Long‑time Borderlands resident Daisy A. Maldonado is running for Doña Ana County Commissioner District 1. A graduate of New Mexico State University with a master’s in economics, she has spent two decades advocating for the region’s most vulnerable families.
Community‑focused experience
Maldonado describes her grassroots work as the foundation for public service. She has led efforts to expand arsenic‑testing of drinking water, improve transportation safety, and increase public‑health education in colonia neighborhoods. Her leadership on the Empowerment Congress earned recognition from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Muslim Advocates.
Environmental and economic priorities
She opposes the proposed Project Jupiter—a large‑scale data‑center and natural‑gas power plant—citing concerns about water consumption, air pollution, climate impact and the lack of genuine community consent. Maldonado argues that any AI‑driven data center must undergo thorough environmental, economic and resource assessments before zoning approval.
Property‑tax relief
Understanding that property taxes are largely set by the state, Maldonado proposes shifting the tax burden to large corporate entities that can absorb it. She plans to promote existing tax rebates, pursue state‑level legislative changes, and audit county spending to reduce unnecessary expenditures. Additionally, she will push for a “local option” bill allowing counties to expand property‑tax freezes for low‑income seniors and disabled residents.
Youth safety and public‑health strategy
Addressing juvenile crime, Maldonado emphasizes a whole‑child approach. She calls for investment in youth programs, paid internships, mentorship, and accessible behavioral‑health services. Her vision includes a continuum of care—from school‑based prevention to restorative justice and intensive treatment—so that every child has a supportive path before reaching a crisis point.
Transparency and accessibility
To keep the commission accountable, Maldonado pledges regular town halls, live‑streamed meetings and scheduling that accommodates working families. She advocates for rigorous community‑consultation standards on any development project, ensuring residents receive timely information and a meaningful voice.
Personal background
Born and raised in the Borderlands, Maldonado moved to Las Cruces in 2003 for college. She has served as a sexual‑assault victim advocate, engaged in interfaith outreach, and led environmental‑justice initiatives. Her work reflects a commitment to clean water, air quality, infrastructure equity and giving a voice to those most impacted by environmental harm.
Voters in District 1 can learn more about Maldonado’s platform and contact her campaign through the county’s official candidate directory.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
