Eleanor's Story

In 2008, community and labor organizer Eleanor Chávez was elected as State Representative in House District 13 because people were hungry for change. For the last two years, Eleanor has stood up for New Mexico’s working families, becoming one of the legislature’s most outspoken legislators on education, health care and our economy.

From battling against Medicaid cuts to fighting for more school funding to supporting small-business growth, Eleanor has been the champion that we need.

For the past 24 years Eleanor Chávez has made District 13 her home. She’s raised her 4 children here, and now is a proud grandmother to her 3 grandchildren. And as a mother, Eleanor knows that working families need access to the best schools, access to affordable healthcare and good jobs.

As Chair of the Health Security campaign and later as State Representative Eleanor has fought to make health coverage a reality for every New Mexican. Eleanor has pushed to reduce bureaucracy in healthcare and as a member of the Community Coalition for Health Care Access she helped convince UNMH to build a clinic in District 13.

Eleanor’s also been one of the most outspoken proponents of taxing corporations and wealthy individuals to stave-off school funding-cuts.

With the specter of budget cuts looming, Eleanor worked to find solutions that would support job growth and working families. She sponsored the Tax Expenditure bill that would require state government to publish tax credits, tax breaks and deductions that are given to corporations so that we can trim wasteful spending.  She’s also supported legislation that would keep schools safe from budget cuts during the economic downturn because she knows that the education gained through our schools and universities is the key to future economic growth and prosperity.

In 2010, Eleanor sponsored House Joint Memorial 39, calling on the Obama administration to take proactive steps to create jobs and enact fiscal relief in cities and states. It’s legislation like this that makes Eleanor the effective representative we need in Santa Fe.

In just two years, Eleanor has stood tall for the District 13’s working families. She’s:

• Sponsored House Joint Memorial 39 calling on the Obama administration to take steps to create new economic opportunity in our state.
• Supported fully-funding our schools to give our kids the education they deserve.
• Sponsored the Health Security Act to provide increased access to healthcare for uninsured New Mexicans while reducing cost.

With Eleanor as our Representative we can continue to build a vibrant, prosperous community, Re-elect Eleanor Chávez, a committed leader that will fight for us!

Eleanor Chávez…a record of service to the community

• Director, National Union of Hospital & Health Care Employees District 1199 NM

• Chair, Health Security for New Mexicans Campaign

• Member, Community Coalition for Health Care Access

• Volunteer, West Mesa High School Girls Volleyball & Softball Teams

• Former Board Member, Con Alma Foundation

• Former Board Member, SouthWest Organizing Project

• B.A. and M.S.W., University of Washington