Cathrynn Brown Will Run Again for State Representative

Cathrynn N. Brown is a Republican candidate for Re-Election to State House District 55

“The work of reforming state government is never done. I believe the New Mexico Legislature needs to rein in state spending, much of which goes to pet programs that are not improving the lives of most New Mexicans. One example: State highways are deteriorating faster than they can be fixed, while hundreds of millions of dollars are allocated to wasteful, wishful programs.” — Cathrynn Brown

Cathrynn N. Brown has announced her candidacy for re-election as the Republican nominee for State Representative District 55, which includes most of Carlsbad, all of Otis, Loving, and Malaga, and the southern Lea County towns of Jal and Eunice.

Brown serves on the powerful House Appropriations and Finance Committee and is the ranking member on the House Transportation, Public Works, and Capital Improvements Committee. She also serves on several interim committees, including the special committee that has been tracking changes in future federal spending in New Mexico.

Brown says that New Mexico faces real challenges on many fronts. In education, “We need to be sure that all students are good readers. Having nearly 70 percent of the state’s fourth graders not reading at grade level is an embarrassment.” She believes reading difficulties need to be addressed immediately, with interventions happening no later than the first and second grades. “If we do this, retention of third graders will be a non-issue,” said Brown.

In the matter of public safety, the Democrat-controlled legislature is failing to take the steps necessary to curb violent crime. “If we don’t clamp down on offenders and deal with them effectively when they break the law, what’s to stop them from committing more crimes and even ‘making a living’ at it?” According to Brown, attitudes and policies need to change, laws need to be strengthened, and Democrats need to join Republicans who have already proposed a number of bills to help reduce the crime problem.” Brown is working on legislation to address oilfield theft, which is a huge problem in southeastern New Mexico.

Last month, Brown held the grand opening of her first-ever in-district office, which is centrally located in the Eddy County Courthouse. “We have office space at the capitol in Santa Fe, but this is a thousand times better. It enables me to visit with constituents in a dedicated place in the community.” In addition to having a Carlsbad office, Brown now has a full-time legislative aide to assist with handling day-to-day operations. Said Brown, “I’m super energized and thankful to have help.”