Raymundo Lara

Water: Water availability affects agriculture, residential growth and economic development throughout District 34. What should the Legislature do to protect the region’s long-term water supply while meeting the needs of farmers, residents and new development?

Water is one of our region’s most valuable and limited resources. Protecting our long-term supply requires balancing the needs of agriculture, residents, and economic development while recognizing that conservation must be a shared responsibility.

The Legislature should continue investing in modern water infrastructure, reducing water loss, supporting conservation technologies, and helping agricultural producers adopt more efficient irrigation practices.

Equally important is watershed restoration, particularly in southern Doña Ana County, where erosion, deteriorating watershed conditions, and inadequate drainage can contribute to destructive flooding. Healthy watersheds help slow stormwater runoff, reduce sediment accumulation, protect agricultural lands, and support groundwater recharge where conditions allow. Restoring these natural systems is essential to protecting our neighborhoods, roads, and public infrastructure.

I support greater state investment in watershed restoration, erosion control, and coordinated flood mitigation through partnerships among local governments, conservation districts, and state and federal agencies.

Economic development is important, but growth must be sustainable. New projects should demonstrate that adequate water resources are available without compromising existing communities or agricultural operations.

Our agricultural heritage is fundamental to southern Doña Ana County’s identity and economy. My priority is ensuring that today’s decisions do not jeopardize the water security of future generations.

Border-region economy: Santa Teresa and the international border have become increasingly important to New Mexico’s economy. What should the state do to capitalize on that growth while ensuring that communities in District 34 receive the jobs, infrastructure and other benefits that come with it?

The Santa Teresa border region represents one of New Mexico’s greatest economic opportunities. Its proximity to international trade routes, manufacturing facilities, and transportation networks positions southern Doña Ana County to become an increasingly important economic center.

However, economic growth must be measured not only by private investment and business expansion, but also by the benefits delivered to surrounding communities.

During the 2026 legislative session, I co-sponsored House Memorial 66, which passed the House unanimously. The memorial calls for studying the feasibility of a border-crossing user fee at the Santa Teresa Port of Entry as a potential dedicated funding source for transportation infrastructure, road maintenance, congestion reduction, and safety improvements.

As commercial traffic increases, so does the strain on our roads and infrastructure. We must explore sustainable funding mechanisms that support continued economic growth without placing an unfair burden on local taxpayers or compromising our competitiveness.

The state must also strengthen partnerships among businesses, educational institutions, and local governments to connect residents with well-paying jobs, workforce training, and career opportunities.

I believe economic-development incentives should include meaningful expectations for job creation, competitive wages, and community benefits.

My priority is ensuring that the prosperity generated at our international border translates into stronger infrastructure, greater economic opportunity, and an improved quality of life for District 34 residents.

Infrastructure: Communities in District 34 continue to face needs involving roads, drinking water, wastewater, drainage and other basic infrastructure. What should be the state’s highest infrastructure priorities in the district, and how would you work to get those projects funded?

Infrastructure investment remains one of my highest legislative priorities because it directly affects public safety, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

Throughout District 34, communities continue to face challenges involving aging water and wastewater systems, deteriorating roads, inadequate drainage, and flood-control infrastructure. These needs are especially significant in rural and historically underserved areas where local governments often lack the financial resources to address them independently.

Flood prevention deserves particular attention. Recent flooding has demonstrated the importance of maintaining existing dams, retention structures, and drainage systems while investing in watershed restoration to reduce runoff, erosion, and sediment accumulation.

We must also identify who owns and maintains these structures, establish clear responsibilities, and improve coordination among local, state, and federal agencies. Preventive maintenance and long-term planning are often more cost-effective than responding to disasters after they occur.

As a member of the House Transportation, Public Works and Capital Improvements Committee, I understand the importance of developing projects that are ready for funding and supported by sound planning.

I will continue working with local governments, water providers, and other stakeholders to identify priorities and pursue capital outlay appropriations, state infrastructure programs, and available federal funding.

Our communities deserve infrastructure investments that address today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s growth.

Education and opportunity: Many young people in southern Doña Ana County leave their communities to pursue education or better-paying jobs. What changes would you support in education, workforce training or economic-development policy to create more opportunities for them to build careers and remain in the region?

Having spent more than two decades working in public education, I understand that educational opportunity and economic opportunity are closely connected.

Our young people should not have to leave southern Doña Ana County simply to find meaningful careers and financial stability. Creating opportunities for them to remain in our region requires stronger connections between education, workforce training, and economic development.

I support expanding career and technical education, dual-credit opportunities, apprenticeships, and partnerships connecting our public schools with Doña Ana Community College, New Mexico State University, and local employers.

As industries expand in Santa Teresa and throughout the border region, we must ensure that students and working adults have access to the training and credentials needed to compete for those jobs.

We must also continue investing in our public schools, supporting educators, and ensuring that students in rural and underserved communities have access to the same opportunities as students elsewhere in New Mexico.

Not every student will pursue a traditional four-year degree, and our education system should recognize the value of multiple pathways to success.

My goal is to help build a regional economy where our young people can obtain an education, develop rewarding careers, raise their families, and contribute to the communities where they grew up.

Raymundo Lara is running unopposed in House District 34.