Bernalillo County Assessor: Damian Lara (D)*
Candidate Q&A
Name: Damian Lara
Political Party: Democrat
Occupation: Bernalillo County Assessor
City of Residence: Albuquerque
Relevant Experience: New Mexico State Certified Appraiser since 2013; Current Assessor, Bernalillo County (elected in 2022); Former Acting Director, Economic Development, City of Albuquerque; Former Lead Staff Attorney, Revenue Stabilization; Tax Policy Committee, NM State Legislature; Legislative Assistant, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, US House of Representatives; and Member, State Bar of New Mexico.
Education: B.A., Political Science, Brown University; J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law
Age: 48
Campaign Website:
1. What would you do to ensure all properties are assessed appropriately and fairly?
We help all Bernalillo County property owners, openly share our valuation methods and data and respond quickly to requests for clarification. I worked with state lawmakers to expand property tax exemptions for 26,000 veterans and have worked continuously to educate veterans and all homeowners about their exemptions.
2. What differentiates you from your opponent?
I bring work ethic and ethical work to the Office. I implemented fair and equitable assessments for homeowners and required corporate owners of abandoned 鈥渮ombie鈥 buildings to pay up. I will work with lawmakers to increase the head of family exemption for primary residence to make homeownership more affordable.
3. Do you support or oppose the state's current 3% annual cap on property evaluation increases? Please explain.
Yes. The cap helps keep housing affordable. We can do more. We can expand the 鈥淰alue Freeze鈥 program to further protect seniors, people with disabilities, and others on fixed incomes. By increasing the 鈥渉ead of family鈥 exemption (which includes single individuals), we can make the property tax system progressive.
4. Do you think changes should be made to the property tax system for short-term rentals?
Yes. When properties operate as businesses through a loophole used by commercial scale operators, they should be taxed like businesses and pay their fair share. If they don鈥檛, those expenses get shifted to homeowners who actually reside in their own homes. I鈥檓 pro-family, pro-fairness, and will hold commercial actors accountable to protect housing.
Personal background
1. Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
No
2. Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
No
3. Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain.
No