Candidate Comparison

Marian Matthews has a record of failure, not showing up, and voting against our values.

Marian Matthews has a record of failure, not showing up, and voting against our values. 

In 2025, she was the most absent legislator in the House. This year she’s still in the top five. When she does vote she votes against working and middle class families interests. 

One of the reasons she’s the most absent legislator is because she avoids votes so she doesn’t have to vote against legislation her and her corporate interests disagree with. 

This election cycle, Marian accepted donations from big pharma, oil and gas, and major Trump donors like NextEra Energy who is helping fund the White House East Wing demolition and the Trump Ballroom.¹

Marian has delivered few results. This year, none of her sponsored house bills passed. One reason for that is she aligns more often with Republicans than members of the Democratic Party. This year alone she sponsored house legislation with Republicans at a 15-2 ratio over Democrats. 

There have been instances where Marian sponsored legislation only to later vote against it, vote for gutted versions, or fail to appear when the legislation came up for final passage.

Our district deserves investment that stays in District 27. Marian has directed more discretionary and capital outlay funding outside the district than into it, including public funding for private entities.² Abby Foster is committed to changing that. Public money should go toward public projects that directly improve life for the people who live here.²ᵃ

It doesn’t stop there Marian is supported by bad faith and dark money organizations like New Chapter New Mexico, who are funneling money into our elections and funding misleading ads. They don’t disclose who donated to them or where they received their funding.

Two ads from New Chapter New Mexico have already been promoted online. One suggesting an endorsement that never happened and another labeling Marian a progressive, which she is not according to our next section.³

A political campaign poster for Abby Foster, a Democratic candidate running for State Representative in District 27. The poster features her photo on the left, showing her with glasses, long wavy hair, and a neutral background with mountains. The right side compares her donors, community commitment, policy, and support with her opponent Marian Matthews, highlighting her supporters like unions, community organizations, and residents, versus her opponent's supporters like major Trump supporters and out-of-state interests. The poster emphasizes her pro-choice stance, support for paid family and medical leave, and local community support.

Download the comparison card.

Legislation Marian Matthews Voted Against Or Absent For

Healthcare Access

  • Expand Optometry Act, HB 213 (2026)

  • Paid Family & Medical Leave Act, HB 11 (2025)

  • Lower Prescription Drug Prices, HB 78 (2025)

  • Health Care Strategic Recruitment Program, HB 15 (2025)

  • Paid Family Medical Leave, SB 3 (2024)

  • Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Act Changes, HB 181 (2024)

  • Delivery of Necessary Diabetic Resources, HB 53 (2023)

  • Employee Leasing Benefit Plans, HB 255 (2023)

  • Long-Term Care Facility Dementia Training, HB 446 (2023)

  • Alzheimer's Disease & Other Dementia Council, HB 471 (2023)

  • Health-Easy Enrollment Act, HB 95 (2022)

  • Paid Sick Leave, HB 20 (2021, during COVID)

  • Healthcare Delivery & Access Act Repeal, SB 101 (2026)

Education

  • Higher Ed. Major Projects Fund, HB 8 (2026)

  • Teacher Residency Act Changes, HB 30 (2026)

  • Oil & Gas Conservation Tax Act Changes, HB 80 (2026)

  • Oil & Gas Royalty Rate Changes, SB 23 (2025)

  • Public School Capital Outlay Grants, HB 207 (2024)

  • School Dual Credit Task Force, HB 125 (2023)

  • Hispanic Education Fund, HB 381 (2023)

  • Increase Early Childhood Fund Transfer, HB 191 (2023)

  • Podiatric Svc Cost Sharing Limits, HB 34 (2021)

  • Med School Licensure Requirements, HB 23 (2021)

  • Changes to Retiree Health Care Fund, HB 45 (2021)

  • Healthy Universal School Meals, SB 4 (2023)

Election Integrity and Safety from the Trump Admin.

