2025 Candidates to NEA-New Mexico Elective Office

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State Ballot

Ballot to all Active Certified and ESP members for NEA-New Mexico.

President of NEA-New Mexico and delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, three-year term commencing July 15, 2025. (all active nonsupervisory members eligible)

Bethany Jarrell, Alamogordo

Jim Maes, Las Cruces

Bethany Jarell 

I’m Bethany Jarrell, and I’m running to be your NEA New Mexico President. As your Vice President I have been dedicated to listening to you, improving education conditions for all educators and students, and getting the early childhood constitutional amendment that secured additional education funding passed. My commitment is to support every New Mexico educator and child.

I believe in fostering positive, healthy school environments where educators and students thrive. Together, we will create an educational landscape empowering all educators and inspiring students.

Let's grow together, advocating for our shared vision of a brighter future for education. Let’s unite to ensure our voices are heard and our needs are met. I am passionate about working collaboratively addressing the challenges we face and celebrating successes.

In our organization I want to build a support network of local leaders who will lift each other up through challenges and opportunities. Strengthening all locals and our state union.

Join me in this journey. Together, we will make a significant impact on the lives of our children, educators, and the future of our schools. Vote for Bethany Jarrell for NEA New Mexico President—let’s build a stronger, more equitable educational system for all!

Jim Maes

Hi there! I’m Jim Maes, and I’m honored to be running for NEA New Mexico President. Born and raised in Española, I earned my bachelor’s degree from New Mexico Highlands University and my master’s from New Mexico State. With 27 years of teaching experience—primarily in Las Cruces Public Schools—being part of this union has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I believe that unions exist to serve their members, and I’ll work to ensure that every local has a direct voice in our collective future. This means making our resources more accessible, ensuring transparency at all levels of decision-making, and educating members about the many ways our union can support them. To me, members always come first. I care deeply about the people in our community and my priority will be listening to locals to ensure their needs are met. Thank you, and I look forward to connecting with each of you!  

Vice President of NEA-New Mexico and delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly, three-year term commencing July 15, 2025. (all active nonsupervisory members eligible)

Denise Sheehan, Las Cruces

Jennifer Trujillo, Bernalillo

Denise Sheehan

My name is Denise Sheehan, I am a candidate for NEA-NM Vice President. As a Bilingual Educator and experienced union leader , I want to continue to be a voice for all of us, from bus drivers to teachers, EA’s, counselors and everyone in between. Because we are stronger together—and when we unite, change happens.  I have seen firsthand  our union’s power from the local level all the way to national. I had the honor of being a leader in collective action during  ransomware attacks, a pandemic, school reopening's, elections, negotiations and much more. We must continue to challenge the systems that work against our members and students. There is so much at stake for the future of public education, I am certain that we all have a sense of urgency, and I am ready to work in unity to strengthen our union and public education. 

Let’s  walk the path that our ancestors fought so hard to pave for us, together.

Let’s keep moving forward, and let's do it with a little grit, a lot of heart, and maybe a little bilingual flair here and there!

I would be honored to have your support! 

¡Muchísimas gracias a todos! 

¡Adelante!

Jennifer Trujillo

My name is Jennifer Trujillo; I am from Bernalillo, New Mexico. I hold a bachelor’s degree in education at the University of New Mexico and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership at New Mexico Highlands University.  With 23 years of experience in education, I have dedicated my career to Bernalillo Public Schools. As a member of NEA New Mexico since August 2002, I have remained committed to advocating for both employees and students. I am truly honored to be nominated for NEA New Mexico Vice President.  My passion for public education in our state drives me to fight for our rights as educators, for a healthy and safe work environment, and to foster an excellent learning atmosphere for all students across New Mexico. This commitment extends to every dedicated staff member, both certified and classified.  Together, we can keep our organization strong.

Thank you,

Jennifer R. Trujillo

Constitutional Amendment One

Vote Yes or No To see full amendment please go to this document: (LINK) 

State Delegate to the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly (all active members are eligible, 12 to be elected, write-ins accepted)

1. David Luera, Las Cruces-Former multi-term NEA Board member.

2. Lucille Martinez-Holguin, Espanola-Being a Local President requires a informed leader. Please help me to accomplish that for our members. Vote for Lucille, thanks.

3. Kate MacDermott, Santa Fe-I have been to the RA 9 times and love doing the work for you all at the national level. I will work hard for all NEA members.

4. Natalia Fierro, Las Cruces-Attending the RA would be a fantastic opportunity to engage with members from across the country and stay up with current national trends!

