John Block (New Mexico politician)
 | This article is an autobiography or has been extensively edited by the subject or by someone connected to the subject. (February 2023) |
John Block | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 51st district | |
| Assumed office January 17, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Rachel Black |
| Personal details | |
| Born | New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Santa 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[edit]
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[edit]
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.
Electoral history[edit]
Republican primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | John Block | 1,540 | 50.8 |
| Republican | Rachel Black | 1,494 | 49.2 |
General election for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | John Block | 5,824 | 63.2 |
| Democratic | Sharonlee Cummins | 3,395 | 36.8 |
Political positions[edit]
Energy[edit]
Block is in favor of expanding oil, gas, and coal production by striking legislation such as 2019’s Energy Transition Act.[11]
Abortion and assisted suicide[edit]
Block believes in “the right to life“ from conception to natural death.[6][3]
Second Amendment[edit]
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[edit]
Block believes in dismantling the New Mexico Public Education Department and instead empowering decision-making in the individual school districts.[3]
Personal life[edit]
Block is openly gay,[12] a Christian,[13] and is of Hispanic and Native American descent.[14][15]
Block attended the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021.[16] 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[edit]
- ^ "Representative John Block - (R)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ The New Mexican (October 5, 2023). "Editor of Piñon Post announces bid for House seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Q&A: House District 51 candidate John Block - Albuquerque Journal". www.abqjournal.com. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ Chacón, Daniel J. (25 December 2021). "An unlikely conservative voice needles New Mexico's left". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ "This Guy". Santa Fe Reporter. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 2023-02-05.
- ^ a b c "Republican Party cruises to victory in southeast New Mexico State House races". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ a b c d Unruh-Enos, Tierna (2022-01-04). "After Helping Launch Jan. 6, Republican Insurrectionist Plans Trump-Styled Run for New Mexico State House". The Paper. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ "John Block". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-01-21.
- ^ "otero county john block "birthdate" - Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 2024-02-21.
- ^ a b "John Block". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Q&A: House District 51 candidate John Block - Albuquerque Journal". www.abqjournal.com. 18 September 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "An unlikely conservative voice needles New Mexico's left". 25 December 2021.
- ^ "About". John Block for New Mexico. 2018-08-27. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Haywood, Phaedra (7 January 2021). "Santa Fe man says his experience outside Capitol was peaceful, 'jovial'". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ "Sign Off". Santa Fe Reporter. 8 November 2016. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
- ^ Haywood, Phaedra (7 January 2021). "Santa Fe man says his experience outside Capitol was peaceful, 'jovial'". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2023-02-05.