Steven E Tafoya

Republican | New Mexico

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Candidate Profile

Steven E Tafoya — State Representative, District 12 (New Mexico Republican Primary, Special Primary SD33 | June 2, 2026)
State Representative, District 12 New Mexico General | November 3, 2026
Ratings & research below apply to this race only — Select to see 1 other races

Leans Conservative

BIOGRAPHY

EDUCATION

New Mexico Highlands University, Albuquerque, Masters, 2019-2021

WORK & MILITARY

United States Army Reserves, Staff Sgt, 2008-2021

Rio Contractor,LLC, CEO, 2006-2026

AFFILIATIONS

Veterans of Foreign Wars, New Mexico State Chaplin, 2012-2026

American Legion, Member, 2012-2026

Knights of Columbus, Grand knight, 2004-2005

Southwest Organizing Project, Co-Chair, 2022-2023

Wounded Warrior, Member, 2012-2026

Bernalillo County Republican Party, SCC, 2026-2026

Combat Veterans motorcycle Association, State Quarter master, 2018-2026

Legacy Church, Volunteer, 2018-2025

POLITICAL OFFICES HELD

Candidate did not provide

POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT

New Mexico State,House of Representatives District 12, 2026-

ENDORSEMENTS

REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)

Senator David Gallegos

New Mexico State candidate for Senator Larry Marker

New Mexico State Secretary candidate Ramona Goolsby

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

Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?

When the mother‘s life is at risk for loss of life .

Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.

Strongly Agree

The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.

Choose not to answer

The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.

Strongly Agree


ECONOMY

What is your position on the minimum wage?

As the cost of living grows, wages should match.

Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.

Strongly Agree

List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.

Holding accountability Audits and monitoring Open communication


RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?

I believe this means the government shall not interfere in a person‘s right to worship. The government shall not support any one church or create a Universal church where everyone must attend. The Bible states in the New Testament ran under Caesar, what a Caesar and unto God what is God’s. Therefore these institutions have different authorities, methods, and purposes.

Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.

Choose not to answer


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.

I am not in favor of defunding healthcare for anyone. We must have healthcare from birth until death for everyone and it should be affordable for all.

The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.

Strongly Disagree


NATIONAL SECURITY

The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.

Strongly Agree

Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?

Israel is one of our closest allies.


IMMIGRATION

I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.

Strongly Disagree


EDUCATION

I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.

Strongly Agree

Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.

Strongly Agree


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

Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.

Strongly Agree

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 support the expansion of gambling in my state.

Choose not to answer

Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.

I am a Christian.


ELECTIONS AND VOTING

People should be able to vote without photo identification.

Strongly Disagree

We need to have valid voter IDs with a picture to eliminate voter fraud


EQUALITY

Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.

Choose not to answer

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


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.

Agree

What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?

We are currently using fossil fuels and a combination of wind and solar, and in some places nuclear, all of these have benefits and drawbacks.


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?

Conservative

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


CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY

What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?

To protect the citizens, prosecuting the criminals to the fullest extent of the law, and not allowing them to plea their way out of the consequences for their criminal actions and behaviors.

Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.

Strongly Agree

Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.

Strongly Agree


2ND AMENDMENT

What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?

To keep felons from owning and possessing Firearms .

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