Equality New Mexico (EQNM) is preparing to announce its official endorsements for the 2024 elections. The organization emphasizes a thorough vetting process to ensure candidates support inclusive values and policies that impact the LGBTQ community.
Marshall Martinez, EQNM’s Executive Director, stated, “Members of the LGBTQ Community across New Mexico and our allies rely on us to inform them about elections and candidates and how they can be part of our fight for liberation.” He added, “We conduct a thorough, community-based process that honors and incorporates the realities of queer and trans people everywhere. They need nondiscrimination policies, but they also need access to healthcare, a more just criminal system, and better education. Our lives are multi-issue as queer and trans people, and our candidate endorsements must consider multi-issue frameworks.”
The endorsement process at EQNM involves collaboration with other progressive advocacy organizations such as OLE, NM Native Vote, and Center for Civic Action. During election seasons, these groups work together to produce a comprehensive candidate questionnaire covering topics like climate change, workers' rights, abortion access, and criminal justice.
Candidates receive this questionnaire after their filing date using information from the Secretary of State. Throughout the process, organizations reach out individually to confirm receipt and remind candidates of due dates. Candidates seeking endorsement complete the questionnaire through written responses.
Any candidate holding positions deemed harmful to coalition communities is disqualified. For instance, opposition to bodily autonomy or minimum wage increases could lead to disqualification due to negative impacts on gender-affirming care or low-income workers.
A review committee consisting of 12 members from various sectors across New Mexico evaluates candidate responses through individual interviews. Based on these evaluations, the committee makes recommendations to EQNM’s Board of Directors who make the final endorsement decisions.
For updates on 2024 candidate endorsements, EQNM encourages following their social media accounts and blog.