Jennifer Taylor, Sandoval County Treasurer, has been elected secretary of the National Association of Hispanic County Officials, placing a local official in a leadership role within a national caucus that shapes county-level policy priorities for Hispanic communities across the United States.

The caucus focuses on issues affecting Latino constituents, and Taylor’s elevation to secretary offers a channel for Sandoval County perspectives to inform broader policy discussions. According to the association’s recent meetings, discussions have spanned immigration, mental health, environmental justice and education — areas that carry immediate implications for residents of Sandoval County and for counties across New Mexico.

For local officials, the role opens opportunities to elevate Sandoval County experiences in federal and national conversations that help determine funding priorities and program design. Immigration policy debates at the national level ripple into county services, ranging from public health and mental health supports to school systems that serve growing and diverse student populations. Environmental justice concerns intersect with local land use, water management and public health challenges that are particularly salient in New Mexico’s mixed urban, rural and tribal landscapes.

Taylor has stressed the importance of bringing New Mexico’s county perspective into national conversations. That focus aligns with county leaders’ long-standing calls for policy frameworks that reflect the distinctive legal, cultural and economic context of the Southwest — where border dynamics, tribal sovereignty, bilingual education needs and rural healthcare access intersect in complex ways.

The appointment also bolsters Sandoval County’s connections to a network of Hispanic county officials nationwide, which can provide technical resources, model policies and advocacy support. Those connections may strengthen the county’s capacity to compete for federal grants, coordinate cross-jurisdictional initiatives and share best practices on community mental health programs, school outreach, environmental remediation and other priorities named by the caucus.

Residents are likely to see the effects of this representation over time through county initiatives shaped by lessons and policy proposals emerging from the association’s work. For elected leaders and agency staff, Taylor’s role means a direct line to caucus deliberations where county-level implications of state and federal policies are debated and prioritized.

As the association continues to set policy priorities that reflect Latino constituents’ needs, Sandoval County stands to benefit from improved visibility in national policy discussions and from practical tools that support local implementation. Taylor’s secretaryship signals a push for county-driven approaches to the pressing social and environmental issues affecting communities across New Mexico.