State Representative District 6 in New Mexico State House District 6, New Mexico

2026 Primary Election

• Priscilla Benally — Executive Director and CEO, Thoreau Community Center in Thoreau, NM

  Priscilla Benally, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, is a Democratic candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives District 6 primary in 2026. Living in Thoreau, she serves as the Executive Director and CEO of the Thoreau Community Center. She is also the Vice President of the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education, a position she has held for over a decade. Benally is running to address the underrepresentation of communities in her district, advocating for improved resources, infrastructure, healthcare, and education. She also supports reinstating a state Board of Education. She is challenging incumbent Martha Garcia in the primary election.

• Martha Garcia — Incumbent State Representative in Pine Hill, NM

  Martha Garcia is the incumbent State Representative for New Mexico's 6th district, having assumed office on February 27, 2025, by gubernatorial appointment. A citizen of the Navajo Nation and resident of Pine Hill, she previously served as a Cibola County commissioner and president of the Ramah Navajo Chapter. Garcia is seeking re-election in the 2026 Democratic primary. Her legislative focus includes improving access to healthcare, strengthening infrastructure (roads, water systems, utilities), and fostering economic development, particularly in rural areas. She has supported capital outlay projects, co-sponsored legislation for tribal land, and advocates for education and public safety.

• David L Alcon — Political consultant, rancher in Milan, NM

  David Alcon is a Democratic candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives, District 6, in the June 2, 2026 primary election. He is a political consultant and rancher living in Milan. Alcon is the son of the late Rep. Eliseo Alcon, who previously held the District 6 seat before stepping down due to health reasons. He aims to address the crisis of violence against Indigenous women by increasing coordination between law enforcement agencies. This primary election is highly contested, marking a significant race after over a decade without a primary challenge for the seat. Alcon is currently facing a felony stalking charge in Cibola County.

• Johnny Valdez — Retired Magistrate Judge in San Rafael, NM

  Johnny Valdez, a resident of San Rafael, is a Democratic candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives, District 6. He earned an associate degree in criminal justice and political science from Western New Mexico University in 1982. Valdez previously served two terms as the Cibola County sheriff, followed by 11 years as a magistrate judge before retiring in March 2026 to focus on his campaign. If elected, his top priorities include economic development and job growth for the district. He opposes ending the contract between the Cibola County Correctional Center and ICE, citing potential financial devastation for the community.

• Leonardo J Torrez — Candidate for State Representative in NM

  Leonardo J Torrez is a political figure affiliated with the Democratic Party, known for his bid in the 2026 election cycle for a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 6. His candidacy was specifically aimed at the Democratic primary, which is scheduled for June 2, 2026. However, Torrez faced disqualification from this primary election. The election for District 6 is notable for having no incumbents in the overall race, though an incumbent, Martha Garcia, was running in the Democratic primary alongside other candidates like David Alcon, Priscilla Benally, and Johnny Valdez, in addition to Torrez's initial filing.

• Paul L Spencer — Candidate for New Mexico House of Representatives District 6 in NM

  Paul L. Spencer is a Republican candidate for New Mexico House of Representatives District 6 in the 2026 primary election. He aims to make a positive difference by growing the economy, enhancing public safety, and fostering community well-being. Spencer is pro-life, advocates for traditional family values and parental rights, and seeks to reduce violent crime, including carjackings and auto theft. He is a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment, opposes mandated electric vehicles, and plans to improve local infrastructure and healthcare access while tackling issues like poverty, government overreach, and the cost of groceries. He is not an incumbent.