Harper announces he will not seek re-election

State Rep. Jason Harper (R-Rio Rancho, District 57) announced Thursday that he will not seek re-election in November.

“With tremendous gratitude to my community, colleagues and especially my family, my time in the New Mexico House will close this year,” Harper said.

A six-term member of the House of Representatives, Harper is known as an expert on tax policy and tax law, advocating for discipline in spending. He was able to make dozens of changes to improve New Mexico’s tax code, such as protecting families from massive property tax increases and businesses from “gotcha” audits.

Harper’s bills are also credited with a number of wide-ranging effects, such as saving the Lottery Scholarship by keeping it permanently afloat, ensuring the public’s tax dollars are returned by companies who do not keep their commitments, and preventing teachers from being punished for taking sick leave.

Other notable bills include rescuing the Severance Tax Permanent Fund, which saves each household about $1,000 a year in taxes; establishing the job-creating Technology Readiness Program that helps technologies invented at New Mexico’s National Labs become high-value products; and creating the Rio Grande Trail Commission, charged with developing a 500-mile trail along the Rio Grande, attracting tourism dollars.

Harper served as the chair of the Ways & Means Committee, chair of the Revenue Stabilization and Tax Policy committee, and was a ranking member on the Taxation and Revenue Committee.

Harper expressed disappointment about not being able to drive major reform to the gross receipts tax and its negative impacts.

Harper said that the reform would have created “evolutionary changes that would have been a catalyst for business growth, as well as a blessing to our families.”

In the state legislature, Harper was called “the bridge between the two parties,” and he says he considers it one of his greatest compliments.

“Fighting and divisiveness are great for soundbites and ratings, but they are terrible at solving the many real problems we face,” Harper said. “The people we represent expect us to solve problems, not stand on our desks, shout at each other and go home. Coming to the middle, Republicans and Democrats, and working together is the only way to make meaningful change that will truly move this state forward.”

In his final months of service, Harper plans to continue what he says he has enjoyed the most about his job, which is “advocating for and helping the wonderful people of my hometown — Rio Rancho.”

He calls his public service “one of the greatest honors of my life,” and thanks the families of Rio Rancho “for allowing me this wonderful privilege of representing your interests.”