Ad
Senate District 09: Audrey Trujillo Candidate Q&A
Senate District 09: Audrey Trujillo
Political Party: Republican
Age: 52
Family: Husband, Jerome; 3 children
Education: University of New Mexico: BA Criminology, BA Spanish and Portuguese & MA Public Administration (Emphasis in Justice Administration)
Occupation: Retired
City of Residence: Corrales
Relevant Experience
I'm a native New Mexican and 25-year resident of Sandoval County. I'm a small business owner, community volunteer, former PTA President for Corrales Elementary, former Executive Director for LUCA, Political Director for RNHA, active participant in the Legislature, a wife, and a mother. I also hold multiple degrees from UNM.
Have you or your business, if you are a business owner, ever been the subject of any state or federal tax liens?
No
Have you ever been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of drunken driving, any misdemeanor or any felony in New Mexico or any other state? If so, explain.
No
Have you ever been involved in a personal or business bankruptcy proceeding?
No
New Mexico is highly reliant on the oil and natural gas industries to generate revenue to fund state programs, as evidenced by recent oil boom and bust cycles. What steps should the state take to diversify its economy and revenue base?
New Mexico can create a more resilient and diverse economic landscape by investments in renewable energy, support technology and innovation, enhance tourism, agriculture and food processing, education and workforce development, attract new industries, strengthen our infrastructure, & promote arts and culture so we are less reliant on oil and gas.
Would you support or oppose a paid family and medical leave program that would require most employees and employers to pay into a state-run fund?
Paid Family and Medical Leave programs should consider values regarding worker rights, economic impact, and public health considerations. Financial burden on employers and potential increased costs for employees should be taken into consideration. Requiring employers and employees to pay into a state-ran fund should be optional and not a requirement.
What more, if anything, should the Legislature do to address a court ruling that found New Mexico is failing to provide a sufficient education to all students?
The Legislature should address the Yazzie/Martinez court ruling by monitoring education outcomes, including: making adjustments, provide additional support for at-risk students such as tutoring or counseling, invest in teacher training, and retention programs, allocate more resources to schools in underserved areas, revise curriculum, and engage communities by involving parents.
What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its gross receipts tax code?
NM should consider streamlining the tax structure to reduce complexity for businesses and consumers, adjust rates to enhance competitiveness while ensuring adequate revenue, revise exemptions to ensure that they’re beneficial for the economy, broadening the tax base, implement targeted relief or incentives for small businesses to grow and create jobs.
What changes, if any, should New Mexico make to its election laws and primary system? Do you support or oppose opening the state's primary elections to voters who aren't affiliated with either major political party?
New Mexico should consider changes to its election laws to include unaffiliated voters to participate in primaries to increase voter engagement. New Mexico should also consider voter identification to include citizenship requirement and strengthen regulations on campaign financing to ensure transparency and reduce the influence of money in politics.
The State Land Office isn't leasing any new land until the Legislature raises oil and gas royalty rates. Would you support or oppose raising oil and gas royalty rates?
The decision would depend on balancing economic interests with the need for sustainable funding for state programs. Potential impacts on the oil & gas industry, include job losses and reduced investments. Nonetheless, supporting oil & gas royalty rates would increase state revenue, funding for public services and environmental protections.
Do you support or oppose the state treating brackish and produced water? The New Mexico Environment Department has proposed reuse for certain projects not related to drinking water, like generating green hydrogen or running hemp farms using produced water.
I support treating brackish and produced water in New Mexico, as it can enhance water sustainability, address water scarcity issues, and reduce environmental impacts. Proper treatment can help recycled water for beneficial uses while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
What steps should the Legislature take to address crime and improve public safety?
Steps to reduce crime and improve public safety, include: increase law enforcement funding, mental health and substance abuse programs, invest in youth programs, community engagement, gun safety education to promote responsible gun ownership, restorative justice programs by developing alternatives to incarceration that focus on rehabilitation and reintegration for non-violent offenders.
Would you support or oppose a ban on automatic weapons?
Federal Law currently places restrictions on and requires the registration of machine guns. We need to balance the rights of law abiding gun owners and the needs of public safety. The 2nd Amendment protects the rights of citizens to bear arms for lawful purposes such as self-defense.
What steps do you believe should be taken to improve New Mexico's economic competitiveness?
Diversify the economy and reduce our reliance on oil & gas, invest in education/workforce development to prepare the workforce for high demand jobs, improve infrastructure to attract businesses and support existing ones, incentivize business development by offering tax incentives/grants for businesses, streamline regulations and promote trade/investment.
New Mexico is the only state that does not pay its legislators a salary, though lawmakers do receive per diem payments and can qualify for a legislative pension. Should lawmakers be paid a salary?
Whether lawmakers should be paid a salary is a debated issue. Ultimately, the decision depends on balancing, accessibility, accountability, and the public interest.
Anything else you would like to add?
As your next Senator, I will represent every citizen in my district and bring attention to all the issues we face. I have over 25 years of experience engaging with the public sector and the private sector. Serving my fellow New Mexicans has always been a priority, whether it's at the grassroots level, local level, state level or national level. I look forward to serving our district.
