Sen. Gay G. Kernan, R-Hobbs, is officially announcing her candidacy for reelection to the New Mexico Senate representing District 42.
Kernan says she considers it a privilege to have represented District 42 for the past 12 years. The district reaches into three counties, primarily Lea County but also including Eddy and Chaves counties.
The senator pledges to continue to focus on issues of importance to the constituents of her district. During her time in the Senate, she has worked to improve education in New Mexico by encouraging the development of a fair teacher evaluation system, supported increased funding for early childhood education, and has addressed the inequities of the school funding formula as it relates to the distribution of dollars to schools in Southeast New Mexico.
Kernan will continue to address the challenges of providing access to healthcare for all New Mexicans and recognizes that Southeast New Mexico has a critical shortage of primary and specialty care providers. She has supported legislation that will enhance the ability of the state to recruit and retain healthcare providers to rural New Mexico.
As New Mexico must address its behavioral health crisis, Kernan is also committed to assisting those organizations that are rebuilding services for those needing treatment.
Kernan serves as the ranking member on the Senate Education Committee and as a member of the Senate Public Affairs Committee. During the interim, she serves on the Legislative Education Study Committee, the Health and Human Services Committee, and the Radioactive and Hazardous Materials Committee. She is also a member of the Energy Council, a national organization that includes representation from energy-producing states.
She has been a resident of Hobbs and Lea County since 1954. She is a 1965 graduate of Hobbs High School and a 1969 graduate of the University of Mississippi. As a former educator, Kernan feels she has the insight and experience to assess and direct policy that will give every child the opportunity to succeed and become a productive contributor to society. As a small business owner, she says she understands New Mexico depends on the success of small businesses across the state.
She is married to Dr. John Kernan, who has been a practicing physician in Lea County for more than 37 years.
Kernan says she looks forward to continuing her work for District 42 by listening to her constituents’ needs and concerns. She appreciates the support she has received in the past and will strive to earn that support in the future.
