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John Block (New Mexico politician)

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For other people named John Block, see John Block (disambiguation).
John Block
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 51st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 17, 2023
Preceded byRachel Black
Personal details
BornNew Mexico, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationSanta Fe Community College (AAS)
Rutgers University Camden (BA)
Eastern New Mexico University (MBA)

John Block is an American politician serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 51st district.[1] Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 17, 2023. Block is the founder and editor of The Piñon Post, a conservative news and political commentary online newspaper and media outlet based in New Mexico.[2]

Early life and education

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Block was born and raised in New Mexico. He earned an associate of applied science in film production and documentary media from Santa Fe Community College in 2016, a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Rutgers University Camden in 2019, and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University in 2020.[3][4]

Career

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In 2016, Block served as a staffer for members of the New Mexico House of Representatives. He also worked as a campaign aide for Yvonne Chicoine, a candidate for district attorney.[5] In 2017, he was a legislative intern in the United States Senate.[citation needed] From 2017 to 2018, he worked as an international government affairs assistant at Chevron.[6] In 2018, Block was an associate at Ajilon, a staffing agency and subsidiary of the Adecco Group.[citation needed]

From 2018 to 2019, he worked as the manager of digital communications at Americans United for Life, a law firm and anti-abortion advocacy organization. From 2019 to 2020, Block worked as a client manager and PAC manager for the Committee to Defend the President, a super PAC established to support the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign.[7] From 2020 to 2022, he worked as a brand manager for Pop Acta, a targeted media company.[7] He was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in November 2022.[8]

He is currently the youngest legislator in New Mexico and the first member of Generation Z elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, although he has not disclosed his birthdate[9] online, but presuming he was 20 when he received his associates degree, his estimated age is 28 years old.

In November 2024, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver accused Block of encouraging online harassment she had received. Block said he too had been harassed, and said, "If it gets to violent threats like you described that you got, I apologize that that is happening to you."[10]

Electoral history

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Republican primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51

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Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Block 1,540 50.8
Republican Rachel Black 1,494 49.2

[8]

General election for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51

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Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Block 5,824 63.2
Democratic Sharonlee Cummins 3,395 36.8

[8]

Political positions

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Energy

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Block is in favor of expanding oil, gas, and coal production by striking legislation such as 2019’s Energy Transition Act.[3]

Abortion and assisted suicide

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Block believes in the right to life from conception to natural death.[6][3]

Second Amendment

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Block supports Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry) legislation and opposes legislation that “would restrict New Mexicans’ rights to own and carry a firearm.”[3][6]

Education

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Block believes in dismantling the New Mexico Public Education Department and instead empowering decision-making in the individual school districts.[3]

Personal life

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Block is openly gay,[4] a Christian,[11] and is of Hispanic and Native American descent.[12][13]

Block attended the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021.[12] However, he maintains that he did not enter any restricted areas.[7] When reached for comment, the FBI informed media outlets that they could neither confirm nor deny that Block was being investigated.[7]

References

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  1. ^ "Representative John Block - (R)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Chacon, Daniel (October 5, 2023). "Editor of Piñon Post announces bid for House seat". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Q&A: House District 51 candidate John Block". Albuquerque Journal. September 18, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Chacón, Daniel J. (December 25, 2021). "An unlikely conservative voice needles New Mexico's left". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  5. ^ Hsieh, Steven (November 8, 2016). "This Guy". Santa Fe Reporter. Archived from the original on November 14, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Hedden, Adrian; Smith, Mike (November 9, 2022). "Republican Party cruises to victory in southeast New Mexico State House races". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  7. ^ a b c d Unruh-Enos, Tierna (January 4, 2022). "After Helping Launch Jan. 6, Republican Insurrectionist Plans Trump-Styled Run for New Mexico State House". The Paper. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c "John Block". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  9. ^ "otero county john block "birthdate" - Google Search". Google. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  10. ^ Lee, Morgan (November 12, 2024). "New Mexico secretary of state says she's experiencing harassment after the election". AP News. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "About". John Block for New Mexico. August 27, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  12. ^ a b Haywood, Phaedra (January 7, 2021). "Santa Fe man says his experience outside Capitol was peaceful, 'jovial'". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
  13. ^ Hsieh, Steven (November 8, 2016). "Sign Off". Santa Fe Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
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