Anita Gonzales is a career educator and Sierra Club board member who won HD-70 on her third try in 2024, and won re-election in the June 2, 2026 primary 62–38% over Ambrose Castellano. With no Republican opponent in the general election, Anita is effectively elected. Congratulations!
Donate » Volunteer » Campaign website »Anita Gonzales is a career educator with leadership positions in math and science education and a board member of the Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club. She ran for HD-70 three times — losing in 2020 and 2022 by fewer than 80 votes each time — before finally winning in 2024, 55.2% to 44.8% over Ambrose Castellano.
PolitiScore's analysis of Anita's first term: "Gonzales is delivering solid, practical wins for health care, water, and education in a struggling part of the state…. Overall, her work is likely to make healthcare and utilities more reliable and affordable, strengthen democracy, and give rural and border communities fairer access to water, roads, and education."
See Anita's voting record in the 2025 and 2026 sessions. The Las Vegas Optic covered a town hall Anita held on healthcare and education.
The Race
HD-70 covers San Miguel and Torrance Counties. Ambrose Castellano, Anita's 2024 opponent, is attempting a comeback in 2026. During his time in the legislature, Castellano voted against reproductive rights, against capping payday lending rates, against paid family and medical leave (his no vote was one of only two that prevented passage — the Senate had already passed the bill), against climate and environmental legislation, and against gun safety bills. Read about the 2024 race here.
Compare Castellano's campaign website.
Castellano has also been in the news for troubling reasons beyond his legislative record. The Santa Fe New Mexican (April 9) reported on criminal charges stemming from a violent attack at a local golf course. Castellano also donated $7,500 to the Bregman campaign for mayor of Albuquerque — a signal noted by political observer Joe Monahan as particularly telling given Bregman's positioning on progressive issues.
Anita responded to the violence news in an email to supporters: "At a time when our Northern communities are focused on stopping an epidemic of violence and creating a better future for young people, I am deeply worried about what my opponent's actions say to the young people of our community. Violence is not the answer, and we, as adults, have to lead by example."
Latest Updates
- Anita won the June 2 primary 62% to 38% over Ambrose Castellano — defeating him a second time (he lost to Anita 55–45% in 2024 on her third try and came back for another round). With no Republican opponent in the general election, Anita is effectively elected. Congratulations! (D primary: Gonzales 62%, 3,343 — Castellano 38%, 2,039)
Endorsements & Support
- Campaign website
- PolitiScore first-term analysis
- Equality New Mexico — endorsement for consistent advocacy for equality and civil rights
- Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club — endorsement for environmental leadership and water stewardship
- Animal Protection Voters
- American Federation of Teachers New Mexico (AFT-NM), National Education Association New Mexico (NEA-NM), and New Mexico Voices for Children Action Fund — endorsements, along with Anita's own statement about her first year in the Legislature
- Santa Fe New Mexican — editorial endorsement