Grace Nagamine

Grace Nagamine's career experience includes working as a healthcare professional.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm Grace Nagamine, and I'm running as an Independent for New Mexico House District 51 because I believe Otero County deserves a representative who answers to neighbors, not a party.

I was raised in Alamogordo by my grandmother, Ramona Torres, who taught me faith, hard work, and that you take care of the people around you. Service runs in my family: my father served in the Air Force, and my brother, Sgt. Alfred R. Lewis, served in the Army. That's why Holloman AFB and our veterans are personal to me.

My life hasn't been easy. I've faced real hardship and made mistakes, and I know what it means to rebuild and earn a second chance. That experience shaped who I am: someone who doesn't give up on people.

I've worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Casa Arena, and for more than ten years I've served in the nursery at Mountain View Church. I founded Royal Angels in honor of my granddaughter Melanie, and I was proud to serve as Mrs. New Mexico 2018–2019.

My priorities are simple: support our veterans and Holloman, care for seniors and caregivers, protect children and reform CYFD, address homelessness and mental health while backing law enforcement, grow our economy, and fix our infrastructure.

I'm not a career politician. I'm your neighbor, living the fight alongside you, and I'd be honored to be your voice in Santa Fe.

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?

I'm not running for a party; I'm running for my neighbors. Too often, decisions in Santa Fe are shaped by party leaders and insiders instead of the families who live with the results. As an Independent, I'll judge every bill by one question: is it good for District 51? I'll work with Democrats and Republicans alike when it helps our community, and I'll stand up to either side when it doesn't. You'll always know where I stand, and my door will always be open.I've lived this work, not just studied it. As a former CNA at Casa Arena and a family caregiver, I know what seniors and direct-care workers need: home-based care so people can age in place, and fair pay for the workers who make that care possible. Holloman is our economy and a third of our neighbors, so I'll protect its mission and fight for military families' housing, childcare, and spouse jobs. And I'll hold CYFD accountable with full caseworker funding and support for local kinship and foster families, so Otero County kids can stay close to home.Every other priority depends on water that runs and roads that hold up, and Otero County's infrastructure was neglected for nearly two decades. Our City has made the hard local calls. Now it's the state's turn. I'll bring real dollars home by pursuing Water Trust Board and Colonias funding, finishing the desalination pipeline for long-term water security, and fighting for steady funding so families aren't hit with sudden rate hikes. I'll also publish my capital outlay requests and their status every session. You'll see exactly where HD51's money is going.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Children and CYFD reform are closest to my heart. I've served in the nursery at Mountain View Church for more than ten years, and I founded Royal Angels in honor of my granddaughter, Melanie. Every child deserves to feel safe and loved.

Too many New Mexico kids don't. CYFD caseworkers are stretched thin, foster kids have been shuffled between offices and shelters, and Alamogordo schools count about 130 homeless students.

In Santa Fe, I'll fight for lasting caseworker funding, faster support for kinship and foster families so kids can stay close to home, and real backing for local groups like Love INC and 100% Otero that are already doing this work.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Sierra Club, NMCD2, former Mayor Susan Payne, multiple business leaders