Author: Carina Lanier
All video interviews can be viewed here in the established google drive folder.
Santa Fe, NM - During the candidate forum on Sunday evening Youth and Government Candidates shared their goals and inspirations for the 2024 - 2025 term to voters. Each candidate shared their prospects for the assigned position and engaged in meaningful conversation with questions asked by current Secretary of State Gabriela Vigil. She shared in an opening statement, the importance of civil engagement and understanding when voting for incoming Youth and Government officials.
The comments made by the Secretary of State Vigil greater illuminate the lack of youth voters in New Mexico as The Center For Information & Research On Civic Learning and Engagement reported a 20.5% youth turnout rate for voters in New Mexico for the 2022 elections.
To increase access to necessary election information the Daily Mail has prepared video interviews speaking to each candidate regarding their qualifications and aspirations for the upcoming year in New Mexico Youth and Government.
Write-in candidates are individuals who choose to campaign against a single standing candidate during last night’s forum. If an individual decides to vote for a write-in candidate on election day, the voter must correctly list the candidate's first and last name in the proper field.
The media team encourages each Youth and Government participant to learn about the individuals running for elected office in the hope of making educated voting decisions on the ballots tomorrow and for each election they are eligible to vote.
Below are the candidates for 2024-2025 term:
Liam Pererira is a Junior attending East Mountain High School and is a candidate for Governor. To learn more regarding Pererira’s candidacy review this interview.
Makenna Ramon is a Junior attending the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for Governor. To learn more regarding Ramon’s candidacy review this interview.
Pearl Nguyen is a Junior attending the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. To learn more regarding Nguyen’s candidacy please review this interview.
Paloma Poole is a Junior attending East Mountain High School and is a candidate for Lieutenant Governor. To learn more regarding Poole’s candidacy please review this interview.
Makenna Hatten is a Sophomore attending Moriarty High School and is a candidate for Secretary of State. To learn more regarding Hatten’s candidacy review this interview.
Claire Martinez is a Junior attending the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for Secretary of State. To learn more regarding Martinez’s candidacy please review this interview.
Bella Blair is a Junior attending Los Alamos High School and is a candidate for Speaker of the House. To learn more regarding Blair’s candidacy please review this interview.
Jalyn Lovato is a Sophomore attending Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for Speaker of the House. To learn more regarding Lovato’s candidacy please review this interview.
Miller Millea is a Sophomore attending East Mountain High School and is a candidate for Speaker of the House. To learn more regarding Millea’s candidacy please review this interview.
Tanner Ozdoba is a Junior attending Cibola High School and is a candidate for Speaker of the House. To learn more regarding Ozdoba’s candidacy please review this interview.
Alejandro Flores is a Junior attending the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for Attorney General. To learn more regarding Flores’s candidacy please review this interview.
Ana Choe is a Sophomore attending the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for State Auditor. To learn more regarding Choe’s candidacy please review this interview.
Isabel Urioste is a write-in candidate for State Auditor. To learn more regarding Urioste’s candidacy please review this interview.
Anirudh Nanda is a Junior attending the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for State Treasurer. To learn more regarding Nanda’s candidacy please review this interview.
Noah Street is a write-in candidate for State Treasurer. To learn more regarding Street’s candidacy please review this interview.
Jacob Malagon is a write-in candidate for State Treasurer. To learn more regarding Street’s candidacy please review this interview.
Gavin Mitchell is a Sophomore attending Albuquerque Academy and is a candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands. To learn more regarding Mitchell’s candidacy please review this interview.
Jacob Vaughn is a Freshman attending the Southwest Secondary Learning Center and is a candidate for Commissioner of Public Lands. To learn more regarding Vaughn’s candidacy please review this interview.
Quinn Blakeslee is a Sophomore attending Santa Fe High School and is a candidate for Chief Justice. To learn more regarding Blakeslee’s candidacy please review this interview.
Nathan Jones is a Junior attending East Mountain High School and is a candidate for Chief Justice. To learn more regarding Jones’s candidacy please review this interview.
Mya Ramon is a Junior attending Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science and is a candidate for Chief Justice. To learn more regarding Ramon’s candidacy please review this interview.