If we want to change something, we must first understand it.
Median Income by Worker in Otero County
A living wage for one adult with zero children is $19.93 an hour, or $41,454 annually. That is: with zero sick days, zero vacation, and zero holidays.
Currently, 74.46% of our working people do not meet that threshold.
When wages are so low that workers must rely on public programs like SNAP, EBT, or HUD just to get by: what kind of business model is that? Is that the community we want? Why do taxpayers end up subsidizing businesses whose workers can’t make ends meet?
rent: percent of household income
Housing, cost of living, poverty- these aren’t abstract issues; they show up in every paycheck, every month. Over 44% of renters in Otero County spend 30% or more of their entire household income on rent. Every year, just over $93 million in rent money flows out of local wallets into private pockets, and over half of those pockets are out of state(who are paying only $4 million in property taxes).
What does that leave us with?
Poverty by Age in Alamogordo
33.7%
More than 1 in 3 of our children and youth are living below the poverty line. This isn’t just a statistic— it’s a reflection of failed leadership, inadequate vision, and poor policy. Imagine if Otero had the lowest poverty rate in New Mexico, the highest homeownership, and schools that are truly well-funded. We can demand that kind of future. It starts with holding power accountable and building together what we deserve.
Housing Occupation
What do we do?
When we avoid certain roads due to potholes, see our kids and friends move away for job opportunities, see our rents raise and nothing changing for the better- its no wonder why we had an 14.55% voter turnout in Otero County four years ago.
We can’t do this alone. Vote this November however you feel best looks out for yourself and your neighbors. Either way, I will see you at your doorstep in the coming months and will continue to serve you in whatever capacity I am able.