Long Time Policy Expert and Civic Leader Heather Balas Annouinces Candidacy for NM State Senate District 9

NEWS ADVISORY
(Corrales, NM) – Heather Balas, a long-time public policy expert and civic leader known for  advancing positive solutions to New Mexico’s most pressing issues, has announced her candidacy for the New Mexico State Senate District 9, in the 2024 election. Balas released her decision following the announcement last week that current-sitting state Senator Brenda McKenna would not seek re-election to the district encompassing Albuquerque’s westside, Corrales, Placitas, Bernalillo, Algodones, Sandia Pueblo, and eastern Rio Rancho. Balas will run as a Democrat in the June 4, 2024 Primary Election.

Balas has lived in Senate District 9 for 20 years. She is best known for serving for over a decade as President and Executive Director of New Mexico First, a statewide public policy organization that advances positive change in New Mexico, co-founded by former US Senators Jeff Bingaman and Pete Domenici.

Balas currently serves as Vice President of the Election Reformers Network, focusing on state and federal reforms to strengthen American democracy against threats and disinformation. She previously served as a Policy Officer for the Thornburg Foundation, where she oversaw grants supporting transparency and ethics in government in New Mexico. 

“I have dedicated almost all of my career to making government work better for New Mexicans,” said Balas. “I am excited to take that experience to the State Senate to move New Mexico forward and ensure that we protect what makes our communities so special.”

With over 30 years of experience in public policy, Balas has worked with leading state and national institutions to affect positive change in democracy reform, education, water planning, health care, and economic development. Balas successfully contributed to important reforms that strengthen New Mexico, including establishment of the State Ethics Commission, expansion of renewable energy tax credits, passage of the Hispanic Education Act, expanded water planning and drought mitigation, improving access to healthcare providers in underserved communities, and promoting New Mexico’s small businesses including the state’s signature green and red chile industry.

“I have been fortunate to be able to take a deep dive over my career  into the many pressing issues affecting New Mexicans,” said Balas. “I am ready to take that knowledge and experience, along with my ability to get results, to the State Senate to ensure our kids have a world-class educational system, that hard-working New Mexicans have better jobs and better pay, that everyone has access to health care and mental health care, and that we protect our environment.”

Balas has received various awards and honors in New Mexico, including being named a New Mexico Woman of Influence in 2020. She has also served on various boards and committees that advance positive change in the state, including that of New Mexico First, the League of Women Voters of New Mexico, the Santa Fe Data Platform advisory board, and the governing council of the Corrales International School, a public charter school organized around Spanish-language immersion.

Balas is a fifth-generation New Mexican, born and raised in the agricultural community of Portales, where her family raised peanuts. She has been married to Joe Wellborn for 28 years. They live in Corrales and have two grown children, Devon and Grant (plus a rescue dog, Beau).

Balas’ full bio is available at www.HeatherForNewMexico.org.

CONTACT:              
Brian Morris
(505) 414-9332
[email protected]