Summary
Current Position: US Representative of NM-01 since 2021
Affiliation: Democrat
Former Position: State Delegate from 2019 – 2021
District: central area of New Mexico, including most of Bernalillo County, all of Torrance County, and parts of Sandoval, Santa Fe and Valencia counties. It includes almost three-fourths of Albuquerque.
Upcoming Election:
Stansbury began her career as an ecology instructor at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. As a White House Fellow, she worked as a policy advisor on the Council on Environmental Quality. She was a consultant at Sandia National Laboratories and later served as a program examiner in the Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration. She worked on the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and as an aide to Senator Maria Cantwell.
Since 2017, she has worked as a consultant and senior advisor at the Utton Transboundary Resources Center of the University of New Mexico
OnAir Post: Melanie Stansbury NM-01
News
About
Source: Campaign page
Grit. Resilience. Determination. And, Heart.
This is New Mexico. And this is our story.
Born and raised in New Mexico, I learned these values growing up in a working family in the North Valley and West Side of Albuquerque. Like so many in our community, our family worked hard to make ends meet and gave back to help support our community.
My mother worked as a seamstress and heavy equipment operator, while our extended family owned a mom-and-pop landscaping and irrigation business where I worked growing up. I grew up helping sew garments, operating equipment and digging trenches, and bussing tables nights and weekends.
After years of work on land, water, and community issues in New Mexico, I went to Washington D.C., where I worked with the U.S. Senate and Executive Office of the President to work on these issues at the national level. Now, I serve as the first woman elected as State House Representative to House District 28.
Having grown up in Albuquerque, I share many of the same stories and struggles as so many New Mexican families and have dedicated my career to helping build a brighter future. Like all families that struggle – grit, determination and resilience helped my family get by, but it was the care and support – the heart – of our community that helped us thrive.
Food, water, shelter, and a meaningful job are the basics of a dignified life. Yet for too many in our community, these fundamentals are out of reach. Like so many families, ours was touched by housing and food insecurity, lack of health care, tragic losses, and many of the experiences that come with the struggle to get by. For me, this struggle is personal and has inspired my life’s work in community building, economic development, hunger and homelessness, and water security issues.
But, New Mexico is defined not only by our grit and our struggles — it is defined by our resilience and determination. Cultures and languages that have been carried forward for generations and that stretch back over centuries and millennia. Landscapes shaped by wind, water, and sun. Rivers that flow from sacred mountains to desert plains. Our food. Our art. Our ways of life. And the wisdom, creativity, and determination of our people. That is who we are.
As a policy maker and science professional, I have spent my career working to help build a more just, sustainable, and resilient future. This work is not just what I do, it is who I am.
I earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Human Ecology and Natural Science from Saint Mary’s College of California and a Master of Science in Development Sociology (with a minor in American Indian Studies) from Cornell University.
Early in my career, I worked as a science educator in schools across the state through the Museum of Natural History. Later, I worked as a researcher and advisor on land and water issues, focused on New Mexico’s water needs and the resilience of our rivers. I later took this work to Washington D.C., where I worked in the Office of Management and Budget and the U.S. Senate in the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Upon returning home, I was asked to run for office. Like so many women who answered the call in 2018, I stepped up to run for a State House seat that many thought could never be won. But, we organized and mobilized — and together not only flipped the seat, but elected the first woman to represent the district — me.
Since taking office in 2019, I have rolled up my sleeves and gotten to work. I have passed 14 pieces of legislation — focused on addressing childhood hunger, modernizing our electric grid, fostering resilience in our water and food systems, improving education, expanding economic opportunity and public safety, improving access to healthcare, and using sound science in decision-making. Since the pandemic hit, I have focused my time on helping our community address basic needs, accessing food and water, navigating unemployment and small business programs, raising money for relief, and helping our friends and neighbors in need. Because this is what New Mexicans do.
Personal
Full Name: Melanie Ann Stansbury
Gender: Female
Birth Date: 01/31/1979
Birth Place: Farmington, NM
Home City: Albuquerque, NM
Source: Vote Smart
Education
Bachelor’s, Human Ecology, Natural Science, Saint Mary’s College of California
MS, Sociology, Cornell University
PhD, Development Sociology, Cornell University
Political Experience
Representative, United States House of Representatives, New Mexico, District 1, 2021-present
Candidate, United States House of Representatives, New Mexico, District 1, 2022
Representative, New Mexico State House of Representatives, District 28, 2019-2021
Candidate, New Mexico State House of Representatives, District 28, 2018, 2020
Professional Experience
Consultant/Senior Adviser, Policy and Community Programs, Utton Center, University of New Mexico etc, 2017-present
Professional Staff, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, United States Senate, 2015-2017
Program Examiner, White House Office of Management and Budget, 2011-2015
Consultant, Sandia National Laboratories, Utton Transboundary Resources Center, etc, 2011
Policy Fellow, White House Council on Environmental Quality, Energy and Natural Resources Committee, United States Senate, 2010-2011
Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant/Researcher, Cornell University, 2004-2010
Field Ecology Instructor, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, 2002-2004
Offices
Washington DC Office
1421 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6316
Albuquerque District Office
100 Gold Avenue SW
Suite 206
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: (505) 346-6781
Contact
Email: Government
Web Links
Politics
Source: none
Election Results
To learn more, go to this wikipedia section in this post.
