Las Cruces – Democratic Representative Nathan Small was re‑elected to a sixth term in New Mexico House District 36 on Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Julia E. Ruiz by more than 2,200 votes. Unofficial results from the state secretary of state’s office show Small receiving 6,918 votes (59.7%) and Ruiz earning 4,666 votes (40.3%) out of 11,584 ballots cast in the Doña Ana County district.
Veteran lawmaker returns to Santa Fe
Small, a former Las Cruces city councilor and conservationist, has represented District 36 since 2017. He chairs the powerful House Appropriations and Finance Committee, positioning him to shape the state budget for the upcoming 2027 legislative session.
In a written statement to Organ Mountain News, Small said conversations with voters reinforced his focus on three core issues: affordable housing, accessible health care, and reliable water supplies for future generations. “At doors across Las Cruces and Doña Ana County, I heard the same things again and again. People are worried about the cost of housing, groceries, and utilities. They want to be able to see a doctor when they get sick and to feel safe in their neighborhoods. And they want to know there will be enough water for our kids and grandkids,” Small said.
He added, “Those are the priorities I’m bringing back to Santa Fe in January. With Washington cutting Medicaid and driving up costs, New Mexico has to step up. I’ll keep fighting for a budget that does just that.”
Budget experience and legislative priorities
Small’s experience guiding the 2026 state budget is a central part of his platform. He and Democratic Rep. Meredith Dixon sponsored the budget bill that passed both chambers and was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in March, after the governor vetoed several provisions. In a pre‑election questionnaire from Source New Mexico, Small identified the state budget as his top priority for 2027.
Ruiz, a Las Cruces office manager and New Mexico State University graduate, ran on a platform emphasizing public safety, government accountability, and economic opportunity. In her own questionnaire, she highlighted crime and homelessness as the district’s most pressing concerns and said she would evaluate state programs based on results. A separate questionnaire published by the Albuquerque Journal showed Ruiz supporting expanded skilled‑trades training, lower taxes for working families, and fewer regulatory obstacles for small businesses.
Local development and water protection
Both candidates addressed the impact of large‑scale development on the region. Small told Source New Mexico that the proposed Project Jupiter data center in Santa Teresa should include safeguards to protect local water supplies and keep utility costs affordable for residents. Ruiz, speaking to the League of Women Voters of Southern New Mexico, argued that major economic projects must deliver tangible benefits to district residents as well as investors.
On health‑care policy, Ruiz advocated for incentives to attract doctors and nurses to southern New Mexico and for expanding treatment options for addiction and mental illness.
Looking ahead
The election results, while unofficial until certified by the state, give Small another term to influence the state’s fiscal direction and to address the affordability, health‑care, and water concerns voiced by his constituents. Organ Mountain News reached out to Ruiz for comment, but she had not responded at the time of publication.
Original reporting: Organ Mountain News (Las Cruces / Doña Ana County) — read the source article.
