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State Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, announced in a news release Thursday that she will not seek a second term in the legislature after all, creating an opening for Republicans to flip a legislative seat in the southwestern corner of the state.
After reciting a number of accomplishments since taking office in 2021, including her appointments to the powerful senate and legislative finance committees, the educator-turned-lawmaker wrote: “…after careful consideration and a lot of deliberation I have decided not to run in the general election so I can explore new career opportunities.”
Correa Hemphill is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination, and was set to face the lone Republican primary candidate, Gabriel Ramos, in the Nov. 5 general election. She said she will remain on the ballot for the Democratic primary election on June 4, but will withdraw ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, when every seat in the statehouse is up for election.
“I look forward to continuing our work together to support the needs of our community and state, that I love so dearly and has been home to my family for hundreds of years,” she concluded.
Correa Hemphill represents New Mexico Senate District 28, which has new boundaries in effect for the 2024 election following redistricting in 2021. Her district now includes all of Hidalgo County and parts of Grant and Luna counties.
Correa Hemphill won the seat after an upset primary victory against Ramos, also of Silver City, who was a Democrat at the time and incumbent senator. Ramos was among Democratic lawmakers who lost primary challenges in 2020 to more progressive candidates. Ramos switched his party affiliation to the Republican Party and appeared to be headed for a rematch before today’s announcement.
Among the accomplishments in which she expressed pride was her support for pay increases for teachers and budget increases for K-12 and higher education; securing funds for hospital and wastewater facilities as well as highway improvements in her district; revitalization efforts for the historic Fort Bayard site; and funding for training employees and foster care families at the Children, Youth and Families Department.
