New Mexico welcomes fresh faces as legislature gains new members

With a significant number of state representatives and senators retiring this year, New Mexico anticipated many new faces in the Legislature for 2025. The recent election cycle has confirmed these expectations with unofficial results indicating that 28 new legislators will be joining the state's political landscape.

The Senate, comprising 42 members, will welcome 15 new legislators: nine Republicans and six Democrats. Among them are four former House policymakers transitioning to the Senate. Meanwhile, the House, with its 70-member composition, will see 13 new members: seven Republicans and six Democrats.

Notably, three returning ex-legislators are among the newcomers: Republican Gabriel Ramos and Democrat Linda Trujillo in the Senate, along with Republican Rebecca Dow in the House.

The election resulted in Republicans gaining some seats, adjusting the Democratic majority to a margin of 26-16 in the Senate and 44-26 in the House.

Newly elected senators include:

- District 2: Steve Lanier (R-Aztec)

- District 9: Cindy Nava (D-Bernalillo)

- District 12: Jay Block (R-Rio Rancho)

- District 13: Debbie O’Malley (D-Albuquerque)

- District 15: Heather Berghmans (D-Albuquerque)

- District 18: Natalie Figueroa (D-Albuquerque)

- District 19: Ant Thornton (R-Sandia Park)

- District 21: Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque)

- District 24: Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe)

- District 27: Patrick Henry Boone IV (R-Elida)