Commission recommends retaining 35 judges in New Mexico general election

A state panel wants voters to keep every eligible sitting judge on the bench in New Mexico. The choices affect thirty-five judicial seats appearing on the 2024 General Election ballot.

The New Mexico Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission released the findings for the upcoming statewide vote. Four other judges have not served long enough for members to make an official recommendation.

Two of those unrated judges serve in Bernalillo County. They are David Murphy and Emetrio Rudolfo.

“We evaluate a judge’s overall performance because that is a fair and equitable way to assess if they should remain on the bench. We take our responsibility seriously and do not make a ‘do not retain’ recommendation unless the judge does not improve from their interim evaluation to their final evaluation,” said Denise Torres with the commission.

Under New Mexico law, judicial officers must receive at least 57% voter approval to keep their positions. The review process tracks their work over time before final decisions go to the public.

Voters across Bernalillo County decide on these retention races during regular general elections.