Finances
Source: Open Secrets
Committees
House Committee on Natural Resources
Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs
Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce
Caucuses
Congressional Progressive Caucus
Congressional Equality Caucus
Democratic Women’s Caucus
Congressional Native American Caucus
Electrification Caucus
House Hunger Caucus
Congressional Historic Preservation Caucus
Sustainable Energy & Environment Coalition
Congressional Labor Caucus
House Endometriosis Caucus
Congressional Mental Health Caucus
Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus
Bipartisan Fentanyl Prevention Caucus
Congressional Colorado River Caucus
New Legislation
Learn more about legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Congresswoman Stansbury.
More Information
Services
Source: Government page
District
Source: Wikipedia
New Mexico’s 1st congressional district of the United States House of Representatives serves the central area of New Mexico, including most of Bernalillo County, all of Torrance County, and parts of Sandoval, Santa Fe and Valencia counties. It includes almost three-fourths of Albuquerque. The district has a notable Native American presence, encompassing several pueblos including the Pueblo of Laguna and Sandia Pueblo, and the Tohajiilee Navajo Reservation outside Albuquerque.[4] The seat is currently represented by Democrat Melanie Stansbury. With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+5, it is the most Democratic district in New Mexico, a state with an all-Democratic congressional delegation.[3]
The district in recent years has, unlike other districts in the state, had a strong track record of its representatives ascending to higher office. Deb Haaland, Stansbury’s predecessor, resigned in 2021 to become the United States Secretary of the Interior. Her predecessor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, took office as governor of New Mexico in 2019. Grisham’s own predecessor, Martin Heinrich, was elected a U.S. Senator in 2012.
Wikipedia
Melanie Ann Stansbury (born January 31, 1979)[1][2] is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from New Mexico’s 1st congressional district since 2021.[3] The district includes most of Albuquerque and most of its suburbs. A Democrat, Stansbury was formerly a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 28th district.[4]
Early life and education
Stansbury was born in Farmington, New Mexico, and raised in Albuquerque.[5] After graduating from Cibola High School in 1997,[6] she earned a Bachelor of Arts in human ecology and natural science from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2002.[7][8] She then earned a Master of Science in development sociology with a minor in American Indian studies from Cornell University in 2007,[9][7] where she was a PhD candidate.[10][11]
Early career
Stansbury began her career as an ecology instructor at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. As a White House Fellow, she worked as a policy advisor on the Council on Environmental Quality. She was a consultant at Sandia National Laboratories and later served as a program examiner in the Office of Management and Budget during the Obama administration. She worked on the staff of the United States Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and as an aide to Senator Maria Cantwell.[12] Since 2017, she has worked as a consultant and senior advisor at the Utton Transboundary Resources Center of the University of New Mexico.[9]
New Mexico House of Representatives
Stansbury ran unopposed in the 2018 Democratic primary for the 28th district of the New Mexico House of Representatives. In the general election, she defeated Republican incumbent Jimmie C. Hall, who had held the seat for seven terms.[13][14]
Stansbury was again unopposed in the 2020 primary. She defeated Republican Thomas R. Stull and Libertarian Robert Vaillancourt in the general election.[13]
In the House, Stansbury introduced legislation to improve the state’s energy conservation and water resource management.[15][16] She served as the vice chair of the Energy, Environment & Natural Resources Committee.[17]
Upon Stansbury’s resignation from the state legislature, the Bernalillo County Commission appointed Pamelya Herndon as her replacement.[18]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2021 special
After Joe Biden announced Deb Haaland as his nominee for United States Secretary of the Interior, Stansbury announced her campaign for the special election to fill the seat.[19] In the first round of voting by the state Democratic committee, Stansbury placed second after State Senator Antoinette Sedillo Lopez and automatically advanced to the runoff.[20][21] In the second round of voting, she defeated Sedillo Lopez by six votes.[22] As no Republican had represented the district since 2009, The Santa Fe New Mexican labeled her “a heavy favorite”.[23]
She defeated State Senator Mark Moores and former Public Lands Commissioner Aubrey Dunn Jr. in the June 1 election in a landslide.[24] Her margin of victory was slightly larger than President Biden’s 23-point victory in the district in 2020, and significantly larger than Deb Haaland‘s in 2020 for the House.[25]
Tenure
On August 12, 2022, she voted to pass the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.[26]
Stansbury was among the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[27]
During the 117th Congress, Stansbury voted with President Joe Biden‘s stated position 100% of the time according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.[28]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Committee on Science, Space, and Technology[29]
- United States House Committee on Oversight and Accountability
Caucus memberships
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Congressional LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus
- Democratic Women’s Caucus
Political positions
In a questionnaire created by the Adelante Progressive Caucus, Stansbury pledged support for Medicare for All legislation, a federal assault weapons ban, the D.C. statehood movement, canceling student loan debt, federal marijuana legalization,[9] and several other progressive policies.[30] She was endorsed by abortion rights group Voteprochoice.[31]
