United States Representative District 1 in Congressional District 1, New Mexico

2026 Primary Election

• Melanie Ann Stansbury — Incumbent United States Representative in Albuquerque, NM

  Melanie Ann Stansbury is the Incumbent U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, serving since 2021. A Democrat, she previously worked as an ecology instructor and served in the New Mexico House of Representatives, also holding roles in the U.S. Senate and the White House Office of Management and Budget. Her policy priorities include addressing climate change, expanding renewable energy, protecting public lands, and ensuring water security. She advocates for government reform, campaign finance reform, healthcare, education, increased teacher pay, and responsible recreational cannabis legislation. Stansbury is dedicated to delivering results for New Mexico and elevating the voices of its residents.

• Ndidiamaka Ekwua Charlene Okpareke — Pharmacist and Business Owner in NM

  Ndidiamaka "Didi" Ekwua Charlene Okpareke is a Republican candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, in the 2026 Primary Election. A pharmacist and businesswoman, she holds a Doctorate in Pharmacy (2008) and a Bachelor's in Biochemistry (2004) from the University of New Mexico. Okpareke is the Founder of My Olive Tree School (2022-Present) and President of Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy (2017-Present). Her platform focuses on the Economy, advocating for job creation and federal investments, Healthcare, aiming for affordable and accessible care while reducing federal dependence, and Taxes/Budget.

• Carlton R Pennington — Candidate for United States Representative in Moriarty, NM

  Carlton R. Pennington is a fifth-generation New Mexican, a descendant of original Spanish settlers, who was inducted into the Army in 1982. He earned a BS in Communication and attended Northwestern School of Law. He and his wife, Chris, married in 1984 and reside in Moriarty, New Mexico, after raising two children in Albuquerque. Pennington has five grandchildren. He previously ran for Mayor of Albuquerque in 1997. As a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in District 1, his campaign theme is "New Ideas, New Direction, New Voice." He advocates for education reform, promoting reading proficiency, computer programming, and civics, aiming to shift District 1's priorities.

• Steve Jones — Retired energy executive in Ruidoso, NM

  Steve Jones, a 78-year-old retired energy executive and former accountant from Ruidoso, New Mexico, is running as a Republican for the U.S. House to represent New Mexico's 1st Congressional District in 2026. Born in Cisco, Texas, he is a U.S. Army veteran with a background as a management consultant, CPA firm partner, and college accounting instructor. He advocates for balanced budgets, lowered taxes, and reduced government spending. Jones supports a federal minimum wage, believes abortion access should be a state issue, and proposes special visas for economic development immigrants. Despite being disqualified from the 2026 primary, he remains committed to conservative values, economic growth, and individual liberties.