8-07-2024 1:56am

Dr. Jon Hill Out, Sarah Silva Potentially In, NM District 53 Democratic Candidate

Chris Edwards Editor

Sarah Silva of the Pacific Institute for Community Organization has been endorsed by the Democratic victor, Dr Jon Hill to take on the mantle as the Democratic Party Candidate in the election to represent NM House District 53. Over the past 19 years, Sarah has organized and worked with communities in San Francisco, CA and in Southern New Mexico where she was born and raised, on issues ranging from affordable housing, immigration reform, conservation and economic dignity. Sarah is a coach, facilitator and organizer who according to a public profile. Sarah is an avid outdoorsman, conservationist and loves exploring New Mexico’s Gila Wilderness and the desert near her home in Las Cruces, NM.

She is now being positioned as the potential candidate of the Democratic Party as the candidate for NM District 53.

The June 4, 2024 Democratic primary election results provided an upset victory in District 53, where incumbent state Rep. Willie Madrid of Chaparral lost a primary challenge to the retired educator, and former school board member, Jon Hill.

Now Dr. Hill has ended his campaign, citing health reasons, and opened the door for Democrats to select a new nominee who will face Republican candidate Elizabeth Winterrowd.

Sources within the state Democratic Party shared that the state party was working wirh local Central Committee leaders within the district to affirm Sarah Silva as the candidate to proceed Dr. Hill. The Otero County Chapter of the Democratic Party is still suspended and involved in internal mediation and conflict resolution counseling. Thus the decision will be driven by other areas of the house district and state leadership.

In an Aug. 2 news release, Hill announced his withdrawal and endorsement of Sarah Silva, a Las Cruces native and longtime community organizer. The announcement indicated that Hill, a cancer survivor, was struggling with health complications.

“As a cancer survivor, I know that these symptoms are not normal,” he stated in the news release. “I have come to the realization that I cannot effectively communicate with my supporters and our communities, and must announce my withdrawal from the race.”

A month ago AlamogordoTownNews.org Radio edition with Anthony Lucero interviewed Dr. Hill for sn update on his campaign.

The interview from last month can be heard per the link below...
https://youtu.be/f0eiEoxE1pQ?si=ifWy-PJqS4U3Q0A

Democratic Party spokesperson Daniel Garcia has confirmed the official process and that DPNM State Central Committee members who live in District 53 will meet on Aug. 22 to select a new nominee, and interested candidates have until that date to declare their interest in running. As of Tuesday afternoon, two candidates had done so: Silva, along with Willie Madrid, who lost the primary two months ago by a 16-percent margin.

Hill’s endorsement of Silva was strong and enthusiastic, noting previous community work she had done in the district, which straddles Doña Ana and Otero counties. “Sarah shares my vision for long-term economic and social growth while building on our strengths to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans.”

Silva was the founder of New Mexico Comunidades en Acción y de Fé, better known as NM Café, a faith-based advocacy organization, in 2009. She later moved on to a position with the Pacific Institute for Community Organization, now named Faith in Action.

We will be posting an updated interview on Thursday concerning Dr. Hill's most recent announcement of withdrawal and his endorsement of Ms. Silva. stay tuned as this is an evolving story...