
STATE ADVOCACY
The New Mexico Association of REALTORS® positions in front of the New Mexico State Legislature and also with New Mexico regulatory agencies, which may adopt rules affecting REALTORS® or private property rights. NMAR’s legislative and regulatory positions are guided by the Quality of Life Principles adopted by the Board of Directors.
An extensive REALTOR® volunteer network is active on government affairs issues through service on the Legislative Committee, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee of New Mexico, the Issues Advocacy Fund Committee, the State Political Coordinators key contact program, and task forces on special issues.
Sometimes a local board and state partnership may be the best way to address ordinances and rules passed by local governments. The National and State government affairs groups stand ready to assist the local boards and associations where possible.
Quality of Life Statement
The Quality of Life Statement guides the NMAR Legislative Committee and NMAR Leadership in setting legislative policy
Resources and Links
Legislative Updates
New Mexico Legislative Update At-A-Glance: The Wrap-Up 3-16-22. This is the final update for the 2022 Legislature. Full legislature updates are e-mailed to members during the NM state legislative session. Emails will come from info@nmrealtor.com. Check your e-mail for updates!
Questions?
Contact David Saavedra, Governmental Affairs Director | 505.982.2442 | davids@nmrealtor.com
Important Dates
October 11:
Deadling to register or update registration information 1st Day of absentee early voting
Early voting begins
October 11 – November 5
All County Clerks provide in-person voting
November 3:
Last day to request absentee ballot
Deadline to turn in absentee ballot
November 8:
Election Day
NM State Voter Information Portal


HELPING ADVANCE THE REALTOR® AGENDA
State Political Coordinator's
SPC’s play an important role in the grassroots and advocacy efforts of the New Mexico Association of REALTORS® (NMAR). A State Political Coordinator’s (SPC) most valuable contribution to the New Mexico Association of REALTORS® is the relationship developed with each Member of the New Mexico Legislature.
Now accepting applications for 2023 Apply Now – SPC Application
Minimum Requirements for SPC Selection:
- Must be a member of the New Mexico Association of REALTORS®.
- Must be a contributor to RPAC-NM.
- Complete and submit application.
- Be willing to serve a term that corresponds to the elected term of their assigned official.
- Participate in training session (Zoom Conference) – date TBD.
- Meet all the “responsibilities” of the SPC (see State Political Coordinator Responsibilities).
- Become a registered volunteer lobbyist. New Mexico law requires all persons attempting to influence legislation on behalf of an organization to register. The New Mexico Association of REALTORS® will provide SPCs with the proper applications and will submit the applications on behalf of the applicants to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s office.
SPC Responsibilities
In addition to regular contact with the assigned Member of the Legislature, there are several specific tasks that are required to fulfill the role of SPC:
- Respond to All NMAR Calls for Action — SPCs are expected to respond to ALL NMAR Calls for Action they receive via email and by personally contacting their assigned Legislator. As the New Mexico Association of REALTORS® key REALTOR® communicators with the New Mexico Legislature, SPCs are looked upon as leaders by their REALTOR® colleagues and should lead by example. After responding to a Call for Action, SPCs should encourage their fellow REALTORS® to do the same. Most Calls for Action will take place while the New Mexico Legislature is in session.
- Advocate on Behalf of all REALTORS® and the New Mexico Association of REALTORS® — NMAR takes a non-partisan approach to moving forward legislation that is of benefit and value to all REALTORS®. SPCs must be prepared to remain neutral on the issues, removing their personal bias on the issues to advocate on behalf of the New Mexico Association of REALTORS®-supported issues 100% of the time.
- Contact Assigned Member of Legislature Throughout the year. SPCs are encouraged to communicate with their assigned Legislative Member as often as possible. Filing a field report after each meeting alerts the New Mexico Association of REALTORS® (if a check delivery was part of the interaction) that the meeting occurred and follow up may be required.
- Have Knowledge of NMAR’s Priority Issues and Be Up-to-Date on Legislative Issues and the Legislative Process — SPCs will be provided with information, and an SPC also should have awareness of the current issues and activities of New Mexico state government.
- Contribute to RPAC-NM — Contributions to political candidates is an integral component in the political process and by contributing to RPAC-NM you are validating your commitment as a SPC.
- Assist in the Delivery of RPAC-NM Contributions — SPCs will be asked to participate in the delivery of contributions to your assigned Member. Contributions are determined by the RPAC-NM Trustees as needed.
- If possible, attend the Annual the New Mexico Association of REALTORS® Leadership, Legislative and Business Meetings and/or “REALTOR®” at the New Mexico Legislature. The meetings are held in January in conjunction with the start of the New Mexico Legislative session.
NMAR 2022 SPC Guide
This guide provides you with an overview of the responsibilities of being an SPC, NMAR’s 2021 Legislative Priorities, Important Legislative Session Dates, Sample letter to your Legislator, and more.
Download the NMAR 2021 SPC Guide (PDF)
For more information about becoming an SPC, please contact:
David Ssaavedra, Governmental Affairs Director, 505-982-2442
FEDERAL ADVOCACY
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is responsible for lobbying in the United States Congress, federal agencies and the Executive Branch. NAR’s website is a vast storehouse of information to assist REALTORS® and there are many resources available to assist state and local associations in their government affairs activities.
