Chavez to Face Curtis in District 31 Election
Incumbent Republican Nicole Chavez faces Democratic challenger Lisa Curtis in a race for the Northeast Heights district.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Elections
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Republican incumbent Nicole Chavez and Democratic challenger Lisa Curtis are set to compete for the New Mexico House of Representatives District 31 seat on November 3, 2026. The contest represents a critical race within the Northeast Heights area of Albuquerque.
Why it matters
The election will determine who represents District 31, with both candidates highlighting platforms centered on healthcare, business, and juvenile justice reform. The outcome could shift political representation for the area, as Chavez currently stands as the sole Republican house member in Albuquerque.
Democratic challenger Lisa Curtis has raised nearly $600,000 for her campaign, while incumbent Republican Nicole Chavez has raised nearly $300,000. These figures reflect record-level spending for a New Mexico state house election.
The players
Nicole Chavez
She is the incumbent Republican representative for District 31 and the only Republican house member currently representing Albuquerque.
Lisa Curtis
She is a medical malpractice attorney and the Democratic challenger seeking the House seat for District 31.
The details
Candidates are actively campaigning across District 31 in Albuquerque to secure voter support before the November election. Chavez, who works in healthcare administration, and Curtis, a medical malpractice attorney, are both focusing on policy priorities including business growth and juvenile justice reform.
Timeline
The election for the District 31 seat takes place on November 3, 2026.
Political Context
This race follows a pattern of escalating campaign finance expenditures within the constraints set by the New Mexico House of Representatives campaign finance regulations. Opponents argue that the surge in outside capital undermines the local focus of district-level representative politics.
Voters in the Northeast Heights area will see changes in how their district is represented based on which policy platform prevails. This election directly impacts local representation regarding future healthcare, business, and justice reform legislation.
The takeaway
Voters should review the specific policy positions of both candidates to understand how their legislative priorities align with district needs. Paying attention to campaign platforms on healthcare and juvenile justice will be essential for voters heading to the polls.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming races, visit the Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.
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