New Mexico’s 2022 general election began with early voting at the county clerk’s office Tuesday, Oct. 11. Other early voting locations will open Saturday, Oct. 22. Early voting continues until Saturday, Nov. 5, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Voters will decide the fate of many candidate’s jobs, including the position for state representative of New Mexico House District 31. District 31 is in Albuquerque’s far Northeast Heights and is bordered by Interstate 25 to the west, Paseo del Norte up to Eubank and then over to Academy to Lowell Street over to Spain and up to Tramway to the north, High Desert St. and along the U.S. National Forest boundary to the east, and an east-west line south of Tramway through Sandia Pueblo to the south.
Neighborhoods in District 31 include North Domingo Baca, Nor Este, West La Cueva, Vineyard Estates, North Albuquerque Acres, Sandia Heights, Tanoan East, Peppertree, Antelope Run and a portion of High Desert. According to Ballotpedia and 2020 U.S. Census data, District 31 has a population of 30,768, with 71.4% being white and a median household income of $117,223.
William R. Rehm (R) is the current representative for House District 31. He is running against Athena Christodoulou (D), a retired U.S. Navy engineer and entrepreneur.
Athena Ann Christodoulou (D)
Email: athenafornm@gmail.com
Phone: 505-797-0894
Website: www.athenafornm.org
Social Media: www.facebook.com/Athena4nm
Occupation: Retired US. Navy engineer, entrepreneur
Christodoulou responded to one email from the Neighborhood Journal saying she had already filled out a questionnaire from the Albuquerque Journal. She did not respond to a follow-up email explaining that the Neighborhood Journal is a different entity, nor did she respond to any phone calls. A questionnaire sent out in mid-September was also left unanswered. Christodoulou’s responses to questions from the Albuquerque Journal can be found here.
According to the website athenafornm.org, Christodoulou is an advocate of clean energy and common-sense gun laws. She calls for a diversified economy and quality education system for all New Mexicans. While in Florida she led the Math-Superstars program for first through fifth graders and says everyone needs to be a “forever learner.”
Her website says she supports the 2022 HJR2 Green Amendment, the 2020 SB29 Solar Tax Credit, 2020 SB5 Extreme Risk Protection Order (Red Flag Law), 2021 HB4 Civil Rights Act, 2022 SB140 Opportunity Scholarship Act and the 2021 HJR1 Permanent Land Grant Ballot Measure. Christodoulou previously ran for District 4 city councilor in 2019 and District 21 state senator in 2020, losing in both elections. New Mexico Moms Demand Action will deliver literature supporting “gun sense” Christodoulou around District 31 Saturday, Oct. 15.
William “Bill” R. Rehm (R)
Email: billrehm@comcast.net, bill.rehm@nmlegis.gov
Phone: 505-259-3398
Website: www.billrehm.us
Social Media: www.facebook.com/repbillrehm
Occupation: Retired police officer, District 31 rep since 2006
Rehm did not respond to phone calls or emails from the Neighborhood Journal, including a questionnaire sent out in mid-September. Rehm did respond to a questionnaire from the Albuquerque Journal. His responses were published Sept. 18 on the Albuquerque Journal’s website and can be found by clicking here.
The website billrehm.us says he supports bail bond reform, organized retail crime legislation, tougher penalties for possessing a firearm during drug transactions, increased penalties for Lilly’s Law, closing loopholes and imposing stronger penalties for second-degree murder and repeat DWI offenders, limiting the governor’s emergency powers, reducing regulations on businesses, promoting more oil drilling, and ending golden parachutes for state employees who resign or are terminated.
Rehm says he is a tough-on-crime legislator but also has goals to improve education, modernize the electric grid, enhance broadband and cell service, develop an improved energy plan and provide sustainable funding for roads and highways. Rehm says the state’s current policy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 will impoverish New Mexicans and the state should instead incentivize the implementation of renewable energy to prevent energy poverty.