Staff Reports
The 2026 general election is fast approaching and brings no shortage of hot-button issues and local challenges for candidates to face.
In a Sept. 23 interview, Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup, who was first elected in 2000 and began serving in 2001, said recent flooding and road problems across the district highlight the need for greater investment in basic infrastructure.
“Of the challenges that I’m interested in [facing], one of the biggest is—and it comes from different areas of the district—lack of good infrastructure,” Lundstrom said.
Recent rainfall has caused problems in Gallup and neighboring communities. Lundstrom highlighted Mexican Springs, where roads have experienced significant flooding and other issues.
“It’s clear to me we do not have adequate infrastructure,” she said.
Lundstrom said she has spent much of the past two years focused on Interstate 40 and the backups that can bring traffic through Gallup to a standstill.
“It can cause hour-long delays to get off the road,” she said.
At the county level, Lundstrom said bridges are another significant concern. She said numerous bridges throughout McKinley County need to be replaced, but the process can take considerable time.
LOOKING BACK & AHEAD
When asked about accomplishments during her current term, Lundstrom pointed to several pieces of legislation, including the Trade Ports Development Act.
She also highlighted her work as cosponsor of a medical malpractice bill that changed limits on damages involving doctors and hospitals.
“That is number one for me,” Lundstrom said. “We were able to lower what the punitive damages are against doctors and hospitals because we lost so many doctors in New Mexico.”
As for the future, Lundstrom said she aims to continue her work on the House Transportation Committee and Tax and Stabilization Committee.
She also plans to examine several issues during the next legislative session, including how vacant legislative seats are handled when a candidate is removed from the ballot.
Lundstrom pointed to the recent situation involving District 4 Rep. Joseph Hernandez, who is not seeking another term.
“It’s unclear, when you lose a candidate off the ballot, how do they get replaced?” Lundstrom said. “No district should be unrepresented.”
She said she would like to examine the process to determine how residents in such a situation can ensure they have representation.
Paid family and medical leave is another issue Lundstrom said she wants to address, particularly for small businesses.
She said relatively few businesses are currently participating in the state’s paid family and medical leave program and argued that smaller employers may need additional assistance from the state to participate.
“Small businesses are willing to provide, but they need help from the state,” Lundstrom said.
In terms of public safety, Lundstrom said she previously helped secure funding for a local college to establish a program allowing police officers to become certified. Classes began this year, and she said she wants to determine whether additional support is needed.
She said the program could help address the need for certified officers among Navajo Nation, city and county law enforcement agencies.
“I don’t think we have enough certified officers,” Lundstrom said. “So, I’d like to expand on that program.”
She also cited a need for additional funding for shelters and said she would like to see continued development of the bi-county fair, including opportunities connected to agriculture and livestock.
For her local community, Lundstrom said one of the biggest issues involves the way capital outlay money is distributed.
She said the current process can require chapters to spend money before receiving reimbursement, creating a cash-flow problem for communities that do not have the resources to pay for projects upfront.
“The way it is done in New Mexico is you have to spend the money first,” Lundstrom said. “Chapters don’t have that cash flow. I would like to change that for them], so they get half of the funding upfront,” she said.
OVER TWO DECADES OF SERVICE
Lundstrom’s current campaign is built on more than two decades in the Legislature. She is now entering her 26th year of service and is the longest-serving House member from McKinley County. Before her, that distinction belonged to former state Sen. John Pinto.
Lundstrom attributed her ongoing support among voters in part to her willingness to communicate directly with constituents.
“I think the public has always been supportive of me because they know what they get,” she said. “What you see is what you get.”
Lundstrom said she considers herself pragmatic and makes a point of being straightforward and doing the best she can with any situation.
“I will never lie to you about what I know and what I don’t know,” she said.
She also emphasized that she remains accessible to constituents. Rather than relying heavily on staff, Lundstrom said she prefers constituents to speak directly with her.
“I’m always open to meet with people,” Lundstrom said.
Lundstrom also noted that many people, especially younger ones, may not realize New Mexico has a citizen legislature.
“Younger people are surprised to know we’re basically citizen legislature, that we do this kind of as volunteers,” she said. “It’s about public service.”
The general election is on Nov. 3. Early voting begins Oct. 6.
