Catherine Cullen, a representative for New Mexico District 57, said that the passage of Senate Bill 70 (SB70) will equip law enforcement with essential tools to address violent criminal organizations in New Mexico. This announcement was made in a press release on March 21.
"Making our communities safer is a top priority of mine," said Cullen, New Mexico State Representative. "I am proud that we were able to work together to get this vital piece of legislation onto the Governor's desk. I am committed to furthering these efforts and working with whoever it takes to make our state a safer place for families to live and thrive in."
Senate Bill 70 seeks to amend New Mexico's Racketeering Act by incorporating several crimes into the definition of "racketeering." These include human trafficking, sexual exploitation of children, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact, dog fighting, cockfighting, and introducing contraband into places of imprisonment. The bill received unanimous approval from the Senate on March 6, 2025, with a vote of 38-0 and from the House of Representatives on March 21, 2025, with a vote of 60-0. It now awaits the Governor's signature to become law.
According to SafeHome, New Mexico has the highest violent crime rate in the United States, with 781 incidents per 100,000 people—more than double the national average—and ranks third for property crime due to high rates of burglary and auto theft. Gallup, a small city once favored for filming Westerns, currently has the state's highest violent crime rate, surpassing larger cities such as Albuquerque and Santa Fe. These statistics indicate a concerning trend where New Mexico leads the West in crime despite its relatively small population.
According to her website, Cullen is a long-time resident of Rio Rancho and works as a real estate broker and community leader. She served eight years on the local school board where she advocated for transparency and funding for Career Technical Education. Cullen brings an understanding of local issues such as taxes and housing affordability.
