Abby Foster

Abby Foster earned a high school diploma from Fort Hill High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in 2003, a law degree from Penn State University, Dickinson School of Law in 2008, and a degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 2015. Her career experience includes working as an attorney and small business owner.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Abby Foster is an attorney, former legislative analyst, and mother of two raising her family in District 27. Her career has centered around public service and helping others navigate complex systems. She's helped lawmakers understand policy issues, represented children, adults with disabilities, families, and worked on policy for the CABQ. She's also spent years knocking doors, listening to neighbors, and advocating for candidates and causes she believes in. Her personal outreach shaped the campaign's priorities.

Foster is running because District 27 needs real representation. Her opponent, Marian Matthews, was the House's most absent member last year and top five this year. Matthews often says one thing but either votes against our interests or avoids taking a position by not showing up. She voted against paid sick leave during COVID, paid family and medical leave, workers' compensation, early childhood funding, and lobbying transparency. She also takes money from major Trump donors, including NextEra Energy, who helped fund the demolition of the White House East Wing and Trump Ballroom. This year, she sponsored legislation with Republicans far more often than Democrats.

It's time for change.

Sources:

https://login.cfis.sos.state.nm.us/#/index

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/BillFinder/Number

HB 20 (2021), HB 164 (2026), HB 11 (2025) HB 143 (2025), HB 84 (2025), HB 78 (2025), HB 243 (2022), HB 45 (2020), SB 23 (2025)

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Affordable Housing: Housing costs are rising too fast and working families are struggling. Everyone deserves a safe, stable, affordable place to live. Abby supports rent control in mobile home parks, incentives for multifamily housing, sustainable housing options for people of all ages, and legal requirements to keep new housing affordable.

Marian Matthews will likely tout housing bills she sponsored, but all of those bills failed. She works more often with Republicans than members of her own caucus and that has left her ineffective at delivering results. Matthews has been in office for six years and she hasn't passed one housing bill in the NM House of Representatives.

Source: https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/BillFinder/SponsorChild Wellbeing, Schools, and CYFD: Our children deserve safe schools, strong support, and a system that works for families. Abby supports equitable access to education, real reform at CYFD, stronger staff retention in schools and child-serving systems, better pathways into CYFD careers, and proper heating and cooling in public schools.

Abby fully supports the autonomy of educators, teachers, boards, families, and local communities, professional development funding, equal educational opportunity, public money for public schools only, and many other pro-educator/children stances.

Alternatively, Marian Matthews voted against school funding, given public money to a private school, and is absent when it comes to our underserved communities.Healthcare

Abby supports addressing doctor shortages, strengthening independent practices, increasing rural healthcare access and funding, pushing back on monopoly insurance practices, and supporting paid family and medical leave, including up to 12 weeks to care for a close family member.

Marian Matthews voted against paid sick leave during COVID, lowering prescription drug costs, and paid family and medical leave. This year she took money from big pharma and insurance companies.

Source: https://login.cfis.sos.state.nm.us/

- Pharmaceutical Research and

Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)

- UnitedHealth Group

- New Mexico Dental Pac, 1665

- Presbyterian Health Plan

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a mother of two and advocate for children, Abby Foster is most passionate about policy that affects children and their futures.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Organizations

- American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees, Council 18

- Equality New Mexico

- Semilla Action

- Young Democrats of New Mexico

Elected Leaders

- NM State Senator Harold Pope

- City of ABQ Councilor Stephanie Telles

- City of ABQ Councilor Joaquin Baca

- Albuquerque Public Schools Board Member Warigia Bowman

- Fmr. NM State Senator Brenda McKenna

- Fmr. City of Albuquerque Councilor Diane Gibson

Abby Foster did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2023 Candidate Connection survey.