House District 40: Joseph Sanchez (D)*
Candidate Q&A
Name: Joseph Sanchez
Political Party: Democrat
Age: 47
Education: Masters Electrical Engineering and MBA
Occupation: General Manager, Jemez Mountains Electric Coop
City of Residence: Alcalde
Campaign Website:
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?
We need to make New Mexico more business friendly, we need to improve our public schools, and we need to decrease the crime problem. We have taken some steps with the schools by pushing early childhood programs, but more needs to be done.
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 oppose it.
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.
We need to look to lower taxes on our citizens in a responsible manner over time that is not detrimental to our state and municipal budgets.
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 doing the engineering and analysis to determine whether or not resources are available for this industry and letting that determine whether or not they should move forward.
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 support stricter sentences.
Would you support or oppose a ban on selling certain types of firearms, including semiautomatic firearms and machine guns?
I would oppose a ban on this, but I would support an increase on the penalties if a felon is caught with a firearm.
Do you support or oppose using New Mexico鈥檚 National Guard to assist local law enforcement with issues related to public safety?
It depends whether or not that community has its own sufficient resources to deal with public safety issues.
What changes would you propose to improve New Mexico鈥檚 Children, Youth and Families Department?
We need independent oversight of the department as the legislature has been trying implement over the last few years.
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?
We need to take a closer look at states like Louisiana who have improved their rankings significantly over the last decade. At one point they were ranked at the bottom with New Mexico and have move up significantly.
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 should begin with starting responsible logging again. At one point this was a thriving industry in New Mexico and was put to a stop. Now, instead of putting those resources to use, they are burning with these events. The fires are the major drivers for the floods.
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?
I oppose requiring our majority small business state, forcing this on those small businesses. Most of these small businesses struggle to remain viable, and to add this additional burden would make it harder on them.
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.
I was arrested on a warrant for failure to appear in court for a routine traffic citation about 15 years ago.
Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
No.