
Manuel (Manny) Lardizabal
Republican | New Mexico
Candidate Profile
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Manuel (Manny) Lardizabal
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary, Special Primary SD33
Race
Lt. Governor
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
Western New Mexico University, Silver City, Criminal Justice
New Mexico Corrections Department, Santa Fe
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Beeville
Leadership & Ministry Training Programs, Online
WORK & MILITARY
Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Administrative Officer & Community Service Officer
High Desert Family Services, Treatment foster care Group Home Supervisor
The Bair Foundation Child & Family Ministries, Homebase Provider & Advocate
Active Solutions Inc, Homebase Provider & Advocate for seniors with disabilities
AFFILIATIONS
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program Advisory Council (Bernalillo/Albuquerque, NM, Board of Advisory, 2024-
New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Program, Advisory board
Treatment Foster Care & Disability Support Programs, Group homes administration supervisor
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
NM Senate seat district 26, 2020-
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Agree
I firmly believe that taxpayer dollars should never be used to fund abortion providers or organizations like Planned Parenthood that perform or promote abortions. Every human life is sacred and deserving of protection from conception to natural death.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
the intentional termination of a pregnancy for non-medical reasons—should not be allowed at any stage of pregnancy because every child in the womb has a right to life. When the life of the mother is directly endangered, in cases of rape, or in cases of incest. Even in these tragic circumstances, I believe the best approach is to support the mother with compassionate care, counseling, and life-affirming resources rather than ending the life of the unborn child.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
I wholeheartedly agree. Every human life is a sacred gift from God, worthy of dignity and legal protection from the moment of conception until natural death. Upholding the sanctity of life is not only a moral and spiritual duty, but also the foundation of a just and compassionate society. As we stand for life, we affirm the value of every child, every mother, and every person created in God’s image.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
I wholeheartedly agree. Every human life, from the moment of conception—no matter how it begins—has inherent value and dignity because each person is made in the image of God. Protecting embryos created through artificial means reflects our moral responsibility to honor life at every stage. As science advances, our compassion and ethical standards must advance with it, always guided by the truth that life is sacred and worthy of protection.
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
I agree that laws like the Comstock Act should be applied according to their original intent to protect life and uphold moral standards in our nation. As a society, we have a responsibility to defend the most vulnerable, including the unborn. Enforcing existing laws that restrict the spread of abortion-inducing drugs is one important way to honor both life and the rule of law. From a Christian perspective, we’re called to choose life and promote a culture that values compassion, healing, and acc
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
To me, “separation of church and state” means that the government must not establish an official religion, control the church, or interfere with anyone’s free exercise of faith—and likewise, the church as an institution does not hold governmental power. This principle protects religious liberty for all people, ensuring that every person can worship (or not worship) according to their conscience without government coercion.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
I respectfully disagree with the idea that individuals or businesses should be required to provide services that violate their moral or religious beliefs. In a free and diverse society, respecting conscience is essential. Religious liberty is a foundational right—not just for people of faith, but for all citizens—because it safeguards the freedom to live and work according to deeply held convictions. People should never be forced by the government to act against their sincerely held beliefs.
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
The Chinese Communist Party represents one of the most significant strategic threats to the United States today. Its aggression extends beyond borders, targeting our national security through cyber espionage, intellectual property theft, and influence over critical supply chains.Standing up to the Chinese Communist Party isn’t just a federal issue—it’s a matter of safeguarding our jobs, our technology, and our freedom here at home.
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes, the United States’ relationship with Israel is critically important to U.S. national security and foreign policy. It is widely regarded as one of America’s most strategically vital partnerships, anchored in shared democratic values, deep security cooperation, and mutual economic interests.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
healthcare is an important moral and social responsibility that reflects our commitment to caring for one another, especially the most vulnerable. I support option B — ensuring that those who want and need government-supported healthcare can access it, while also preserving and encouraging private healthcare options.This approach maintains individual freedom and personal choice, encourages innovation through private providers, and ensures that no one is left without essential medical.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Neutral
While the intention behind creating a government medical database—to understand and address the economic burden of treating ongoing illnesses—is understandable, this proposal raises significant ethical and Christian concerns that must be seriously considered.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
rather than mandating higher minimum wages through government force, we should focus on creating conditions where wages naturally rise through job creation, economic growth, and every person having the opportunity to earn through hard work.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
I completely agree. Free enterprise and the right to private property are not only cornerstones of a healthy economy but also align with biblical principles of stewardship and personal responsibility.
