Matilda "Tilli" McCarthy Villalobos

Criminal Justice / Public Safety

Public safety also means safety for vulnerable and historically marginalized communities. It means ensuring that every person, regardless of race, immigration status, gender identity, or economic background, feels protected and respected by the systems designed to keep them safe. Learn more

Investing in transitional and affordable housing so people are not trapped in cycles of instability that increase contact with the criminal justice system. Learn more

Public safety requires accountability when crimes are committed, especially for violent offenders. But it also requires addressing the root causes that drive crime in the first place. That means expanding access to mental health care, substance use treatment, and crisis response services so people receive help before situations escalate. Learn more

Tilli believes reducing crime in New Mexico is deeply connected to strengthening our schools, expanding economic opportunity, and building a more prosperous future for every New Mexican. Public safety is not just about reacting after harm occurs. It is about creating communities where people have hope, stability, and opportunity and making decisions for the collective good of the community. Learn more

Economy

Workforce development also means investing in the industries of the future. New Mexico has enormous potential in clean energy, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, sustainable agriculture, film and digital media, and cross-border trade. We should use targeted incentives and smart public investments to grow these sectors while ensuring that the jobs created are local, pay family-sustaining wages, and include strong worker protections. Learn more

That starts with education and workforce alignment. Tilli supports expanding career readiness programs, paid apprenticeships, and hands-on learning opportunities that connect high school, community college, and university programs directly to good-paying careers. Tilli believes in strengthening partnerships between public schools, institutions like NMSU and Doña Ana Community College, labor unions, and local employers so students graduate with industry-recognized credentials and a clear pathway into the workforce. Learn more

Tilli also believes in making it easier for New Mexicans to start new businesses, grow existing ones, and purchase local businesses. It means reducing unnecessary barriers to doing business while protecting workers and their rights and creating state-supported loan and grant programs that help entrepreneurs get off the ground. Learn more

New Mexico is rich in talent, but too often that talent is exported to other states. Tilli believes it is time to invest in a more competitive and diversified economy that creates high-quality, stable jobs across the state. Learn more

Education

New Mexico’s tuition-free college program is a tremendous achievement. Now we must ensure students are academically prepared to succeed once they arrive and that they have the advising, mental health support, and financial guidance necessary to complete their degrees. At the same time, we must equally value and invest in skilled trades and certification programs so that students who choose a different path are supported, trained, and respected. Learn more

But we cannot stop there. In our elementary schools, we should prioritize smaller class sizes, evidence-based reading and math instruction, and meaningful support for teachers. Learn more

Strong education also means robust after-school and summer programs that support students at every grade level and allow parents to remain in the workforce. These programs keep children safe, reinforce academic skills, provide access to tutoring, arts, athletics, and STEM opportunities, and help close achievement gaps that widen when students lose learning time. Learn more

Tilli believes we must continue to fully fund and strengthen early childhood education because getting kids off to a strong start changes the trajectory of their lives. Tilli supports sustained investments in high-quality universal pre-K, home visiting programs, and early literacy initiatives so that every child enters kindergarten ready to learn. Learn more

Students should be formally introduced to all of their future options, including college and career pathways, through structured career exploration, financial literacy, and skills-based learning. High school should build on that foundation with access to dual credit courses, career and technical education, mentorships, internships, apprenticeships, and real-world experiences that prepare students for success after graduation. Learn more

Healthcare

Tilli supports eliminating the gross receipts tax on doctors, a policy that discourages providers from practicing in New Mexico and drives up costs for patients. She also supports increasing residency positions throughout New Mexico and working with New Mexico's youth to raise awareness about programs that make becoming a doctor attainable. Tilli also believes New Mexico must continue to thoughtfully reassess its medical malpractice laws and make updates that ensure victims of malpractice can access justice while preserving access to healthcare, a basic human right. Learn more

Too many New Mexicans are forced to travel out of state to receive the care they need. And too many New Mexicans fear the realities of debilitating medical debt, if they seek care. Tilli believes the legislature must prioritize policies that expand access to affordable care, reduce wait times, and address the severe healthcare worker shortage facing our state. Learn more

Wages / Job Benefits

Continuing to raise wages and protect workers’ rights so that a full-time job actually supports a family. Learn more