Block Wins Third Term in House District 51; Nagamine Says 'This Isn't Over'

ALAMOGORDO — Republican State Rep. John Block has won re-election to New Mexico House District 51, turning back a challenge from Alamogordo community advocate Grace Nagamine in Tuesday's general election winning in the tightest race he has ever won. 

Block, who has declined interview requests from KALH, instead released a written statement thanking voters and supporters.

"Tonight, the people spoke again — delivering a resounding victory and once again placing their trust in our movement," Block said in the statement, issued by his campaign.

Block wrote that his campaign stayed focused "through every attack, every distraction, and every attempt to divide us," listing families, freedoms, the economy, the military community, small businesses and the future of southern New Mexico as his priorities. He thanked God for "continued blessings, guidance, and strength" and pledged to "fight harder, work harder, [and] deliver even more for our district" in his next term at the Roundhouse.

"Tonight is not about me," Block said. He closed the statement: "Now, back to work."

Nagamine: 'Your past doesn't define you'

Nagamine, a lifelong Alamogordo resident who ran as a decline-to-state candidate, spoke with KALH by phone after the results came in. She said she considered the campaign a win for the community despite the outcome.

"The rally of supporters and everybody that came together as a community — I was well received, and I take that as a win for me and for everybody else," Nagamine said.

Late in the race, Block's campaign sent a letter to voters raising past decisions from Nagamine's life. Nagamine said she responded by telling her own story rather than attacking her opponent.

"I didn't sling mud, and I'm very happy to say I ran a clean campaign, and that's what I said from the beginning," she said. "Your past doesn't define you, and it doesn't."

She said she "didn't take it sitting down" and credited her faith for carrying her through the campaign.

Nagamine said her coalition included Republicans, Democrats, independents and undecided voters who knocked on doors and made phone calls together. "It wasn't about politics; it was about people," she said of her team.

She also signaled she intends to stay involved. "I'm not going to stop this fight for our community," Nagamine said. "If Block doesn't represent the neighbors as he's supposed to, then I'll be right there to make sure that he does."

Asked whether she would run again, Nagamine said she would pray on it. "Time will tell, and God will tell me what to do," she said.

"This isn't over," she added in a message to supporters. "We're gonna do the work, and we're gonna come out on top."

About the race

Block, the founder and editor of the Piñon Post, was first elected in 2022 after narrowly defeating incumbent Rep. Rachel Black in the Republican primary. He won re-election in 2024 with 61.5 percent of the vote. House District 51 covers a large portion of Otero County, including Alamogordo.

Nagamine is the founder of Royal Angels and a former Mrs. New Mexico.

KALH has repeatedly invited Rep. Block to discuss the race and his plans for the coming term. The invitation remains open and he can call Anthony Lucero at our station anytime at

+1 (575) 415-4671 to schedule a call. 

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