By Mary Alice Murphy

Rebecca Dow of Truth or Consequences was in Silver City on Tuesday, April 12, 2016, to introduce herself to many of the residents and leaders of organizations in town.

She has announced her candidacy for New Mexico House of Representatives, District 38, which encompasses parts of Grant, Hidalgo and Sierra counties.

After current Rep. Dianne Hamilton announced her retirement, Dow decided to run for the position.

"I am really optimistic about the opportunities in District 38," Dow told the Beat. "There are some barriers related to government regulations that need to be unraveled."

She said New Mexico could be more family friendly and business friendly. "We also need to improve the way we use our natural resources. I believe this district is full of people with good ideas. They need a voice, a platform and an advocate."

Dow runs several different non-profit organizations in Sierra County. "Because they are in education, they are highly regulated in Santa Fe. I spend a lot of time in the capitol and decided I might as well have a vote."

She noted that every law, even when it seems like the best thing to do in a situation, "always has unintended consequences."

"Sometimes, the state spends money on programs that people don't even want or need," Dow said. "Did the legislators ask the parents if they wanted the program? With building regulations, did they ask the businesses if they wanted the new mandates?

"Metro areas have different problems from rural areas," Dow said. "But the same regulations are put on the rural towns as on the cities. The laws don't work in District 38."

She gave as an example when the state required counties to double the sleeping space for inmates. Buildings became unusable, and some areas, such as Silver City, lost their juvenile accommodations.

"It's rural issues versus metro issues in Santa Fe," Down said. "It's southern New Mexico versus northern New Mexico. It's agriculture versus industry. In District 38, our rural communities are the same with the same issues and problems."

She used the Children, Youth and Families Department as an example. "I'm working with CYFD on solutions for rural areas like ours. I am building relationships and partnerships. I work with a Democrat lobbyist. We can work together just fine. We can make sure that all geographical areas are represented. I think solutions can be applied to senior services, for instance. I can facilitate, give issues and residents a platform and raise awareness. On federal issue, we can raise the voice."

Dow says she feels she is well located, living in T or C. "I'm two hours from Silver City, three hours from Santa Fe, and if I want to come to Silver City to talk to people, I can catch the Boutique Air flight to Santa Fe and back. "

Her businesses include three non-profits that serve children from prenatal to 24 years of age. "We have seven sites in Sierra County. I manage the program directors. If you have questions about me and my qualifications, I encourage you to call your friends in Truth or Consequences to find out if I can do what I say I can. Ask if I can fairly represent the district. I think you will hear, 'Yes.'"

Her husband, Aaron, has a technology company that is web-based. "He's a programmer. He does a lot of work with the Department of Health. We have two kidsG