Nava, Block take State Senate races

SANDOVAL COUNTY — After a heated campaign season, it appears Democrat Cindy Nava and Republican Jay C. Block are heading to the New Mexico Legislature.

Nava had a handle in the District 9 race, leading opponent Republican Audrey Trujillo. According to the state’s precinct map, District 9 covers Corrales, Bernalillo, Placitas and Sandia Pueblo, stretching all the way up to Algodones.

Nava will take over the state Senate seat from Brenda McKenna, who assumed office in 2021.

Block won the District 12 race over opponent Democrat Phillip Ramirez. District 12 occupies a heavily populated section of Rio Rancho, stretching along Idalia Road from Southern Boulevard to Nothern Boulevard and all the way south to the Bernalillo County line.

"We are honored by the support of the people," Block said. "I just had a wonderful call with my opponent, Phil Ramirez and he has a couple of ideas I'm going to lean on him for. It was a hard-fought race, and we just want to leave things better than we found them. That's what we did at the County Commission for eight years and that's our goal now."

"I think people just voted common sense," said Jennifer Dong, Block's wife and a key figure in his campaign. "I'm so grateful for the support the community has shown my husband."

Block will take over the state Sente seat from longtime New Mexico Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino, who assumed office in 2005.

Results as of 11:30 p.m., Nov. 5.

DISTRICT 9

CINDY NAVA – Democrat - 55.76% (11,383)

AUDREY TRUJILLO – Republican - 44.24% (9,030)

DISTRICT 12

PHILLIP RAMIREZ – Democrat - 44.42% (7,390)

JAY C BLOCK – Republican - 55.58% (9,247)