House District 16: Yanira Gurrola (D)*
Candidate Q&A
Name: Yanira Gurrola
Political Party: Democrat
Age: 52
Education: MA in curriculum and Instructional Leadership and a Bachelors in Electronic Industrial Engineering.
Occupation: Project coordinator/Educator
City of Residence: Albuquerque
Campaign Website:
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?
We need to keep investing in education, workforce training, infrastructure, and affordable housing. Supporting small businesses and local entrepreneurship is key to diversifying our economy. As a legislator, I am committed to building pathways for young people, new workers and expanding technology and other growing industries that create long-term opportunity.
New Mexico is the only state that does not pay its legislators a salary, though lawmakers do receive per diem payments and can qualify for a legislative pension. Do you support or oppose the proposed constitutional amendment calling for a new legislative salary tied to the median family income level?
I support a fair legislative salary. New Mexico deserves a Legislature that working people, parents, and younger New Mexicans can realistically serve in. The current unpaid system limits who can participate and how much time they can give to the work.
With New Mexico now the nation鈥檚 second-highest oil producing state, would you support or oppose changes to the state鈥檚 gross receipts tax and personal income tax structures? Please explain.
I support thoughtful tax changes that make the system fairer, more stable, and our state less dependent on oil and gas revenue. Any reforms should protect essential services, ease pressure on families and small businesses, and support long-term economic opportunity so more New Mexicans can break cycles of generational poverty.
Would you support or oppose imposing water use limits on data centers? In addition, would you generally support or oppose banning data centers in New Mexico?
I support clear water limits and strong oversight for water-intensive industries in a dry state like New Mexico. I would be cautious about a blanket ban on data centers, but any project must meet strict standards鈥攑rotect local water resources, provide clear community benefits, and support a diversified, sustainable economy.
Amid a recent string of high-profile criminal cases involving juvenile defendants, do you support or oppose imposing stricter sentences for adolescents convicted of certain violent crimes?
I believe young people must be held accountable, especially in cases involving serious violent crimes. At the same time, as an educator, I believe accountability should be balanced with prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. We need consequences that protect public safety, address root causes, and help youth turn their lives around.
Would you support or oppose a ban on selling certain types of firearms, including semiautomatic firearms and machine guns?
We have a responsibility to protect our students, educators, schools, communities, and first responders while respecting responsible gun ownership. I support commonsense gun safety measures, including limits on the sale of especially dangerous firearms. Public safety must come first when weapons are designed to cause maximum harm.
Do you support or oppose using New Mexico鈥檚 National Guard to assist local law enforcement with issues related to public safety?
I would only support very limited, temporary use of the National Guard in clearly defined support roles, as recently occurred in Albuquerque. Public safety should be led by trained professionals focused on protecting residents, enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, and investigating crime鈥攚hile always safeguarding individual and civil rights.
What changes would you propose to improve New Mexico鈥檚 Children, Youth and Families Department?
We should build on steps already taken by strengthening independent oversight, improving workforce stability, expanding behavioral health access, and better supporting foster and kinship families. CYFD also needs deeper structural reform so the system works earlier, better, and more effectively for children and families.
What steps should be taken to bring New Mexico into compliance with the 2018 court ruling that found New Mexico is failing to provide a sufficient education to all students?
New Mexico must fully implement the Martinez-Yazzie ruling by investing in students, supporting educators, and strengthening bilingual, special, and Native education鈥攚hile avoiding one-size-fits-all mandates and giving schools flexibility to meet student needs.
New Mexico has seen a string of devastating wildfires and floods in recent years. What policy steps, if any, should the state take to address these natural disasters?
We must take a proactive approach to climate change, which is driving more severe wildfires and flooding. We should strengthen prevention, forest and watershed restoration, flood control, and resilient infrastructure, while improving emergency response and public education. We need stronger local planning and faster recovery support to help communities rebuild.
Would you support or oppose a paid family and medical leave program that would require most employees and employers to pay into a state-run fund?
Workers should not have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or their families. A paid family and medical leave program that is sustainable and fair to workers and employers can help retain experienced employees, reduce turnover, and avo
Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
No
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
Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
No