Good Math -- and thank you...

Posted: June 5, 2024

Behind every statistic is a story. In this campaign, I’ve sometimes pointed to data markers we want to change, like how few of New Mexico’s counties have enough healthcare providers, or how many of our kids learn to read on time, or how few of our small businesses succeed long-term. 

But sometimes math tells a GOOD story. We came up short in yesterday's primary, but here are some measurable reasons my heart is full of gratitude today. 

  • 78 campaign volunteers (probably more actually) leant time, expertise and heartfelt commitment to our cause, enabling us to achieve 4,776 direct contacts with voters via door-to-door canvassing, phone-banking, or personal texting. 
  • 24 current and former public officials formally endorsed this campaign. 
  • 2000 postcards were hand-written by volunteers and sent to fellow voters, urging them to vote.
  • 246 donors – all publicly disclosed – made large gifts and small, to get our work off the ground. 
  • Zero dark money was received nor any PAC mailers sent. 
  • 26 constituents dressed up in pink to stand in solidarity for a photo showing our collective commitments to reproductive rights. 
  • 32 nurses, doctors, teachers, environmental experts, businesspeople and union members informed the 5 policy mailers on education, economy, environment, healthcare and reproductive rights, contributing to 50,750 pieces of policy-focused mail that went to voters over 9 weeks.
  • 58 supporters, 1 Congresswoman, and 1 Former Lt. Governor cheered us on in last Saturday’s GOTV rally. 
  • 22 election day volunteers brought our hopeful energy to polling locations all over Sandoval and Bernalillo County.
  • 11 members of the extended family (Balas, Wellborn, Brown) actively volunteered, including my smart mom, Glenda, and creative brother Jason.  
  • My 2 terrific kids, Devon and Grant, provided support in a myriad of ways – from putting up signs and canvassing, to working polling locations, to making late-night cups of tea. 
  • 1 great campaign manager, Brian Morris, kept our eyes, hearts and actions on the right goals for 4 months (with support from Colin Harris and Sisto Abeyta).
  • 10 fantastic Bacas, including my devoted treasurer Gene, volunteer coordinator Sarah, and finance reporting guru Brandie, locked arms and leaned into the wind with my family, helping us stand strong on good days and bad. 
  • 1 loving and hard-working husband of 28 years, Joe Wellborn, was chief brand manager, sign captain, and overall sanity defender throughout this entire journey. 
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And
  • ​59 friends, leaders, and family members called or texted in the first 12 hours after the election, encouraging us to build on our movement and try again.  

So, who knows what tomorrow will bring. This list represents a beautiful mix of principled people who – with or without me – can make New Mexico more resilient. We can call out injustices. We can join together – across racial, gender, party, and geographic lines – to strengthen our communities, state, and nation. I’m in awe of all of you.

With tremendous gratitude, 
Heather

PS: Theme song of the day: Gratitude, by Earth, Wind and Fire