Kenneth Brennan

Kenneth Brennan was born in Norwood, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1980 to 2000. He graduated from Cibola High School. He attended the University of Phoenix. His career experience includes working as a manager and gas turbine electrician. He has been affiliated with the North Central Regional Transportation District and the Mid Region Transportation Planning Office.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am Kenneth Donald Brennan, a U.S. Navy veteran, business leader, former Mayor of Edgewood, and community advocate running for New Mexico State Representative in House District 50.

I graduated from New Mexico’s public school system and served 20 years in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer. After my military career, I spent 23 years in the power-generation and renewable-energy industries, including 17 years in management, leading and mentoring teams of more than 230 employees. I retired from the private sector in 2023.

I have served more than four years on the Edgewood Town Commission, including 28 months as appointed Mayor. I currently serve on the North Central Regional Transportation District Board and Executive Committee; as Chair of the Mid-Region Regional Transportation Office Board; and as a board member of Workforce Connections of Central New Mexico, the Mid-Region Council of Governments, and the New Mexico Municipal League Board of Directors. I also serve with Edgewood Animal Welfare.

I am a Certified Municipal Official (CMO) through the New Mexico Municipal League and a graduate of Leadership New Mexico’s Local Government program.

My military, business, and public-service experience has taught me the importance of leadership, accountability, collaboration, and listening. I am running to bring that experience to Santa Fe, listen to the people of District 50, and work on the issues that matter to our communities.

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 believe every New Mexican should have timely access to quality healthcare. My top legislative priority is retaining and attracting physicians, specialists, nurses, and other medical professionals to New Mexico. We need to understand why healthcare professionals leave and work directly with them to develop practical solutions that make New Mexico a place where they want to practice and can afford to build a career. I also support improving access to 24/7 emergency and urgent care, particularly in rural and underserved communities such as those throughout House District 50.New Mexico must improve its education system and give every child the opportunity to succeed. We need to raise student achievement, strengthen workforce preparation, and better connect education with the needs of employers and communities. I believe parents, students, educators, and employers should have a meaningful voice in developing improvements. A stronger education system will help create a better-prepared workforce, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen New Mexico's long-term future.I bring more than 20 years of military leadership, 23 years in the power-generation and renewable-energy industries, and more than four years of local government experience, including 28 months as Mayor of Edgewood. I currently serve on multiple regional and state boards involving transportation, workforce development, local government, and animal welfare. As a Certified Municipal Official and graduate of Leadership New Mexico's Local Government program, I understand the importance of listening, collaboration, accountability, and practical solutions—and I intend to bring that experience to Santa Fe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Policies that improve the quality of life for New Mexicans and strengthen our communities. My priorities include healthcare access, retaining and attracting medical professionals and expanding 24/7 emergency care; education, giving every child the opportunity to succeed; public safety, supporting law enforcement and first responders who protect and serve our communities; infrastructure and transportation, including safe roads, water, and responsible growth; economic and workforce development, creating opportunities for businesses, workers, and families; and animal welfare, supporting shelters, adoption, and spay/neuter programs. Above all, I am passionate about listening, accountability, collaboration, and practical solutions

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father. He taught me that everyone has value and to treat people like I would want my mother treated. He always did what was in the best interest of our family

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Treating everyone with dignity and respect. Willing to listen to everyone, including those you do not agree with

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Always work in the best interest of all constituents

What legacy would you like to leave?

A New Mexico that is thriving and respected and that I did everything in my power to make that happen

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Stock boy for a dry goods ware house in Albuquerque. I worked there fo a little over a year before I joined the Navy

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

My weight has been a struggle after leaving the Navy

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

AN honest open door policy and the willingness to sit down and talk

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Water, education, medical care availability and affordability.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

If you can't compromise you walk away with nothing.

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The launch of Apollo 15. I was there to see it in person

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Moved to NM in 1975, graduated from Cibola High Class of 79. Was elected as classroom representative my Freshman year. Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer Jan 2000. Served on the USS Chandler DDG 996, USS Shiloh CG 67, Patrol Hydrofoil Squadron (PHMRON2) and two tours as an instructor at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center Gas Turbine School. Worked for GE companies for 23 years working on Gas Turbines and Wind Turbines and managing crews that supported GE Wind. Elected to the Edgewood Commission for District One November 2021 and appointed as Edgewood Mayor September 2023 and re-appointed January 2024 when the new commission took office. My wife Debbie of 42 years and I live in Edgewood with Debbie's mother. I see myself as a moderate conservative that believes in self responsibility and accountability.

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?