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
1. Zero-Based Budgeting: Require every department to justify each dollar spent rather than automatically renewing previous budgets. This ensures spending reflects present needs, not outdated habits. 2.Independent Audits and Transparency: Conduct regular audits of all state agencies and make results publicly available. 3.Reducing Bureaucracy: Streamline overlapping programs and agencies to cut red tape and eliminate duplication of effort.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Disagree
I do not support the existence of sanctuary cities.I believe the rule of law must be respected and applied consistently across our state. Allowing sanctuary cities undermines our legal system and makes it harder for law enforcement to keep our communities safe.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
I believe decisions about education are best made as close to students and families as possible. Local communities and states understand the unique needs of their schools far better than Washington bureaucrats. While I support streamlining or even eliminating unnecessary federal oversight through the Department of Education, I also recognize the importance of maintaining accountability and ensuring every child—regardless of zip code—has access to quality education.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
Yes, foreign governments should be prohibited from directly funding American education—or at the very least, their contributions should be subject to strict transparency requirements and national security vetting.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
The goal of the criminal justice system should be restorative justice that balances accountability with redemption—protecting society while offering offenders the opportunity to change, reflecting God’s heart of both justice and mercy.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely. Protecting children from sexual exploitation online is not only a government responsibility—it’s a moral duty. As a society grounded in faith, family, and freedom, we must ensure that every child can learn, grow, and connect in a safe digital environment. That means holding platforms accountable, enforcing strong laws against predators, and supporting parents with the tools they need to safeguard their children.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
The United States was founded on the rule of law rooted in the Constitution—not on any foreign religious code. Our legal system must remain grounded in American values, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.Sharia law, or any other system that conflicts with those constitutional principles, has no place within our legal framework.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I believe the Second Amendment is a fundamental right that safeguards all other rights. Law-abiding citizens should never be punished or restricted for exercising their right to defend themselves, their families, and their property.That said, protecting public safety is also a priority.Responsible gun ownership, education, and accountability are key. Our goal should always be to promote both safety and freedom—ensuring that constitutional rights are preserved while keeping our communities secure
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
I would describe myself as a person whose views are shaped by faith, principle, and a commitment to both freedom and responsibility. I believe in promoting strong families, thriving communities, and a healthy economy where hard work and integrity are rewarded. My approach to social and foreign policy is guided by a respect for life, liberty, and our nation’s founding values, with a deep commitment to protecting religious freedom and upholding moral truth in public service.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
Absolutely. Parents play the primary and most important role in shaping their children’s lives. Government should respect and support that responsibility by empowering families—not replacing them—in decisions about health care, education, and overall well-being.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
I believe every child deserves to be protected, not politicized. Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex are deeply harmful and violate the trust and innocence that adults are called to guard. Children are not capable of making permanent decisions about their bodies or identities, and no amount of ideology changes the fundamental truth of God’s design—male and female, created in His image.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
I wholeheartedly agree. Marriage is not a social construct or a government invention—it is a sacred covenant established by God between one man and one woman. This divine design forms the foundation of strong families, healthy communities, and a moral society. While government may regulate civil aspects of marriage, it has no authority to redefine what God has already defined.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
Personally, I do not support the expansion of gambling in our state. While I understand that some see it as a source of revenue, I believe it often brings more harm than good to families and communities.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs are rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and the teachings of the Bible. I believe faith should guide both character and conduct, shaping how we serve others with integrity, compassion, and humility. Core values such as honesty, respect, forgiveness, and love for our neighbors are central to my daily life. I strive to reflect Christ’s example in my leadership and decision-making—seeking wisdom through prayer, acting with grace, and promoting unity wherever possible.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
I believe that protecting the integrity of our elections is essential to maintaining trust in our democratic process. Requiring a valid photo ID to vote is a common-sense safeguard—just like we already do for boarding a plane, cashing a check, or buying certain products.Voter ID laws aren’t about making it harder to vote; they’re about making sure every legal vote counts and that no one’s voice is diluted by fraud or error.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Disagree
I believe justice should be rooted in equality — not division. Every person deserves opportunity based on their individual character, effort, and contribution, not on their race. While our nation must always strive to right wrongs and expand opportunity, policies that assign value or compensation based on race move us backward, not forward.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
I believe in protecting fairness, safety, and common sense. Biological males should not be permitted to compete in women’s sports or occupy spaces specifically designated for biological women, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, or shelters.Women have fought hard for equal opportunity and protections under the law, and those advances must be preserved. This isn’t about exclusion—it’s about ensuring every person is respected while maintaining the integrity of women’s rights, privacy, and safety.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Disagree
While I believe we should always be good stewards of God’s creation and safeguard our environment for future generations, I also recognize that proposed climate policies must be grounded in sound science, economic reality, and energy independence. America leads best by innovation, not regulation — through clean technology, responsible energy production, and empowering local solutions instead of crippling federal mandates. We can protect our planet and strengthen our economy at the same time .
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe natural gas is the most reliable energy source. It provides consistent 24/7 power, keeps our energy costs lowest in America, and complements our renewables to meet growing demand while keeping the lights on for all New Mexicans.
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