Find out how your legislator's votes align with American Conservative Union's positions

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There are five state senators representing San Juan County. Hannah Grover, hgrover@daily-times.com

FARMINGTON — The American Conservative Union Foundation’s Center for Legislative Accountability has released its ratings of New Mexico legislators based on how the legislators voted during the 2019 legislative session.

The American Conservative Union Foundation releases a new scorecard each year aimed at educating voters about how legislators stand on conservative values.

According to the ratings report, the foundation selected bills focused on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the “three-legged stool.” These included bills relating to taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, property, the Second Amendment, religion, life, welfare, education, voting, individual liberty, privacy and transparency.

The ACU chose 32 bills to evaluate. Over all, New Mexico’s state senators voted with the American Conservative Union’s positions on average 35% of the time. Members of the state House of Representatives voted with the ACU’s positions on average 37% of the time.

Three San Juan County representatives were given the Award for Conservative Achievement, meaning they voted with the American Conservative Union’s positions 80 to 89% of the time. These included Rep. Paul Bandy, R-Aztec, Rep. Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, and Rep. James Strickler, R-Farmington.

One of the bills chosen for analysis was the Energy Transition Act, which the ACU opposed. The new law is intended to address the potential closure of the San Juan Generating Station. Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, Rep. Derrick Lente and Sen. John Pinto were the only legislators serving San Juan County who voted in favor of the Energy Transition Act.

More: Legislators revisit landmark energy law for New Mexico

Sen. Steve Neville

Sen. Steve Neville, R-Farmington, voted with the American Conservative Union’s positions 57% of the time in 2019, which is an increase from the 25% in 2018. His lifetime average is 54%.

Sen. John Pinto

The late Sen. John Pinto, D-Gallup, voted with the ACU’s positions 14% of the time, which is an increase from 9% in 2018. His lifetime average was 20%.

Sen. William Sharer

Sen. William Sharer, R-Farmington, voted with the ACU’s positions 74% of the time, which is an increase from 55% in 2018. His lifetime average is 82%.

Sen. Benny Shendo

Sen. Benny Shendo, D-Jemez Pueblo, voted in alignment with ACU positions on 16% of the 32 evaluated bills. this is an increase from 8% in 2018. His lifetime average is 21%.  

Sen. George Muñoz

Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup, voted in alignment with the ACU's positions on 29% of the 32 bills, an increase from 0% the previous year. His lifetime average is 26%

Rep. Anthony Allison

First-term Rep. Anthony Allison, D-Fruitland, voted with the ACU’s positions 26% of the time.

Rep. Paul Bandy

Rep. Paul Bandy, R-Aztec, voted with the ACU on 87% of the bills, an increase from 56% in 2018. His lifetime average is 80%.

Rep. D. Wonda Johnson

Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Rehoboth, voted with the ACU’s positions on 14% of the bills, an increase from 6% in 2018. Her lifetime average is 13%.

Rep. Patricia Lundstrom

Rep. Patricia Lundstrom, D-Gallup, voted with the ACU’s position’s on 25% of the bills, an increase from 20% in 2018. Her lifetime average is 19%.

Rep. Rod Montoya

Rep. Rod Montoya, R-Farmington, voted with the ACU on 82% of the bills, an increase from 67% in 2018. His lifetime average is 78%.

Rep. James Strickler

Rep. James Strickler, R-Farmington, voted with the ACU’s positions on 86%, an increase from 69% in 2018. His lifetime average is 79%.

Rep. Derrick Lente

Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo, voted in alignment with the ACU’s positions on 12% of the bills, a decrease from 13% in 2018. His lifetime average is 10%.

A full list of how the state legislators voted on the 32 bills can be found at acuratings.conservative.org.

Hannah Grover covers government for The Daily Times. She can be reached at 505-564-4652 or via email at hgrover@daily-times.com.

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