Alamogordo Needs a Legitimate Republican Opponent to John Block in District 51 Primary

As the signature gathering begins for primary challengers and the June 2026 Republican primary for New Mexico House District 51 nears, Otero County voters—particularly in Alamogordo and surrounding areas—must confront a stark reality: Incumbent Rep. John Block’s four-year tenure has been a period of legislative stagnation and missed opportunities.

With a success rate of just 4% on sponsored bills, Block’s record is one of the worst for ineffectiveness, overshadowed by extreme ideology, partisan rhetoric, and a failure to deliver tangible benefits for our district.

The excuse that a Democrat-led House is preventing his success is old, tired, and worn—facts speak for themselves, as past Republican legislators in the district achieved far greater results through collaboration and relationship-building.

Previous GOP representatives in District 51 demonstrated the power of working across the aisle to secure funding for critical projects that bolstered Otero County’s infrastructure and economy. For example, major initiatives like funding for the Alamogordo bypass and the McKinley Channel flood diversion project were realized through partnerships with the state legislature and federal government. The McKinley Channel, a multi-phase effort completed in 2022 at a cost of over $24 million, involved state matching funds and federal allocations secured by New Mexico’s District 51 Representative, State Senator then Griggs, Federal legislative Representatives and the Army Corps of Engineers, highlighting bipartisan Republican and Democratic collaborations that funded to protectAlamogordo from flooding and supported local growth. These successes stand in sharp contrast to Block’s approach, where picking rhetoric over political collaboration has resulted in nothing for Otero County sponsored or funded as a direct result of his efforts. No major comprehensive project has been championed nor sponsored nor funded by Block in 4 years.

Block’s extreme ideology has alienated potential allies, leading to a string of failed proposals that prioritize culture-war battles over practical governance. 

His attempts to impeach Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, revive the death penalty, and allocate $1.5 billion in state funds for a federal border wall all stalled, offering no real progress on local priorities like economic development, public safety, or water resources

Critics both Republican and Democratic point to his low productivity and reluctance to engage differing viewpoints, including fleeing from tough questions and focusing on obstruction rather than advancement. He suggests he listens to all constituents yet he Blocks them on his social media accounts.

Compounding this is Block’s questionable claims of bringing funds back to the district. In his summaries, he often touts dollars secured by the legislature—but this narrative is misleading at best

Block has consistently opposed budget bills and spending measures, including voting against initiatives like the governor’s $30 million food aid plan, where he boasted that “not a single Republican voted for this.” His voting record, as tracked by groups like the Freedom Index, shows a pattern of rejecting bills that are essential to a district with a poverty rate over 20%, with 52% or students coming from homes on SNAP benefits, and with veterans and retirees struggling. Block was recently the sole sponsor or a bill that would have increased taxes on energy for the elderly and rural electric users by 3.75%.

Mr Block cannot vote against the budget and then claim credit for bringing dollars back to the district—honesty is needed over such rhetoric.

Controversies have further eroded Block’s credibility, including attacks on First Amendment-protected voter education events at churches while ignoring similar activities aligned with his views. Block claims to support the second amendment without question but when pressed to give gun rights back to repatriated non-violent ex-felons he is not supportive. Thus a record of 100% support for the 2nd Amendment is a lie. The 2nd Amendment is clear ”the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed,” period.

Otero County faces pressing challenges: poverty rates around 20%, mental health access, and infrastructure needs tied to Holloman Air Force Base along with state matching grants for Holloman track expansion in partnership with Federal Pentagon allocation. Block has proposed nothing around these efforts

We need a Republican who emulates the collaborative spirit of past legislators, building coalitions to pass impactful laws and secure resources, rather than one whose record is defined by “dead upon arrival” bills and division.

Block has had his opportunity and demonstrated four years of failure

The June primary offers a chance for change—let’s demand a legitimate opponent who prioritizes results over rhetoric and reclaims effective representation for District 51.

The time for change is now to draft an individual with proven past leadership and the ability to actually collaborate and lead on behalf of the citizens of Alamogordo. 

Citations:

• [1] Rep. Block on governor’s aid plan: ‘Not a single Republican voted for this’ | New Mexico Sun (https://newmexicosun.com/stories/676166038-rep-block-on-governor-s-aid-plan-not-a-single-republican-voted-for-this)

• [2] House Passes Immigrant Safety Act: Otero County’s Chaparral Detention Center Faces Uncertain Future as Another Rep. Block Amendment Fails (https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/363017/house-passes-immigrant-safety-act-otero-countys-chaparral-detention-center)

• [3] John Block - New Mexico Legislative Scorecard - The Freedom Index (https://thefreedomindex.org/nm/legislator/24684)

• [4] Opinion: Bill Tracker and the Record of New Mexico Rep John Block - Dead is the Lead Classification on Sponsored Bills (https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/n/245240/opinion-bill-tracker-and-record-new-mexico-rep-john-block-dead-lead)

• [5] NM Sens. secure $6.5 M for Alamogordo flood control project (https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/community/2018/07/16/funding-complete-alamogordos-mckinley-channel-construction-project/777726002)

• [6] Udall, Heinrich Announce $10.45 Million to Alamogordo for Flood Prevention, Water Infrastructure Upgrades (https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/udall-heinrich-announce-1045-million-to-alamogordo-for-flood-prevention-water-infrastructure-upgrades)

• [7] USACE-Albuquerque District joins City of Alamogordo, N.M., for ribbon-cutting on McKinley Channel Flood Project (https://www.army.mil/article/258706/usace_albuquerque_district_joins_city_of_alamogordo_n_m_for_ribbon_cutting_on_mckinley_channel_flood_project)

• [8] Officials celebrate completion of $24M McKinley Channel Project (https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/officials-celebrate-completion-of-24m-mckinley-channel-project)