SANTA FE – With New Mexico’s June 7 primary now over, officials at Conservation Voters New Mexico lauded a couple area winners in the House of Representatives and Senate.
“The 2016 primary election shows that having a strong conservation record pays off for candidates in New Mexico. This is evident in the case of conservation champions like Benny Shendo and D. Wonda Johnson, both of whom are in office,” Ben Shelton, CVNM legislative and political director, said. “CVNM is excited to support and to invest in political candidates who will work to bring resiliency and sustainability to their communities.”
Shendo, of Jemez Pueblo, is an attorney representing District 22 of the New Mexico Senate. He defeated former State Representative Sandra Jeff of Crownpoint, and Johnson beat Gallup school board member Kevin Mitchell of Tohatchi. Each is a Democrat.
Liliana Castillo, communications director for CVNM, noted that the organization backs political candidates who support the betterment of New Mexico’s land, air, and water quality.
Castillo said 11 out of 12 candidates endorsed by CVNM were successful in their respective races. She noted that CVNM endorses candidates based on their conservation records and responses to a questionnaire on topics about environmental health and justice, quality of life, energy, water, land use, transportation, wildlife, and wilderness.
By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent
