B e n   Ro d e f e r      New Mexico State Representative, District 23      Home               Events               Donate              Volunteer               District               Contact Benjamin Rodefer welcoming home our brave New Mexico troops from Afghanistan Click here to take the District Survey   What people are saying about our first-term State Representative Benjamin Rodefer: "We trust you because we believe you are guided by ethics and not simply politics." -Fraternal Order of Police "When it counted, you were there for our students and our schools" -NEA NM “…largely due to heroic efforts by Rep. Ben Rodefer.” –nmpolitics  “A real life David vs. Goliath victory.” –ABQ Journal   “We are extremely grateful to you.”  -New Mexico Fire Fighters   “A true champion for education.” –Albuquerque Teachers Federation   "Thank you for your work on behalf of New Mexico's children and families." -NM Voices for Children   “Rep. Benjamin Rodefer led the charge in the House, and this victory would not have been possible without his passion and perseverance. As a result of his single-minded dedication, precious tax dollars will go where they belong – health care, education and environmental protection – instead of subsidizing out-of-state developers.”         -Conservation Voters New Mexico 2009 Scorecard (Ben received a perfect 100%) Thank you Corrales and the Westside for allowing me to represent you.  I am working hard to make the best of the limited resources we have in these difficult times.  I will continue to fight the entrenched powers that be in Santa Fe and do everything I can to create more fiscally sound and ethical government, protect and improve our education and health care systems, and vigorously encourage energy independence and good new jobs. OUR FUTURE!        Speaking at the green jobs and green energy bill signing with Governor Richardson See State Representative Benjamin Rodefer speaking on Earth Day With US Senator Jeff Bingaman at the UNM Taos Solar Array Benjamin Rodefer: • Grew up in Corrales  • Father was a Professor at UNM • Worked on President Jimmy Carter's 1976 election campaign when he was 13 • Attended Taylor and Cibola before Cornell University, where he studied Government and Physics  • Was US Senator Jeff Bingaman's first intern • Worked with Congressman Ron Dellums (D-CA), the current Mayor of Oakland, CA • Founded Rio Grande Solar • Founded GoBox Software • Founded ModernArts & ModernSculpture.com • Was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2008 • Serves on the Energy, Tax & Revenue, MFA, and NMFA Committees Where I stand: Education: We need to be teaching our children for life, not for tests.  No Child Left Behind is actually leaving every child behind.  We absolutely must get back to providing our children with a strong, well balanced, comprehensive  education, and let our wonderful teachers focus on doing their job, not on relentless assessments & testing. Equality: The pledge of Allegiance says "With liberty and justice for all."  It does not says with liberty and justice for some, or only those we agree with, or only those who look or act like us.  The equal protection of the law must extend to everyone. Health Care: We must find an affordable way to offer quality health care to EVERYONE, no exceptions.  We have to stop merely throwing more wasted money at the problem and actually sit down, do the necessary hard work, and solve it. Environment: I will work hard to protect and preserve our natural resources.  It is absolutely imperative that we as a society move away from gas and coal based energy policies.  I will vigorously advocate for clean energy, green building, greater fuel efficiency and stricter emissions standards.  I will fight tirelessly to protect the Rio Grande Basin, its Bosque and our water. Infrastructure/Economy:  Our economy will never grow in the 21st century unless we expand and repair our deteriorating infrastructure needs, and to begin to do that we need to keep our money here at home.  12 Billion dollars a week is being spent in Iraq.  Billions more are sent over to our enemies to purchase oil.  We deserve energy independence.  That money can be much better spent here in America: creating good jobs, repairing and expanding our roads, bridges and other infrastructure, paying our teachers, police and firefighters good wages, building new schools and hospitals (and providing them with the very best staff, equipment and supplies), investing in clean sustainable alternative energy sources, providing health care for our children and retirees, providing services for the disadvantaged and at-risk, and boosting and building our own economy. Crime:  We need to provide our law enforcement staff with the best modern equipment and technology.  We need to provide our judges and prosecutors with clear legal statutes and sentencing guidelines.  We need to provide our non-violent offenders with effective treatment programs so they have an opportunity to rejoin our society in a positive and contributing capacity.  It does a great disservice not only to the offenders but to our community to simply lock them up for their sentence and then kick them back out onto the street.  We can do better. Spending:  I am fighting for qualitatively better results from our hard earned tax dollars.  We deserve complete transparency in how the government spends our hard earned tax dollars.  Our government should be as careful with its money as we are.  All government contracts should require an open, fair and competitive bidding process.  Not a penny should be wasted. Together we can bring real change home to New Mexico.  This is our time. With our daughters Melina and Natalie at the library - education is a top priority "I have known Ben to have the ability and commitment needed to serve the public and the constituents of House District 23.  He is fighting for health care for all, renewable energy development and good, high-paying jobs. Please join me in supporting Ben Rodefer."   -  United States Senator Jeff Bingaman “Ben Rodefer grew up on the Westside and has a deep understanding of the issues here.  He has shown that he is a hard worker who represents the interests of the people and the community first.  Ben is an effective legislator for the people of House District 23.”  - United States Senator Tom Udall "I support Benjamin Rodefer for State Representative. Raised on the Westside and now bringing up his own family there, Ben cares deeply for this community. He stands up on the tough issues New Mexico faces—schools, health care, renewable energy and jobs."  - Lt. Governor Diane Denish "This is our community and our home, and together we can make it a better place for all of us.  Please join me in this vital fight."

Ben Rodefer...One of us - He's working for us. ¡UNO DE LOS NUESTROS!

©2008-2010  Paid for by Ben Rodefer for New Mexico