Santa Fe New Mexican
05/02/2024

The first jolt of primary season comes a month before the election. State Sen. Siah Correa Hemphill is ending her candidacy for a second term.

"I am not going to be running in the general election," she told me in a phone call. "I will withdraw on June 5, the day after the primary."

She is the only Democratic candidate on the primary ballot in Senate District 28, stretching across the southwestern section of the state.

Correa Hemphill, D-Silver City, said she has employment opportunities as a school psychologist, and she has to pursue them in the interest of financial stability for her family.

New Mexico legislators do not receive a base salary, and Correa Hemphill gave up a well-paying job in the education system after winning election to the Senate four years ago. Her decision to leave the workforce to devote attention to her legislative responsibilities left her husband, Jay, as the family's breadwinner.

Jay Hemphill works in the marketing and communications office of Western New Mexico University. In her capacity as a senator, Correa Hemphill has been critical of the university's president, Joseph Shepard, because of his expenditures, notably for international travel.

Her voice cracking with emotion, Correa Hemphill said she is unsure if she will finish her first term, which ends in January, or resign earlier. She said she has summer session employment possibilities at schools in and around Silver City.

After Correa Hemphill's withdrawal from the general election, Democratic Party regulars will choose a replacement candidate.

Republicans in District 28 are set to nominate Gabriel Ramos in the primary. Formerly a Democrat, Ramos held the Senate seat for part of a term after he being appointed to fill a vacancy.

Liberal Democrats targeted Ramos for defeat after he voted to keep on the books a 1969 law criminalizing abortion. The progressive wing of the party recruited Correa Hemphill, who trounced Ramos in the 2020 primary election.

Smarting from defeat, Ramos backed Republican Jimbo Williams in the general election. Williams ran an error-filled, mud-slinging campaign that came close to succeeding. Correa Hemphill defeated him in a tight race.

As the 2024 election approached, Ramos knew he could never defeat Correa Hemphill in a primary. He switched to the Republican Party in hopes of returning to the Senate.

Ramos would have been an underdog against Correa Hemphill. His chances of winning likely will improve as Democratic regulars decide on a replacement candidate who will have a late start on fundraising.

In the Senate, Correa Hemphill specialized on budget matters and bringing money for public works projects to an impoverished part of the state.

"I'm proud that in my first term I was appointed to the Senate Finance and Legislative Finance Committees, positioning me with a strong voice to advocate for the needs of our community," she said.

She advocated and had success in getting raises for teachers, more money for schools and funding for the Center of Excellence of Early Childhood for Western New Mexico University.

Legislators from rural areas often have to work harder than most to obtain funding for public works projects. Correa Hemphill had an exceptionally good session this year in securing money for her region.

Almost $100 million was set aside to improve U.S. 180 in Southern New Mexico. She also obtained $1.6 million for Bayard's sewer treatment plant.

Another 1.5 million was dedicated to training in child well-being for foster-care families and employees of the Children Youth and Families Department.

Child care was an important issue for Correa Hemphill a decade before she ever thought about running for office.

Her son Nicholas has Rothmund-Thomson syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. He requires round-the-clock care. Correa Hemphill and her husband also have two other sons at home.

Deciding against another campaign for the Senate was a wrenching decision, she said, but she has to explore career opportunities to help her family.

Correa Hemphill on Wednesday evening phoned Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to disclose her decision not to seek reelection.

Democrats control the state Senate 27-15. Correa Hemphill's departure improves the Republican Party's chances of picking up a seat that has long been in Democratic hands.

Ramos might be hit hard for switching parties, but he's not alone in that regard.

Correa Hemphill once was a Republican. She says she shifted her alliance because Democrats cared more about helping people.