Incumbent is son of former Gallup Mayor Ed Muñoz
State Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, seeks to occupy the District 4 seat once again. Muñoz isn’t alone in running for the seat, however, as challengers Felisha Adams and Jordon Johnson are in the race, too.
“I’m running for my third term because there’s still a lot of work to do,” Muñoz said. “We’ve accomplished many things over the past years, but there is still a lot to be done.”
Muñoz said his focus moving forward is to expand the local and statewide economies by investing in infrastructure projects like roads, highways, water systems, broadband Internet, job training, and education.
“I will continue to make education a priority by attracting the best teachers to our classrooms, supporting our community colleges and making higher education more accessible and affordable,” Muñoz said. He said New Mexico families are facing a near $1 billion state budget deficit. He explained that his background as a small business owner (property management, construction, and real estate) give him the tools to play a big part in turning things around.
“I have a proven track record of reaching across party lines to my friends in the Republican Party to find compromise and make progress on the issues that matter most to our families,” the Senator said.
Muñoz said he is once again an ideal candidate because over the years as a member of the state legislature he has developed relationships that make him an effective advocate for the constituents of District 4. Among the most significant issues facing District 4, Muñoz said, are jobs, education, the state budget, substance abuse, public safety, ethics, and immigration.
“Learning the ins and outs of state government isn’t something that you learn overnight,” Muñoz said. “Understanding how to be effective takes time. I am not afraid to stand up for what is right, even if the Santa Fe insiders disagree.”
Of tackling substance abuse, which is an ongoing problem in McKinley County, Muñoz — the son of a former Gallup mayor who led a walk to Santa Fe decades ago to highlight Gallup’s substance abuse problems — said, “Alcohol consumption and drug abuse are major problems for many of our families. We need to expand treatment facilities and work with local outreach programs to get those that need the most help the care that they require.”
Civically, Muñoz is a member of the board of directors at US Bank, as well as an active member with the Gallup Rotary Club, the Elks Club, the Junior High Rodeo (a former national director) and New Mexico Amigos.
New Mexico’s primary is June 7. The general election is Nov. 4.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
