In some ways, it seems a shame that Democratic voters in the Los Alamos-dominated House District 43 have to choose between Christine Chandler and Pete Sheehey. The two, vying to replace Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard, already serve on the Los Alamos County Council and are well-versed in politics and policy. But this is democracy, and choose voters must.
It's a critical choice for Democrats, as they look to hang onto power in the House of Representatives. While the district's voter registration numbers lean Democratic, Republican Jeannette Wallace held the seat for two decades, and the GOP turns out in reliably high numbers for elections there.
Chandler, an attorney who runs a solo practice, has served as a bill analyst for the Senate Judiciary Committee four out of the past five sessions.
“That sets me up to hit the ground running,” she tells SFR. “I have strong analytical skills and I can cut through information pretty quickly. … I’m not afraid to speak up if I disagree with a decision.”
Chandler’s endorsed by EMILY’s List, a political action committee that focuses on female Democratic candidates, and points to her leadership record during two stints on the Los Alamos County Council. The first time her colleagues voted her to help lead the body, it was controlled by Republicans.
Sheehey is a retired LANL PhD who says the Legislature could use more scientists. He has endorsements from the Sierra Club and Conservation Voters of New Mexico.
“Over the six years I’ve served at the County Council, I haven’t just taken positions, I’ve gotten things done,” Sheehey tells SFR, pointing to his success in adding the county to the Rio Grande Water Fund, which thins overgrown forests.
He paints himself as a consensus-seeker, pointing to a recent immigration proclamation that “rather than just ram it through [with a 5-2 Democratic majority], we rewrote the proclamation … and [had] unanimous support,” including from the two Republicans.
The district sneaks into the southwest side of Santa Fe by the historic village of Agua Fría. Garcia Richard dropped out to run for state land commissioner.
