Micaela Lara Cadena is set to face Republican Enrique “Kiki” Vigil in November after a Democratic primary challenge from Ramona J. Martinez.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - Rep. Micaela Lara Cadena won the Democratic primary for New Mexico House District 33 on Tuesday night, advancing in the race for the Doña Ana County legislative seat she has held since 2019.

With all 26 precincts reporting partial returns at 9:10 p.m., Lara Cadena had 1,388 votes, or 71%, while Ramona J. Martinez had 572 votes, or 29%, according to unofficial election results from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office.

The primary pitted Lara Cadena, the incumbent, against Martinez, an attorney whose campaign centered on delivering what it described as practical results for working families in Las Cruces.

Republican Enrique “Kiki” Vigil was unopposed in his party’s primary and is set to face Lara Cadena in the November general election.

Lara Cadena framed her victory Tuesday night as a rejection of outside spending and opposition tied to Project Jupiter.

“Let tonight be a reminder to all of us — you cannot buy what we have built in District 33 and the Mesilla Valley. You cannot out-organize a community that knows what it’s fighting for,” Lara Cadena wrote in a statement to Organ Mountain News. “Dark money, ugly ads, Jupiter lobbyists outside my family’s home, none of it worked. For every door knocked, for every conversation we had, and for every neighbor who showed up, this is our win. I deeply appreciate all of your support. We’ll catch our breath and celebrate, then on to November!”

Martinez did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday night.

During the primary campaign, Lara Cadena opposed Project Jupiter, the proposed hyperscale data center development in southern Doña Ana County. In a May interview with KRWG, she criticized the project’s potential water use and emissions and the process that led to county approval of incentives for the development.

Lara Cadena has represented District 33 since 2019 and is vice chair of the House Taxation and Revenue Committee. She also serves on the House Agriculture, Acequias and Water Resources Committee, according to the New Mexico Legislature.

Lara Cadena told KRWG in May that she sought reelection because “there’s more to do,” citing her work on abortion access, criminal legal reform, tax policy and protections for immigrant families.

Vigil’s campaign identifies him as a Gadsden High School graduate and New Mexico State University alumnus who spent nearly three decades in law enforcement, including serving as Doña Ana County sheriff.

Updated unofficial vote counts are available on the Secretary of State's website. The results are unofficial until canvassed.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.