Juan Fuentes

Provide a short bio of yourself and tell us how you got into public service?
I’m proud to be from the Sunland Park and Santa Teresa area — where I was
Raised and where my parents, Francisco and Guadalupe Fuentes, have called home for over 45 years. My wife, Norma, and I have also called this community home for over 25 years.
This community shaped my values and my commitment to public service. I’m a graduate of New Mexico State University, where I earned a degree in criminal
justice with a minor in government. My career in public service began in 1995
volunteering with a community action organization, and since then I have served as a public employee, elected official, and volunteer on giving back to the community.
I bring 27 years of experience in local government, serving communities across
southern New Mexico, including as a city manager, where I worked on addressing real challenges, improving infrastructure, managing public budgets, and ensuring communities had the resources needed to grow and succeed.

Residents across Doña Ana County continue to raise concerns about crime and juvenile violence. What specific state-level changes — whether in juvenile justice laws, behavioral health funding, schools or law enforcement support — do you believe are most urgently needed?
I believe a comprehensive, collaborative approach is needed to address juvenile
crime in New Mexico. This effort requires coordination among schools, local and county governments, state agencies, community organizations and others to develop meaningful long-term solutions. I support prevention, education, and opportunity-focused strategies that keep young people on a positive path while also ensuring accountability for serious offenses. I would support increased investment in behavioral health services, workforce development, STEM and trade education programs, and community-based initiatives that provide youth with stronger opportunities and better future.

Project Jupiter has generated excitement about economic growth but also questions about water use, infrastructure and public transparency. What role should the state legislature play in overseeing or supporting large-scale economic development projects like this?
I believe the state legislature should help create a balance that supports economic development while protecting our natural resources and ensuring transparency. Large-scale projects like Project Jupiter can bring significant economic opportunities and job creation, but local governments should play the leading role in oversight because they are closest to the communities directly impacted.
Doña Ana County is working to address concerns related to water consumption, infrastructure, and air emissions. The state’s role should be to support local efforts through infrastructure investment, environmental standards, and transparency requirements while allowing local officials and residents to have a strong voice in the process.

New Mexico continues to rank near the bottom nationally in education outcomes despite increased spending in recent years. What do you believe is missing from the current approach, and what changes would you prioritize if elected?
I believe New Mexico needs a new approach and stronger accountability when it
comes to education outcomes. While funding has increased, we have not seen the level of improvement students and families deserve.
If elected, I would support reorganizing the House Education Committee with new leadership and creating an independent advisory Education Reform and Innovation Commission made up of teachers, administrators, higher education
professionals, social workers, and other subject matter experts. The goal would be to identify practical reforms, innovative strategies and legislation that can improve student outcomes both statewide and regionally while ensuring resources are being used effectively.

Affordable housing has become a growing issue in Las Cruces and surrounding communities. What can the state realistically do to increase housing availability while also addressing concerns about rising property values and cost of living?
Affordable and workforce housing has become a major challenge for communities across New Mexico. Local governments have been exploring different strategies to encourage housing development, including infrastructure rebate programs and public-private partnerships.
I believe the state should support these efforts by providing dedicated infrastructure funding for affordable housing projects to help offset the costs of roads, water, wastewater, and sidewalks. Addressing rising property values will require collaboration at all levels of government to explore whether annual property valuation increases should better reflect wage growth and affordability for working families.
We must address the overall cost of living facing New Mexicans. I support exploring immediate financial relief measures such as tax rebates, as well as long-term relief by reducing the state income tax, to help working families manage rising cost of living.

Many voters feel increasingly divided politically, even within their own communities and parties. How would you describe your governing style, and how would you work with people who strongly disagree with you on major issues?
Our political climate needs more civility, respect, and willingness to work together. Every elected official represents people who entrusted them to serve and help move New Mexico forward. While we may not agree on every issue, I believe in listening respectfully, seeking common ground when possible, and advocating for what is in the best interest of the people in House District 34 and the state.
I also believe in empowering voters by giving them the opportunity to decide on term limits, just as they will vote on legislative compensation in November. Term limits can help strengthen accountability by giving voters hope that if elected officials fail to improve education, job growth, public safety, and affordability, there will be an opportunity for new leadership and fresh ideas to deliver the results New Mexicans deserve.