ALBUQUERQUE — Republican candidate Jahnelle Garcia says her decision to run for the New Mexico House was shaped by years working in healthcare and running a small business, experiences she argues offer a firsthand view of the challenges facing families across the state.
Garcia, a nurse practitioner and owner of a healthcare business, is seeking to represent House District 27 in the upcoming election. In a recent interview on The Chile Wire podcast, she described her campaign as rooted in concerns over affordability, access to healthcare and what she characterized as a lack of accountability in state government.
“I never planned on being a politician,” Garcia said. “But I felt like someone had to stand up and fight for the future of our children and our communities.”
Her candidacy comes as healthcare access and workforce shortages remain persistent issues in New Mexico. Providers across the state have raised concerns in recent years about malpractice insurance costs, workforce retention and barriers to recruiting new medical professionals.
Garcia said nurse practitioners and other healthcare workers have increasingly stepped in to fill gaps left by departing physicians, but argued that broader policy changes are needed to stabilize the system.
“It’s not as simple as just the malpractice,” she said. “In order to bring healthcare providers back to our state, you have to change so much more than that.”
She pointed to public safety, education outcomes and overall quality of life as factors that influence whether professionals choose to live and work in New Mexico.
Beyond healthcare, Garcia emphasized economic pressures facing residents in her district, including rising housing costs, inflation and challenges for small business owners.
“I have a lot of hardworking New Mexicans in my district, and people are struggling,” she said. “In order to grow an economy, you have to support these small businesses.”
New Mexico has faced ongoing concerns about outmigration, particularly among younger residents seeking opportunities elsewhere. Garcia said she has seen those trends personally, including within her own family, and argued that policy changes are needed to create conditions that encourage residents to stay.
The race for House District 27 also reflects broader debates over the direction of state policy. Garcia criticized what she described as a disconnect between lawmakers and constituents, saying more input from community members and industry professionals is needed when crafting legislation.
“How can you even understand the problem or come up with a solution without sitting down with the people who are involved?” she said.
Garcia is challenging the current representation in the district, which includes parts of Albuquerque. The seat is expected to draw attention as candidates focus on issues such as healthcare access, economic development and public safety.
As the election approaches, Garcia said voter participation will be critical in determining the outcome and shaping the state’s future.
“If people are really tired of the way that our state is right now, we have to go out there and vote,” she said.
Early voting is underway ahead of the June primary, with the general election to follow in November.
