Senator Cindy Nava – New Mexico

Cindy Nava is a Democratic state senator representing District 9 in New Mexico, which includes parts of Bernalillo and Sandoval counties. She is a proud immigrant and lifelong policy advocate, born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and raised in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. Her parents, a construction worker and a housekeeper, came to the United States seeking a better life for their children. Nava grew up in a working‑class, undocumented household, experiences that shaped her commitment to economic justice, education, and immigrant rights.

Nava is among the first Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients elected to a state legislature in the United States. She was accepted into DACA in 2016 and later became a naturalized U.S. citizen through marriage. Before entering the legislature, she served as an executive director of education and advocacy organizations and later as a senior policy adviser at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development , where she worked on expanding affordable housing and addressing homelessness.

Nava won the Democratic primary for the New Mexico State Senate and defeated Audrey Trujillo in the general election. She assumed office on January 1, 2025, and continues to serve as a senator representing District 9.

Education

Cindy Nava earned an associate degree in education from Santa Fe Community College. She then completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Master of Science in educational leadership and policy at the University of New Mexico. She was the first in her family to graduate high school and college. Nava has also been recognized with several awards, including the UNM Raza Excellence Outstanding Student Award and the Mano Del Norte Rising Woman Award.

Political Experience

• *New Mexico State Senator *: Elected in 2024 and sworn into office on January 1, 2025. She represents portions of Bernalillo and Sandoval counties, including suburban and urban communities around Albuquerque.
• Legislative Leadership: In her first legislative session, Nava successfully passed a bipartisan bill allowing lawful permanent residents and DACA recipients to serve as police officers, reflecting her focus on immigration and workforce inclusion.
• Committee Assignment: Senator Nava serves on the Legislative Finance Committee, which plays a central role in shaping the state budget and fiscal policy.
• Prior Policy and Advocacy Roles:
  • Executive Director of Transform Education New Mexico, where she led efforts to advance education reform aligned with the cultural heritage of New Mexico’s diverse communities.
  • Executive Director of Learning Alliance NM and Chief Administrative Officer at the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.
  • Community Engagement Fellow with ENLACE‑New Mexico, focused on civic participation and community organizing.
• Federal Experience: Before returning to New Mexico to run for office, Nava served as Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of Field Policy and Management at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she worked on expanding HUD resources, addressing homelessness, and supporting Tribal partnerships.

Through her work in the state legislature and prior policy roles, Cindy Nava has established herself as a prominent voice on affordable housing, education, health care access, and immigrant rights in New Mexico.