Sarah Silva makes pitch for District 53; opponent defers

A district that once occupied much of Otero County now includes a hefty chunk of Las Cruces’ east side. With new boundaries come new candidates. 

Sarah Silva, a Democrat and community organizer, faces Elizabeth Winterrowd, a Republican and teacher, in the race for the next representative in New Mexico House of Representatives District 53. 

The incumbent, Democrat Willie Madrid, lost a primary contest to Jon Hill, who passed away soon after the win. A select committee of Democrats from the district appointed Silva to take his place on the ballot in late August, a process that fielded criticism from a local nonprofit and led to a brief lawsuit. 

The delay also has left Silva well behind Winterrowd in the fundraising game. Through early September, campaign finance records show Winterrowd has raised $109,167.32 compared to Silva’s $15,025 – about $5,000 of which came from Hill’s campaign. 

The Bulletin asked Silva and Winterrowd to complete a survey of questions generated by Bulletin readers. Silva completed it. Winterrowd did not, instead referring the Bulletin to an interview she did with a television station. 

Here are Silva’s answers.  

Please provide any relevant experiences or background information about yourself that you believe readers should know.

I’ve dedicated my life to organizing communities to speak on their own behalf to raise the minimum wage, save their homes from foreclosure, advocate for immigration reforms and protect our Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks as a national monument. I’ve supported thousands of people to engage in effective and direct ways that protect our freedoms as New Mexicans. My small business works with dozens of organizations across the country on advocacy and policy training. I’ve chosen to make my life in Las Cruces. I was born and raised in Vado. Read more at NewMexicansForSarah.com and follow me on social media.

Do you support the governor's public safety agenda as proposed in the 2024 special legislative session? Please explain your position.

No. Politicians too often seek to score political points by passing new laws, toughening penalties for existing crimes, spending more money to hire more officers, buying them new equipment and giving them raises. When that doesn’t work, they go back to the beginning, proposing tougher penalties again. This cycle puts people behind bars when they can’t make ends meet or get the help they need. Having an arrest record makes it harder to get a job, find housing and put food on the table, which is often how a person gets trapped in this cycle. We must break the cycle.

What short-term and long-term solutions would you propose/support as a legislator to address concerns around crime in southern New Mexico?

We know what keeps families safe: living in communities where people of every color and background have good-paying jobs, great schools and affordable healthcare. We must invest in infrastructure like community schools and enact policies like the Paid Family Medical Leave Act, so you can care for loved ones without losing your job. In Chaparral, many parents want police officers in schools. Given the cartel presence, I understand. I have questions: Would officers be armed? Would they be trained to interact with kids without victimizing them? I also hear the community; I will help get officers at schools if elected.

What solutions would you propose/support to improve the finances of New Mexico residents who experience higher prices of essential goods and stagnated wages?

New Mexicans are more productive now than ever before, but our wages aren’t keeping up with how hard we work. Wealthy corporations are not only holding down our wages, they also brag to their Wall Street shareholders that they are making bank by raising our prices. I will support legislation that bans digital price tags in our state so corporations can’t change prices instantly when demand goes up; but what isn’t viable is deregulation. Deregulating wealthy corporations is what gives us listeria outbreaks at meat processing plants, lower wages and benefits and irresponsible corporate behavior that often hurts consumers.

What solutions would you propose/support to create more access to mental health resources, particularly for people accused of crimes, in southern New Mexico?

The most dangerous time for someone leaving jail are the 72 hours immediately after release. Often it’s because people can’t get their health-related needs met: seeing a doctor, getting back on important meds or finding mental health support. I wholeheartedly support the New Mexico Justice Re-Entry Program that aims to reduce emergency department visits, overdose-related deaths and inpatient hospitalizations among formerly incarcerated Medicaid members. People who are in jail and qualify for Medicaid need access to their coverage to have the best outcomes for their health and safety and for the safety of those around them.

What solutions would you propose/support to access/restrict access to reproductive health, such as abortion?

I attended the recent groundbreaking for the Center for Reproductive Health, which is being built in House District 53. This facility will improve maternal health; offer choices for if, how and when people start families; and support women through an abortion, pregnancy loss or postpartum needs. Access, affordability, travel time and finding trusted providers are hurdles to reproductive healthcare for many. With this center, we declare that we believe in our freedom to decide what happens to our bodies. I am committed to protecting reproductive health, IVF, abortion care and contraception. I’m grateful to the governor for championing this project.

New Mexico has consistently ranked lower in education standings than the other 49 states. Why is this the case, and what steps would you take to improve education outcomes in New Mexico?

This issue will take stamina and robust action to improve outcomes for students and it’s a bigger issue than just what happens at schools. I support community schools that include healthcare and other community needs nearby for all to access. I will work with local school boards and ensure kids have clean indoor air, food and other necessities to be ready to learn. I am opposed to school voucher programs that would hand out public school funding to very wealthy families and private schools not in our communities and bankrupting our state like we’ve seen done in Arizona.

What is the legislature's responsibility in addressing human-caused climate change in New Mexico – especially considering the state’s reliance on oil and gas to generate revenue for state government and employment opportunities?

We have a moral obligation to reduce the state’s dependence on oil and gas. That is the most effective way we can stand up to big corporate polluters who threaten the stability and wellbeing of our planet. New Mexico dreams big. We have invested heavily in the spaceport, outdoor recreation and film industry. We must keep dreaming big to diversify our economy. We must also improve infrastructure and education, as these aid job growth. With its proximity to El Paso, Chaparral has immense potential for growth that can benefit folks who live there and the entire state’s economy.