5. Tena Joslin, Farmington-I would love another opportunity to be a State Delegate for RA for 2025. I enjoyed being the NBI this last summer.

6. Tricia Joslin, Farmington-I am interested in representing our state, New Mexico, for the Representative Assembly.

7. Audra Nguyen, Roswell

8. Ralph A. Tellez, Roswell

9. Michael Campbell, Las Vegas West

10. Lisa Felix, Farmington

11. Nicole Baker, Farmington

12. Christine Trujillo, Las Cruces

13. Sara Samaniego, Las Cruces

14. Stephanie Gutierrez, Belen

15. Diana Jackson, Alamogordo

16. Kimberly Nakai, Central Consolidated

17. Tammie Hardt, Carlsbad

18. Jim Horvath, Farmington

19. Melanie Carmona, Alamogordo

20. Jennifer Edic, Bernalillo

21. Melissa Nakai, Central Consolidated

22. Josette Luna, Deming

23. Abril Perea, Deming

24. Mary Daniel-Montoya, Las Cruces

25. Mallory Collard, Deming

26. Anna Martinez, Deming

27. Eric Cannon, Roswell

State Category Two Ballot

State Category Two Delegate to the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly (all category two members-NEA members who are active supervisors, NEA Life members, NEA retired-staff Life members-are eligible, 1 to be elected, write-ins accepted)

1. Cherlynn Lee, Central Consolidated

Cluster Ballot

Ballot to all cluster locals.

Cluster Delegate to the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly (all active nonsupervisory members in locals of 75 or fewer members are eligible, write-ins accepted) The actual number of cluster delegates to be elected will be determined by the membership figures as they exist on January 15, 2025.

1. Sue Holland, Raton

2. Aimee Feldman, Raton

3. Marlon Burton, Tularosa-As a new NEA member, I am eager to participate actively in our union, advocating for educators’ rights and enhancing our community together.

Southeast Region District 1 Ballot

Southeast Region-District 1 Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, three-year term beginning July 15, 2025. (all active members of a local in Southeast Region-Dist 1 are eligible) SE Election District 1—NEA-LOVINGTON, NEA-PORTALES, NEA-CLOVIS, HED-ENMU PORTALES, NEA-CARLSBAD, NEA-EUNICE, NEA-HOBBS, NEA-JAL, NEA-LOVING, NEA-DORA, NEA-TATUM, and NEA-TEXICO

Tammie Hardt, Carlsbad

Trish Ruiz, Hobbs

Southwest Region District 1 Ballot

Southwest Region-District 1 Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, three-year term beginning July 15, 2025. (all active members of a local outside Las Cruces in Southwest Region-Dist 1 are eligible)

Diana Jackson, Alamogordo

Charity Cheung, Deming

Southwest Region District 2 Ballot

Southwest Region-District 2 Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, three-year term beginning July 15, 2025. (all active members of a local in Southwest Region-CSEC-Las Cruces or NEA-Las Cruces-Dist 2 are eligible)

Julie Startz, Las Cruces

Carmen Merlano-Whitlock, Las Cruces

Southwest Region-District 2 Member of the Education Political Action Committee, three-year term beginning July 15, 2025. (all active members of a local in Southwest Region-CSEC-Las Cruces or NEA-Las Cruces are eligible)

Brandy Snyder, Las Cruces

Gail Wheeler, Las Cruces

Retired Ballot

Member of the NEA-New Mexico Board of Directors, representing Retired Members, one-year term beginning July 15, 2025 (only retired members eligible to nominate and be nominated) Two positions to be elected.

Eduardo Holguin

Cheryl Carreon

Betty Patterson

Eloy Gonzales

Carol Teweleit

Retired Delegate to the 2025 NEA Representative Assembly, (only retired members eligible to nominate and be nominated) The actual number of retired delegates to be elected will be determined by the membership figures as they exist on January 15, 2025.

1. Rosalinda Carreon-Altamirano, I’m asking for your vote to represent Retired at the 2025 RA. I’m committed to ensuring our message, benefits and support are maintained. Gracias.

2. Eduardo Holguin, I commit to attending all meetings of the Retired Conference and RA and reporting back to you afterwards. Please vote for Eduardo Holguin.

3. Eloy Gonzales, I welcome the opportunity to represent retired NEA-NM members the RA next summer. Your support for my candidacy is greatly appreciated.

During the voting process and if you have questions or require assistance with obtaining your voting credentials, you may contact one of the following NEA-NM staff members at (505) 982-1916, between the hours of 8:00 am - 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
- Julie Gonzales, [email protected] 
- Edie Brycelea, [email protected]

2025 NEA-NM Elections