Alamogordo NM
11-02-2026 8:07pm

Nagamine Makes Positive Closing Appeal in House District 51 Video

ALAMOGORDO — On the eve of Election Day, independent candidate Grace Nagamine has released a three-minute video closing statement in her race for New Mexico House District 51. She leans on faith, family and neighborliness rather than party as the first true DTS or Independent to run in a major position in Otero County. 

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The video was filmed outdoors at night in front of a lighted white cross. In it, Nagamine thanks voters and asks Otero County residents to turn out on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

"This campaign has never been about red or blue," Nagamine says in the video. "It's always been about me and you."

Faith, family and a door-to-door campaign

Nagamine opens by marking the season. "Just the other day we were enjoying Halloween with our children and families," she says, "and then Sunday, I was sitting in church thanking God for all His blessings."

She describes months spent walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors. "I've had Republicans, Democrats and independents walking alongside me," she says, "and that right there is what this campaign has always been about."

She also speaks about her own hardships. "I know what it's like to struggle, to have nothing and to have to start all over again," Nagamine says. "I also know what it's like when someone reaches out a helping hand when you need it the most."

Nagamine is a lifelong Alamogordo resident and a certified nursing assistant. Her campaign website says she has survived homelessness and domestic violence. It also says she has belonged to Mountain View Church for more than 10 years. "I was born and raised right here in Alamogordo," she says in the video. "This is my home."

She returns to faith near the end. "I have always believed that God has a purpose for our lives," she says, "and I know He has carried me through every season of mine."

Roads, water and someone who listens in Santa Fe

Nagamine says she did not enter the race "to fight over political parties." She says she ran because "our families deserve better."

"Our seniors deserve to be cared for, our children deserve to be protected and our communities deserve safe roads, reliable water and someone in Santa Fe who will listen and truly listen," she says.

Those themes match the priorities on her campaign website. They are roads, water, child welfare, senior care and support for military families, including those at Holloman Air Force Base. The site also says she will publish her capital outlay requests each session.

The Race & the Contrast

House District 51 covers Alamogordo and much of Otero County. Nagamine faces Republican incumbent Rep. John Block, who has held the seat since 2023. Block ran unopposed in the June Republican primary. No Democrat is on the ballot. Block’s closing salvo has been to latch on to Greg Cunningham. Also Block has focused on negative campaigning against his opponent rather than debating his voting record or the issues. He failed to join the community forum on the first Tuesday of November whereas most other candidates joined. 

Nagamine has opted to run a positive campaign and has been endorsed by multiple leaders across both parties as well as small business interests, environmental interests, farming interests, leaders of the faith community and state and federal officials. 

In the video, she asks voters to go to the polls Tuesday. "If you've already voted, thank you from the bottom of my heart," she says. "Take your family, take a friend and let's show up for our community."

She closes the way she began, by introducing herself. "I'm Grace Nagamine, your independent candidate for New Mexico House District 51," she says. "God bless."

The full video is available on YouTube.

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