Los Chavez
Local
Jackie Farnsworth, former Belen School Board member, announced her candidacy for state representative for District 8, which represents most of Valencia County west of the Rio Grande.
She has been a long-time volunteer and advocate for children and schools.
As a mother of seven children, all graduates of Dennis Chavez Elementary School and Belen High School, she has been a Cub Scout den mother and organizer and president of the parent-teacher organization at Dennis Chavez Elementary for many years.
She organized and headed the first anti-drug coalition in the area, called the Valencia County Chemical Abuse Task Force, which worked to alert families and children to the dangers of drugs.
After serving on numerous school committees, she was elected twice and served eight years on the Belen Board of Education.
Farnsworth said her focus in Santa Fe would be to continue advocating for children, families and schools. “I would evaluate every vote for its effect on the families of Valencia County.”
She said she would work for tax reform, better jobs and more tuition support for New Mexico students.
“The best money the government ever spends is in education, for that benefits the whole community,” she said.
Farnsworth said she would also like to see the economic structure improved to bring higher paying, clean industry to New Mexico. “We need to stop exporting our best resources, our children, to other states,” she said.
Farnsworth, married for nearly 36 years to Archie Farnsworth, has lived in New Mexico since 1970. She is a Republican and is running unopposed in the June 4 primary.
“I love the culture, climate and people here. They are so good-hearted, family-centered, and helpful,” she said. “She is currently employed by Southwest Airlines in the reservation center south of Albuquerque.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 18, 2024
