Our Favorite Progressive Candidates in 2026 - Janelle Anyanonu, Mexico House of Representatives District 19

New Mexico is a state of wide open spaces, but most people in the state live in and around the largest city, Albuquerque. In the small section of city that encompasses La Mesa, Trumbull Village, and the International District, Janelle Anyanonu (she/her) has been the state representative for the past three and a half years. A former member of the New Mexico Black Central Organizing Committee, Janelle is descended from Nigerian immigrants and has spent her whole life in the state. During her first term in the House, this millennial Burqueña was one of five sponsors of legislation to protect abortion rights and gender-affirming care in New Mexico; the law passed and became the Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Health Care Freedom Act, ensuring access to healthcare denied to millions of others in many of the surrounding states. Janelle sings in the choir of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in Albuquerque and is an avid embroiderer of blackwork and cross-stitch projects.

Where are you based?
Albuquerque, NM

What is your position/what position are you running for?
New Mexico State House of Representatives HD-19

How would you briefly summarize your platform?
I am a pragmatic Progressive. I look for meaningful opportunities to improve the lives of working families and my community. I focus on economic development, housing access, and working on removing the root causes of social problems, including crime, homelessness, and addiction.

I am the most passionate about working toward every New Mexican having a safe and affordable place to live. I am also extremely proud that New Mexico remains one of the safest states in the country for reproductive health and gender affirming care.

What inspired you to run?
Donald Trump. I cared about politics before the 2016 election, but the morning after Trump won the Presidential election I woke up in a country I did not fully recognize. I thought (however naively) that the American people would see that Trump brought out the worst in us. I did not believe he would be elected. I was sad and distraught. I was doom scrolling and commenting into the void when I realized that if there are people in the country seeking to do active harm, then there must be people seeking to do active good. I realized that voting wasn’t enough for me. I needed to get out and DO something. I started volunteering for candidates in local state Senate, House, and Judicial races. Six years later a seat in my district opened, and I did something I never thought I would do. I filed for candidacy.

What change are you hoping to bring to your district and country?
My district is well known in the city, and not necessarily for the best reasons. House District 19 is one of if not the most densely populated, ethnically diverse, and socio-economically challenging places to live in the state of New Mexico. We see more than our fair share of drug use and homelessness. We also have the strongest sense of community than anywhere else. Neighbors look out for their neighbors whether those neighbors have roofs or tents. My focus is on bringing real economic opportunity and growth to an area that has been overlooked for decades.

How long have you been in office? What do you consider to be your major accomplishments so far?
I was first elected to my seat in 2022, taking office in early 2023, and I am currently running for my third term. I am most proud of being a primary sponsor with four other amazing women of color Representatives that secured the right to abortion access and gender affirming care (HB7 2023).

How do you see your unique identity and background to be an asset to you in office?
New Mexico is an amazing place to be a State House Representative. We have the largest majority of women serving in the Legislature in the country. I never had to figure out how to navigate a boys club mentality because I’ve never experienced it. However, of the 112 Legislators in New Mexico only three us are Black/African American.

I represent an area aptly named the International District where we have a vibrant immigrant community from all over. There have been as many as 30 languages spoken at home among students at our local high school at one time. As the daughter of an immigrant, it is important to me to be a living representation of that community in the state capitol and ensure that those voices included in the Legislative process. Democrats in New Mexico have suffered from accusations of the “tricultural myth.” That’s the claim that everyone in the party is Hispanic, Native American or White. As an African American, I bring a different viewpoint to my caucus. At the same time, my caucus is incredibly supportive and values my participation. So much for that myth.

Where can we find out more about you?
Janellefornewmexico.com
Facebook: JanelleForNM
X: @Janelle4NM