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ENDORSEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT The American Federation of Teachers-New Mexico provided its "educational ally" endorsement to Heather Balas, in her run for Senate District 9. "Over the course of my career, I have engaged hundreds of teachers in interviews, focus groups and town halls -- enabling them to advance the state policies they need to be successful in the classroom," said Balas. "That's one reason I'm so honored by the endorsement of AFT New Mexico, the state's largest union of educators." Balas is a 20-year resident of District 9 and a former governing council president of the Corrales International School, a public, dual-language charter school.  CAMPAIGN POST Our team thanks the West Side Democrats for hosting yesterday's candidate forum for Senate District 9! We were disappointed, however, that our opponent was not there since this event was scheduled to be our first joint forum. Her absence, however, afforded more time for a really rich conversation between Heather and constituents! The group talked about democracy, education, healthcare, water, environmental protection, and more! Learn more about Heather's positions on our Issues page.
4/11/2024 Policy Mailer #1: Reproductive JusticeProtecting New Mexico Women and Families
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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, filed her first required financial report with the NM Secretary of State on April 8, having raised nearly double her opponent in the Democratic Primary. Balas reported monetary contributions at $61,732, while her opponent reported monetary contributions at $32,471. “The support of residents in Sandoval and Bernalillo County has been tremendous,” said Balas. “Our message is resonating and voters are excited for someone who truly understands this district including what makes it so diverse and unique.” Balas raised nearly $62,000 in only two short months from residents throughout the district, as well as colleagues and supporters from throughout the state and country. Balas announced her candidacy for the New Mexico State Senate District 9 in early February following the announcement 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. “I’m honored that our donors included people with so many different interests and backgrounds,” said Balas. “It shows that my career as a uniter is so badly needed in Santa Fe right now. We can work to advance our progressive values while also advancing and growing New Mexico’s small businesses.” Balas has lived in Senate District 9 for 20 years. She is best known for serving over a decade as President and Executive Director of New Mexico First. Balas currently serves as Vice President of the Election Reformers Network, focusing on state and federal reforms to strengthen American democracy. 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. “Extremists are working hard across the country to set us back. But we can’t go back. State Legislatures are our last line of defense – from protecting women’s healthcare to protecting a fair and trusted democracy. I don’t need on-the-job training and this isn’t a stepping stone for me. I am ready to serve the constituents of Senate District 9.” Balas is a fifth-generation New Mexican, born and raised in the agricultural community of Portales. 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] On March 30, the town of Bernalillo and First Assembly of God Church hosted the 24th annual Eggstravaganza in Rotary Park, which included prizes, free hot dogs, fun jumps and, of course, Easter egg hunting. The festivities began at 10 a.m. For the egg hunts, kids were separated by age group, which meant that many volunteers had to continuously put out eggs throughout the morning. In attendance were members of the Santa Ana Thunder basketball team, state Senate District 9 candidate Heather Balas, Mayor Jack Torres and hundreds of kids awaiting their shot at egg glory. Also, some lucky kids got to take home bikes, which were handed by Santa Ana head coach Cliff Levingston. [Read full article on Rio Rancho Observer.]  3/28/2024 Policy Mailer #2: Jobs and Economy
Tuesday marked the official beginning of the 2024 New Mexico primary season for the legislature, with candidates officially filing for candidacy. This is the first election with new maps for senate districts. [Read more at NM Political Report.]
It was a festive candidate filing day as dozens of individuals officially threw their hats in the ring to run for office at a well-decorated Sandoval County Administration Building Tuesday.
Current Sandoval County Treasurer Jennifer Taylor was the first candidate to file her paperwork, followed by 30 others who plan to have their names on the ballot for the June primary election or the general election in November... [Read full article at Rio Rancho Observer.] Heather Balas, a long-time public policy expert and civic leader 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, Primary Election... [Read more at Corrales Comment.]
New Mexico Senate District 9 will see a new face for the 2025 session as incumbent Sen. Brenda McKenna announced last week she would not seek re-election.
After hearing that announcement, Heather Balas, of Corrales, announced Feb. 8 her candidacy for the seat in the June 4 primary election as a Democrat. Balas, a 20-year resident of the district.... [Read full article at Rio Rancho Observer] 2/8/2024 0 Comments Long Time Policy Expert and Civic Leader Heather Balas Annouinces Candidacy for NM State Senate District 9NEWS 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] |
