Former Albuquerque mayoral candidate seeks D1 congressional seat

MORIARTY — An Army veteran and former Albuquerque mayoral candidate announced he is running as a Republican in the race for a U.S. congressional seat representing Rio Rancho but says he needs more signatures to get on the primary ballot.

Carlton Pennington made his announcement in a news release, stating that he is circulating petitions to get on the ballot. The primary election is scheduled for June 2.

Pennington, a fifth-generation New Mexican who ran for Albuquerque mayor in 1997, said his congressional campaign theme is "New Ideas, New Direction, New Voice."

His new ideas include education reform by promoting reading proficiency, computer programming and civics courses in schools. 

Pennington wants to take District 1's Washington, D.C., priorities in a new direction, away from U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, whom he calls the " Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of the Southwest," according to his website.

Pennington said he will be a "new voice" by representing all New Mexicans in Congress.

He joins Republican challengers Steve Jones, who ran against Stansbury in 2024, and Rio Rancho pharmacist Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okparek.