SANTA FE, N.M. — In a significant milestone for gender representation in government, women have claimed 60 seats in the New Mexico Legislature, marking the largest female legislative majority in U.S. history. The outcome has evoked feelings of joy and a sense of achievement among many supporters.
New Mexico voters have elected an additional 11 women, from both the Democratic and Republican parties, thereby increasing female representation in the 112-member Legislature. However, in the state Senate, women will still represent a minority with only 16 of the 42 seats.
The push for greater women’s representation has been gradual yet consistent across state legislatures in the United States. A notable increase was observed during the 2018 elections, primarily among Democratic candidates. This surge was often linked to the activism surrounding the #MeToo movement and heightened political involvement following Donald Trump’s election as president.
In 2018, Nevada became the first state to achieve a female legislative majority, which later grew to over 60% of legislative seats. In contrast, while women in New Mexico will hold a 54% majority, the number of seats is considerably larger.
According to the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, the proportion of women in all state legislatures has surged from approximately 11% in 1980 to about 33% ahead of the upcoming November elections, with women holding 2,424 seats nationwide.
Among the newly elected female lawmakers in New Mexico are Republicans like Nicole Chavez, an advocate for crime victims, and Democrat Heather Berghmans, who triumphed over male opponents in both the primary and general elections. Chavez won her House seat in a prosperous Albuquerque neighborhood, celebrating her role as the region’s first Latina legislator-elect, while emphasizing the need for a diversity of political values in her district.
Since the tragic loss of her eldest son due to gun violence in 2015, Chavez has passionately championed legislative efforts for crime victims. During her campaign, she prioritized introducing stricter criminal penalties and offering financial incentives for businesses that employ ex-offenders to combat recidivism rates. “I had to wait until my children were old enough to be independent,” she recounted, highlighting her dedication to both family and her legislative aspirations.
While the developments in New Mexico reflect a step forward for female representation, they also serve as a contrast to the political landscape where Kamala Harris, the second female Democratic presidential nominee, faced defeat nationally—even though Harris did win in New Mexico. The Legislature is set to convene on January 21 for its sole scheduled session in 2025.
Women in New Mexico also maintain a strong presence in other key government positions, holding the governorship for four consecutive terms and occupying a majority of the state Supreme Court seats—three out of five. Furthermore, women are in charge of other significant statewide elected positions, including secretary of state, treasurer, and land commissioner, the latter of which oversees lucrative oil and gas lease sales.
Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the Center for American Women and Politics, noted that it is still early to assess the overall impact of the recent elections on women’s representation, as many votes are yet to be counted. There were moments earlier in 2024 when women briefly held a majority of legislative seats in states like Arizona, and in 2023, women constituted half of the legislative seats in Colorado.
According to Dittmar, successful female legislators often create networks of support and benefit from programs that actively recruit and encourage women to pursue office. Many Democratic lawmakers in New Mexico attribute their campaign successes to Emerge, a training and support organization that prepares women for the rigors of political life without directly engaging in campaign activities. Graduates of this program acquire vital skills ranging from financial management to effective political messaging.
Democratic Representative Reena Szczepanski of Santa Fe, who previously led Emerge New Mexico, emphasized the program’s broad approach to campaigning. She attended training alongside Stephanie Garcia Richard, who later became the first female public land commissioner after her election to the Legislature.
Berghmans, a youthful candidate at 36, will soon join the New Mexico Senate, having secured 60% of the vote in her recent election. She defeated a contested incumbent following allegations against him related to sexual harassment. Berghmans noted that constituents appeared enthusiastic about electing a new generation of female leaders and expressed her commitment to addressing pressing issues such as homelessness and housing affordability.
Balancing her campaign with family life has been manageable for Berghmans, who has a supportive network during her efforts to engage in public service while being a mother to an 8-month-old daughter. She voiced her desire to focus on early childhood care in future legislation, finding inspiration in her experiences as a parent and the challenges of balancing work and motherhood.