Church Member Re-elected to New Mexico State Legislature
November 25, 2024
Albuquerque Family Church member Joy Garratt was just elected to her fourth two-year term in the New Mexico State Legislature. Representing Northwest Albuquerque in the House of Representatives, Joy focuses on K-12 and college education, public safety, economic development and transportation. Over the last eight years, she estimates that she has knocked on over 10,000 doors since her first race in 2016 which she lost.“I want to encourage anyone thinking about running for political office to check it out and go for it!” she says. “There are so many areas in which excellent, dedicated leadership means a lot, whether it’s running for city council, county commission, school board, your state legislature, or any other elected position. There are places for any person who feels the call to represent their communities.”
“Many people don’t realize how important local government is in our lives. National elections, especially for the presidency, capture most of our attention. But political leadership at the local level impacts our lives the most. Having good roads, properly trained police and firefighters, good schools in each city–these are areas that make the most difference in our everyday lives.”Joy brings almost 30 years of teaching experience to her legislative roles as vice chair of House Education and member of House Appropriations. Her education experience working with students and families in California, Connecticut, New Mexico, and South Korea has provided valuable insights and expertise into her legislative and policy work. She has sponsored and carried forward bills to provide free college, train teachers, fight crime, reduce financial burdens on folks (cap interest rates to 36% instead of 175%), and improve roads. She works extensively across the aisle to craft bipartisan legislation and values the fact that colleagues in the Santa Fe Roundhouse maintain civil, respectful and friendly relationships regardless of political positions.If you would like a sounding board or feedback on a future run of your own, feel free to email her at joy4newmexico@gmail.com.