  • Public Peace, Health, Safety, & Welfare, Election Rights & Troops at Elections, SB 264 (2026)

Housing and Renters

  • Mobile Home Park Sale Notices, HB 426 (2025)

  • Residential Home Building Authorization, HB 554 (2025)

Law Enforcement

  • Crime Victim Reparations Additional Crimes, HB 206 (2026)

  • Violent Felonies for Meritorious Deduction, HB 102 (2025)

  • Law Enforcement Retentions Disbursements, HB 193 (2024)

  • Crime Reduction Act Changes & Fund, HB 175 (2023)

  • Nuisance Penalties & Procedures. HB 462 (2023)

  • Second Degree Murder Time & Sentencing, HB 79 (2022)

  • Law Enforcement Retention Fund, HB 86 (2022)

Holding Lobbysist Accountable

  • Lobbying Activity Reports, HB 164 (2026)

  • Lobbying Activity Reports, HB 143 (2025)

Privacy and Protection

  • Driver Privacy and Safety Act (SB 40, 2026)

  • Consumer Information and Data Protection Act (HB 410, 2025)

  • Data Integration Advisory Committee, HB 336 (2023)

Environment

  • Water Law Violation Maximum Penalty, HB 111 (2026)

  • Carbon Dioxide Storage Stewardship Act, HB 458 (2025)

  • Water Law Violation Penalty, HB 348 (2025)

  • Safe Drinking Water Testing Fund, HB 92 (2021)

Free Speech

  • Employee Free Speech Act, HB 84 (2025)

Workers’ Compensation

  • Workers' Compensation Changes, HB 66 (2025)

  • Police Officer Workers Comp Conditions, HB 132 (2026)

  • Coronavirus & Workers Comp., HB 268 (2021)

Immigration

  • Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification. HB 15 (2023)

Children, Youth, and Families

  • Social Worker & Veterinarian Licensure, HB 384 (2023)

  • Eliminating Court Fees, HB 139 (2023)

  • Fine, Fee & Cost Payment Flexibility, HB 81 (2022)

  • Homeless Youth ID Cards, HB 127 (2021)

  • LGBTQ+ Day, HB 518 (2025)

  • Child Care Assistance Program Act, SB 241 (2026)

Accessibility, State Programs, and State Employees

  • Closed Captioning Act, HB 288 (2023)

  • Limited English Access to State Programs, HB 22 (2022)

  • Native American Language Certificate Salaries, HB 60 (2022)

  • Public Peace, Health, Safety & Welfare PERA Max Pension Amount, HB 243 (2022)

  • Public Safety Workforce Building Program, HB 255 (2026)

  • Accessibility of State Agencies, HB 120 (2025)

Capital Outlay

  • Capital Outlay Changes, HB 247 (2026)

  • Publication of Capital Outlay Allocations, HB 55 (2021)

Economy

  • Limit Property Tax Valuation Increase, HB 71 (2022)

  • Surprise Billing Protection Act Sunset Date, HB 370 (2023)

*This list is not full accounting of Marian Matthews’ votes or absences. Sources below.

Feel free to review our sources: 

  1. https://login.cfis.sos.state.nm.us/#/exploreDetails/9PxfzNZJeW4oa4yE-7rW5ZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/14/33/125/2026 

  2. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Publications/Capital_Outlay/Chart%20Funded%20Projects%20by%20Agency%20with%20Sponsor.pdf (pg. 26-27, Menaul School Cafeteria Equipment Purchase)

    1. https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/BillFinder/Capital_Outlay (2020-2026)

  3. https://www.facebook.com/ads/library/?active_status=active&ad_type=all&country=US&is_targeted_country=false&media_type=all&search_type=page&sort_data[direction]=desc&sort_data[mode]=total_impressions&view_all_page_id=903222822863816

    1. https://login.cfis.sos.state.nm.us/#/exploreCommitteeDetail/jrg5smIatefbIXSKGeZ65ZP4048PFnxLXRUfdOLcQk01/null/null/125/2026 

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/BillFinder/Number (Session: 2020-2026) (Chamber: House or Senate) (Type: Bill) (Number: 1-623; 1-378)⁴