities are not harmless. They reflect a lack of respect for law and for accepted social norms. These efforts at the local level are extensions of organized national movements. We should all be concerned that behavior that was once considered abhorrent is now becoming normalized.

So what do we do about this dangerous trend? First it is important for us to know our candidates and reject those who either refuse to answer questions or obfuscate. Be leery of those who say their views on the presidential election or the insurrection are irrelevant to running for local office. Of course they’re fair questions – they reveal the person’s respect for law and for decency and their proclivity to latch on to conspiracy theories.

Ask direct questions about their views – are our elections fair and secure? Ask them their views on facilitating access to voting – do they support having ballot drop boxes and mail-in ballots? Do they support access to abortion care?

Now – more than ever – is the time to be an active and engaged voter.