EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin is making a bid for statewide office.
López Askin launched her campaign for New Mexico’s secretary of state job last week.
Next year’s election for secretary of state will not feature an incumbent. Current officeholder Maggie Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, is term limited out and cannot seek a third term.
López Askin said she was running to provide “proven leadership” in the Secretary of State’s Office “to keep elections safe and help small businesses succeed.”
López Askin is a Democrat who was appointed Doña Ana County clerk by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez in 2018. She was elected to full terms in 2020 and 2024.
“I am running for secretary of state because it’s never been more important to protect New Mexicans’ right to vote,” López Askin said. “With our elections under assault across the country, it’s important we have a secretary of state who’s ready to stand up to election deniers and extremists.”
López Askin, in her second term as county clerk for New Mexico’s second-largest county, has a record of fighting for secure elections, her campaign said in its announcement press release.
“In 2020, when our elections were under attack, López Askin persevered, combating misinformation and pushing back on election deniers. She even partnered with law enforcement to keep election workers safe and voting running smoothly,” the announcement said.
Her campaign also said that in her seven years as Doña Ana County clerk, López Askin “has helped new businesses cut through government bureaucracy so business owners can focus on the work they are passionate about,” the press release said.
“In this time of economic uncertainty, we need to make sure that New Mexico’s small businesses can compete and thrive,” López Askin said. “As secretary of state, I will provide certainty and stability for New Mexico businesses.”
Here is what the rest of her announcement said:
“López Askin is a proud public servant with deep roots in New Mexico. She was raised in Las Cruces by a proud, hard-working single mom who relied on support programs to provide a stable life for her children. With the support of her community, hard work and determination, López Askin became a family and mental health therapist and dedicated herself to helping kids in foster care.
“When the opportunity came to serve Dona Aña County as county clerk, she leapt at the chance to continue serving the community that has given her so much. As county clerk, López Askin worked with Democrats and Republicans to ensure the integrity of our elections.
“As secretary of state, Amanda will bring her lived and professional experience to serve all New Mexicans by making sure our elections remain safe, secure, and fair, providing transparency in campaign finance, and supporting New Mexico’s businesses.”
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