Public safety and safe communities are a top priority for me. As State Representative, I will advocate for additional funding, resources, and training for New Mexico police officers. As Edgewood’s mayor, I have been a strong ally to local and state law enforcement officers who risk their lives to serve and protect. With Albuquerque starting to sprawl into neighboring communities, a rising population is bringing crime to once-quiet neighborhoods. In Santa Fe, I will make sure law enforcement throughout the 50th District and New Mexico has the tools, resources, and training they need to keep our communities safe.A Navy veteran, Ken understands the challenges many veterans face once they leave the service. Ken believes our service members sacrifice so much for America that it’s our duty to take care of them after their service. In Santa Fe, I will fight for additional mental health and retirement benefits for New Mexico’s veteran and active-duty military communities. New Mexico’s homeless veteran population is continuing to grow, and I am making it my mission to ensure these brave men and women who risked their lives to defend our freedom have the tools necessary to ensure their transition from service to civilian is as seamless and successful as possible.For too long, rural healthcare has been an afterthought in Santa Fe. Access to quality, affordable healthcare is vital to every New Mexican family. In Santa Fe, I will work to lower drug prices, allow insurance to be sold across state lines, and cut through red tape to modernize the way we deliver health care. I will make it a priority to establish 24-7 urgent care and emergency medical services to Southern Santa Fe County and the East Mountains area. By providing patients more choices in healthcare we can ensure that providers drive prices of drugs and treatments down. It’s time to return decision-making to families and their doctors.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Child welfare. CYFD in NM needs to be revamped from the ground up. CYFD should not be one of the leaders in child mistreatment and death. Education as the lowest ranked in the US must change. Money must be spent on students and not administrations. If we are to improve New Mexico's economy we need to have an educated workforce to support it and what we have now is not it.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

President Ronald Regan. He inspired me and was the reason I became a Republican.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Curtesy and humbleness are essential for any elected official. All to often we have those in office that appear to feel and act as if they are more important than those they serve. We must never put ourselves above others. This regardless of the office you hold. Be it a local municipal governing body or the Governor of the state. This also includes how we treat those that are their to support us. Regardless if you agree or disagree with the issue, there is no place for rudeness and disrespect. Responsiveness is another critical aspect. We all know that it can be very difficult to respond to every person but every attempt should be taken to acknowledge others and their concerns. It could be as simple as a post or a comment in some public forum, and email response or a phone call, depending on the issue. Showing up and participating in your local communities. It is important for people to see their elected officials taking part in the community.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I like people. I like working with and helping people. Every place I go I find interesting people to talk with and to listen to their stories, views and generally connecting at a personal level.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

1: To consider the needs and desires of the people and balance against the needs and wants of the state. This means that not everyone is right and not everyone is wrong but all aspects of an issue must be measured. The common ground between opposing views is where we should be working to find a solution that both parties can accept. 2: Availability to your constituents and reasonable time to respond. Every attempt should be made to respond when constituents take the time to reach out to their elected officials. Phone, text and email tend to be the best form of communication. Social media can be very unreliable for personal communication but can be a good source for general information and a non personal level of communication. 3: Participate in the communities you serve. The best way to learn and understand the people you serve or wish to serve is by participating in communities activities. It is not always possible to know every event that is happening but if invited it is important to show up and participate or at least to respond to the invite. Let your constituents know that you will be there or that for what ever reason you will not be able to.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I was the non-politician politician. I have always disliked politicks. Politics can be very counter productive. I want people to remember me for the one that actually listened to the people and did his best to meet their expectations.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Apollo 15 Launch on July 26 1971. I was 10 years old. I was a Cub Scout and the Boy Scout troop was making the trip. My older brother was a Boy Scott and my father was one of the troop leaders. We hiked 40+ miles from Franklin MA and then took a buss the rest of the way. When we got to FL we debarked the bus and hiked an additional 10 miles to qualify for the 50 mile hike merit badge/patch.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I had a few yard keeping jobs and a job at a fast food place in Rio Rancho but the first real job was at Henry Hillson and Company of Albuquerque for about a year. I was a senior and high school at the time. I left to join the Navy.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Montgomery Scott of the USS Enterprise / Star Trek.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Trying to understand why some people do bad and evil things to other people.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

To be honest, I don't know. However, If I were to use my past military and cooperate experience I would have to say that both should feel comfortable approaching the other on any level and have the ability to have open and honest conversation without threats or condemnation. In a perfect world this would be ideal but in our imperfect, world this should be a goal.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Crime, Education, Homelessness, Water supply for rural areas, and the economy.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It is helpful but not mandatory. Municipal office is a good training platform.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is very important to have a good working relationship with all our fellow legislatures. It is like living with your neighbors. You may not always agree, have the same philosophical views or even like each other. However, as neighbors, both need to find the common ground in order to work together for the betterment of the neighborhood. In time a trust and understanding can build.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Not at this time

Tell us your favorite joke.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes. No one person should have absolute power. There needs to be constant checks and balances. Now during a crisis it may be necessary to allow a temporary grant of emergency power but it should be limited to the issue at hand and have a time limit. At the end of the time limit the legislature should revisit the issues and take action. Extend the time limit on the authority, codify the action taken or rescind the action.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Reduce or eliminate income tax on first responders and military pay and retirement.

What committees interest you?

I would be honored to serve on any committee but here are a few that interest me the most. Labor, Veterans' And Military Affairs . Rural Development, Land Grants And Cultural Affairs. Transportation, Public Works & Capital Improvements. House Judiciary. Energy, Environment & Natural Resources. House Health & Human Services. As a new member I realize there is a lot to learn for each committee and that everything we see from the outside looking in is not always an accurate picture.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

It should be known as to the source of ones income along with business and property holdings.