Nava claims victory, makes history

Published November 6th, 2024 at 1:50 pm

Cindy Nava made history on Election Day, becoming the first former Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient to win during a general election in the U.S, according to her campaign. 

Nava, a Bernalillo resident who was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, beat Republican Audrey Trujillo 55% to 45% for the Senate District 9 seat, according to unofficial election results posted on the New Mexico secretary of state’s website. 

Nava will replace incumbent Democrat Brenda McKenna, who decided not to run again for the seat.

“When we embarked on this journey 10 months ago, I had no idea the ride it would be. I am humbled by the voter’s trust and excited and, more than anything, ready to get to work,” Nava said on Election Day. “I also couldn’t be more proud to be the first DACA recipient in the country to win elected office. It’s my job now to make sure I’m the first of many to come. We need our voices in elected office. We need our stories defining policy. Today is an exciting day for me personally, but it’s an exciting step for New Mexico and a country that is ready to embrace its immigrant future.”

The DACA program gives federal protection to children who are brought into the country illegally. Nava has since become a citizen of the United States. 

“My goal is to build our own version of the American Dream — a place where every family has a safe home and neighborhood, every woman has freedom over her health care decisions, every child gets a world-class education, and all of us can afford the everyday goods and services we all need,” Nava said before the election. “That’s the vision I have for Senate District 9.”

Nava’s campaign declared victory around 9 p.m., a little over two hours after polls closed.

Nava was the first Dreamer in the country to be appointed by the White House, where she served as senior policy advisor to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Now she is headed to represent Albuquerque’s Westside, Corrales, Placitas, Bernalillo, Algodones, Sandia Pueblo and eastern Rio Rancho in Santa Fe.