PRIORITIES
The government was never intended to be the most powerful moving force in a free society. PEOPLE were created to be the most powerful moving force. I am here to help move the government out of the way of prosperity and advocate for giving the power back to the people. I am committed to building a better New Mexico.
-Elaine Sena Cortez
FAIR TAXATION
Elaine focuses on tax policies designed to create clarity and predictability for New Mexico residents. Her work includes reviewing areas of the tax code that may create financial pressure for retirees and working families.​
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Phasing Out Social Security Taxation
New Mexico currently taxes certain Social Security benefits. Elaine supports legislation that would gradually remove this tax, allowing retirees to retain more of their fixed income. This not only alleviates the tax burden for retirees, but also creates a competitive tax environment for those in search of an enchanting place to retire.
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Standard Deduction Linked to Median Household Income
Elaine has proposed establishing a state income-tax standard deduction equal to New Mexico’s median household income. This approach is intended to simplify the tax structure and provide uniform treatment for all taxpayers while ensuring careful evaluation of how it interacts with existing tax brackets and budget planning. Her commitment to putting more money back into the pockets of everyday New Mexicans remains steadfast and focused.
ECONOMIC FREEDOM
Elaine's economic priorities center on stability and long-term growth for families, businesses, and the state budget. This includes policies that support strong industries, common sense regulation, encourage investment, and strengthen the workforce.
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Supporting the Oil and Gas Industry in Lea County
Oil and gas production is life in Lea County and a significant contributor to state revenues. Elaine supports policies that maintain a stable and fair regulatory environment for the energy sector and encourage development. Her work in this area includes reviewing regulations, considering infrastructure needs, and monitoring how state policies affect job availability, local economies, and long-term production capacity.​
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Strengthening the Workforce Environment
Elaine supports evaluating barriers to entry that affect workforce participation, including licensing requirements and regulatory constraints. Her efforts in this area involve identifying policies that help attract and retain skilled workers across New Mexico’s key industries—including those central to Lea County’s economy.
SAFE STREETS
Elaine's public-safety work focuses on policies intended to address violent crime, strengthen accountability within the justice system, and support consistent enforcement across localities.
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Increasing Penalties for Violent Offenses
Elaine supports examining state statutes related to violent felonies to determine whether current penalties reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed. Her work in this area includes evaluating sentencing guidelines, and considering updates to enhance accountability for repeat or high-risk offenders.
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Revisiting Bail Reform
Elaine has expressed interest in reviewing New Mexico’s bail reform framework to assess its impact on public safety and judicial operations. This includes examining how pretrial release decisions are made, how risk assessments are applied, and whether current policies adequately balance the goals of due process and overall safety.
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Emphasizing a Strong Enforcement Approach
Elaine's perspective on public safety is a “tough-on-crime” approach. In legislative discussions, this may involve evaluating tools that strengthen law-enforcement capabilities, reviewing resource needs for local agencies, and considering measures aimed at improving deterrence and reducing repeat offenses.
Elaine will always back the blue.