Electoral history
| Year | Office[32][33] | Party | Votes for Stansbury | % | Opponent | Party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | New Mexico House of Representatives |  Democratic | 7,335 | 53.7 | Jimmie C. Hall (inc.) | Republican | 6,326 | 46.3 |
| 2020 | Democratic | 8,908 | 52.6 | Thomas R. Stull[a] | Republican | 7,252 | 42.8 | |
| 2021 | U.S. House of Representatives | Democratic | 79,837 | 60.4 | Mark Moores[b] | Republican | 47,111 | 35.6 |
| 2022 | U.S. House of Representatives | Democratic | 156,462 | 55.7 | Michelle Garcia Holmes | Republican | 124,151 | 44.2 |
Personal life
Stansbury lives in Albuquerque.[9]
See also
Notes
- ^ Libertarian Robert Vaillancourt received 780 votes (4.6%).[32]
- ^ Independent Aubrey Dunn Jr. received 3,534 votes (2.7%) and Libertarian Chris Manning received 1,734 (1.3%).[34]
References
- ^ Kassel, Matthew (March 16, 2021). “Haaland confirmation sets off mad scramble to claim her seat in Congress”. Jewish Insider. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Stansbury, Melanie [@MelanieforNM] (January 31, 2021). “Join us in wishing Melanie a very happy birthday!” (Tweet). Retrieved April 1, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Greenwood, Max (June 1, 2021). “Democrat Stansbury wins special election for Haaland’s House seat”. The Hill. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
- ^ “Legislator – New Mexico Legislature”. www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ March, August (September 12, 2018). “News Interview: Setting a Course”. Alibi. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
- ^ Boetel, Ryan (May 1, 2021). “Hard work, environmental advocacy shaped Stansbury”. www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ a b “Meet Melanie”. Melanie for New Mexico. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ “Notable Alumni”. Saint Mary’s College of California. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ a b c d “Q&A: House District 28 Candidate Melanie Ann Stansbury”. www.abqjournal.com. September 23, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ “Melanie Stansbury’s Biography”. Vote Smart. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ Elliott, Christian (December 11, 2018). “From Development Sociology to the State Legislature – Alumna Melanie Stansbury wins big in New Mexico”. Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
- ^ Akin, Stephanie (March 31, 2021). “Ex-Senate aide narrowly wins Democratic nod for Haaland seat in New Mexico”. Roll Call. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ a b “New Mexico House of Representatives District 28”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
- ^ Boyd, Dan (October 16, 2018). “House District 28 incumbent faces stiff challenge”. www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ Clark, Carol A. (February 20, 2019). “Rep. Stansbury Announces Critical Water Legislation”. Los Alamos Daily Post. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ “Gov. Lujan Grisham, Rep. Stansbury announce climate and sustainability legislation bolstering plans laid out in executive order”. The Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. February 16, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ “Melanie Ann Stansbury”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ “Pamelya Herndon appointed to NM House seat vacated by Rep. Melanie Stansbury”. KOB 4. June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ Simonich, Milan (January 23, 2021). “An early contender emerges for Haaland’s seat”. Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ “DPNM Announces Runoff in SCC Vote to Determine Democratic Nominee in CD-1”. New Mexico Democrats. March 31, 2021.
- ^ Mullan, Dillon (March 31, 2021). “Stansbury, Sedillo Lopez in runoff for Democratic nomination”. Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Boetel, Ryan (March 31, 2021). “Stansbury chosen as Democratic nominee for special election”. www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ Simonich, Milan (April 2, 2021). “What a rally: Inside Stansbury’s improbable victory”. Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ “Rep. Melanie Stansbury wins Democratic nomination for CD1 seat”. KRQE News 13 Albuquerque – Santa Fe. April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ Cohen, Ethan; Janfaza, Rachel; Bradner, Eric (June 2, 2021). “Democrat Melanie Stansbury wins New Mexico special election for US House seat, CNN projects”. CNN. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ “U.S. House passes Inflation Reduction Act”. KOAT. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
- ^ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). “Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no”. The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ Bycoffe, Aaron; Wiederkehr, Anna (April 22, 2021). “Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden?”. FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ^ “Pelosi Announces Committee Assignments for Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury”. speaker.gov. June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
- ^ “Candidate Response Melanie Stansbury”. Adelante Progressive Caucus. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
- ^ “Meet Our 2021 Candidates”. #VOTEPROCHOICE. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
- ^ a b “New Mexico House of Representatives District 28”. Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
- ^ “New Mexico election results”. New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ Wilham, T. J. (May 10, 2021). “Stansbury attacked from all sides in special election debate”. KOAT-TV Albuquerque. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
External links
- Representative Melanie Stansbury official U.S. House website
- Campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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