New Mexico Democrats are swapping candidates in a key State House race in Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights where they have their target set on unseating one of the few Republicans representing a House or Senate district in Albuquerque.
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Former State Senator Lisa Curtis received the most votes from the Democratic Party’s County Central Committee members in House District 31 who were responsible for voting in a replacement candidate after Ryan Anselm Braid withdrew from the race following his uncontested victory in the Democratic primary in June. Statewide members of the Democratic committee used a similar process to nominate outgoing Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard to fill the lieutenant governor’s spot on the ballot after Maggie Toulouse Oliver withdrew after the primary.
In choosing Curtis, Democrats are setting a target on HD31 which is currently held by State Rep. Nicole Chavez, a Republican, who beat a Democratic challenger by just 843 votes in 2024. Curtis is a successful trial lawyer who was appointed to fill a vacancy in the senate in 2012 mostly self-funded her 2012 campaign with over $200,000 in personal funds. She lost that race to Mark Moores. If Curtis defeats Chavez, trial lawyers will add another seat in the legislature which last year passed changes to medical malpractice laws opposed by many trial lawyers who represent patients injured in medical cases.
Curtis is already previewing her campaign theme as a defender of victims against healthcare companies. Chavez works in the health insurance industry and frequently holds community events centered around healthcare. “It is humbling to be chosen as our nominee for House District 31,” Curtis said. “I don’t take that lightly, or for granted. I’m thankful to everyone who participated in this process — everyone who stepped up, made calls, asked hard questions, and gave real time to a decision that mattered. And to everyone who cares deeply about the future of this district. Whatever your party, I intend to earn your trust and your vote in the months ahead.”
Neri Holguin, who has ran campaigns for Mayor Tim Keller and a number of Democratic state house and city council candidates, is assisting Curtis.