Rio Rancho businessman Zac Anaya challenges incumbent for District 60

Zac Anaya, a Rio Rancho businessman and real estate agent recruiter for The Perry Group, announced on Jan. 13 that he will run for the New Mexico House seat representing District 60, setting up a contest with incumbent Joshua Hernandez. District 60 covers a large swath of Rio Rancho up to the Sandoval County line, making the race a focal point for voters in the city’s faster-growing neighborhoods.

Anaya framed his campaign around a message of local responsiveness and practical problem solving. “I love this community, and I am running because District 60 deserves representation that is present, responsive, and grounded in real life,” he said in a news release. “I believe New Mexico can be safer, stronger, and more affordable, and I believe we can get there with leadership that listens first and delivers.” He also thanked Hernandez, who has served in the Legislature since 2021.

Anaya’s announced platform lists seven priorities: public safety, affordability, water and growth, the workforce, health care, small business, and government. His professional work in real estate recruitment positions him to speak to housing and workforce issues that many Rio Rancho residents cite as daily concerns. He also highlighted his sobriety from drug addiction as part of his personal story and said recovery has shaped his desire to push for practical solutions.

The challenge adds a new dynamic to a district represented by Hernandez, a Republican lawmaker with legislative experience since 2021. Incumbents generally benefit from name recognition and established networks, but challengers can gain traction by aligning campaign priorities with emerging local issues. For District 60 voters, the immediate questions will be how each candidate proposes to address public safety and affordability while balancing continued growth and water supply pressures that accompany Rio Rancho’s expansion toward the Sandoval County line.

Local implications extend beyond policy lists. Campaigns that emphasize presence and responsiveness can change how constituents engage with their representative offices, from constituent services to public meetings. For small business owners and workers in Rio Rancho, the race will also signal which candidate prioritizes local economic supports and workforce development. Health care and government efficiency are likely to be frequent topics at neighborhood forums and town halls.

The entry of a local businessperson with ties to housing markets and a personal recovery narrative is likely to sharpen debates over practical, on-the-ground solutions versus broader ideological positions. Expect both campaigns to outline specific proposals in coming weeks and for voter outreach to intensify as the filing and primary calendar approaches.

The takeaway? Pay attention to the details beyond slogans — ask candidates how they will address safety, housing affordability, water planning and workforce needs in Rio Rancho, and look for chances to hear them in person at town halls and candidate events. Our two cents? Show up, ask the hard questions, and hold whoever wins to the promise of being present and responsive.