Federal Political Coordinators
Every member of Congress is assigned a REALTOR® called a Federal Political Coordinator or FPC. FPCs are a specially selected group of 535 REALTORS® who are the voice and the face of real estate to our federal lawmakers, playing a pivotal role in REALTOR® Party Outreach. Click here to learn more about FPC’s.
The following NMAR members have been named FPC to the following New Mexico elected officials:
- Senator Ray Lujan – Lela Holmes, Farmington
- Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez – Baro Shalizi, Santa Fe
- Representative Yvette Herrell, District 2 – Kent Simpson, Las Cruces
Other Resources
NAR offers many tools and resources for local associations; click here for more information.
RPAC’s MISSION
RPAC’s mission is to identify candidates for elected office on the local, state and national levels, who will work with REALTORS® to promote and protect the American Dream of property ownership. Candidates who receive support from RPAC are not selected based on their political party or ideology, but solely on their support of real estate issues.
ABOUT RPAC-NM
RPAC-NM is a voluntary, non-profit, unincorporated committee of the New Mexico Association of REALTORS®. Any NMAR member who contributes $15.00 or more, becomes a member of RPAC-NM. Fundraising for political action is conducted by each local board and the state association. The dollars raised for political action are split between the local, state, and national accounts. Local boards can request funding for local candidates and issues from the REALTORS® Political Action Committee of New Mexico. The RPAC-NM Trustees work to protect your business and private property rights.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO RPAC
Contributions to RPAC are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. Contributions are voluntary and are used for political purposes. Any amounts indicated are merely guidelines and you may contribute more or less than the suggested amounts. The National Association of REALTORS® and its state and local associations will not favor or disadvantage any member because of the amount contributed or a decision not to contribute. You may refuse to contribute without reprisal. Your contribution is split between National RPAC and the RPAC-NM. Contact NMAR for information about the percentages of your contribution provided to National RPAC and to RPAC-NM. The National RPAC portion is used to support federal candidates and is charged against your limits under 52 U.S.C. 30116.
The purpose of RPAC is clear: voluntary contributions made by REALTORS® are used to help elect candidates who understand and support their interests.
- To make an investment, click here.
- To learn more about RPAC, click here.
RPAC – NEW MEXICO GOVERNANCE
- RPAC-NM Policies (8/22/2019)
- RPAC-NM Bylaws (9/20/2016)
RPAC-NM TRUSTEES
2022 Trustees
- Daniel Coleman, Roswell – Chair
- Isaac Romero, Albuquerque – Vice Chair
- Paul Barry, Farmington – Secretary/Treasurer
- Bill Davis, Roswell – Member
- Sharon Exarhos, Santa Fe – Member
- Wes Graham, Clovis – NAR REALTOR® Party Member Involvement
- Damon Maddox, Albuquerque – NAR REALTOR® Party Disbursement
- Carrie Montoya-Pegg, Rio Rancho – Member
- Ben David Nolte, Albuquerque – Member
- Patricia Pipkin, Santa Fe – Member
- Caroline Russell, Santa Fe – Member
- James Russ, Ruidoso – NAR RPAC Participation Council
- Teri Scott, Cloudcroft – Member
- Baro Shalizi, Santa Fe – Member
- Kent Simpson, Las Cruces – Member
- Deena Turner, Ruidoso – Member
- Paul Wilson, Albuquerque – NAR RPAC Major Investor Council
- Lois Sury, Santa Fe – Ex Officio
- M. Steven Anaya, Santa Fe – Ex Officio/NMAR CEO
- Ambyrly Maestas, Santa Fe – NMAR Staff Liaison
- Ashley Strauss-Martin, Santa Fe – Ex Officio/NMAR Legal Counsel
THE PRESIDENT’S CUP
It is NMAR’s and RPAC-NM’s mission to achieve President’s Cup status every year. This require meeting fundraising and advocacy goals set by NAR. Local Associations also can achieve the President’s Cup. For more information on goals and NAR reports, click here.
NM RESOURCES FOR LOCAL ASSOCIATIONS
REPORTS
Monthly and Year-End RPAC-NM Goals Report by Association
- RPAC-NM Monthly Goals Report – June 2022
- RPAC-NM 2021 Final Goals Report
- RPAC-NM 2020 Final Goals Report
- RPAC-NM 2019 Final Goals Report (as of December 31, 2019)
- RPAC-NM 2018 Final Goals Report (as of December 31 2018)
- RPAC-NM 2017 Final Goals Report (as of December 31, 2017)
- RPAC-NM 2016 Final Goals Report (as of December 31, 2016)
New Mexico Secretary of State Campaign Finance Report
ISSUES ADVOCACY FUND
The Issues Advocacy Fund is used to assist local boards and associations in conducting grassroots campaigns to support REALTOR® goals. Local boards can request financial assistance to support or oppose ballot measures and local ordinances, or for other types of issue campaigns to influence public policy. The stated mission of the Issues Advocacy Fund is “to promote and mobilize public support for the REALTOR® position on public policy issues by (1) educating the public about the impact and consequences of real estate-related legislation or regulation, and by (2) conducting public advocacy campaigns.”