John Block (born January 17, 1997)[1] is an American politician serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 51st district.[2] Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 1, 2023.[3] 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.[4]
John Block | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 51st district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Rachel Black |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 17, 1997 New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Santa Fe Community College (AAS) Rutgers University Camden (BA) Eastern New Mexico University (MBA) |
Early life and education
editBlock 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.[5][6]
Career
editIn 2016, Block served as a staffer for members of the New Mexico House of Representatives. From 2017 to 2018, he worked as an international government affairs assistant at Chevron.[7]
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.[8] From 2020 to 2022, he worked as a brand manager for Pop Acta, a targeted media company.[8] He was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in November 2022.[9]
He is currently the youngest legislator in New Mexico, and the first member of Generation Z elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives.
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] Later, Alex Curtas, the spokesperson for Toulouse Oliver wrote in an email to the Source New Mexico news outlet that they had not filed a report on this matter and were unlikely to do so, as they could not compile evidence of the allegations.[11]
Electoral history
editRepublican primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51, 2022
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, 2022
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Block | 5,824 | 63.2 |
| Democratic | Sharonlee Cummins | 3,395 | 36.8 |
Republican primary for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51, 2024
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Block | 1,999 | 100 |
General election for New Mexico House of Representatives District 51, 2024
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Block | 7,424 | 61.5 |
| Democratic | Ashlie Myers | 4,653 | 38.5 |
Political positions
editEnergy and taxation
editBlock is in favor of expanding oil, gas, and coal production by striking legislation such as 2019’s Energy Transition Act.[5] In 2024 and 2025, he introduced House Bills 150 [13] and 45 [14], instituting a 3.75% excise tax on renewable energy, the equivalent of the rate oil and gas pays the state.
Abortion and assisted suicide
editBlock has said, "I believe in the right to life from conception to natural death."[5] His position has been reported as opposing abortion.[7]
Second Amendment
editBlock supports Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry) legislation and opposes legislation that “would restrict New Mexicans’ rights to own and carry a firearm.”[5][7]
Education
editBlock believes in dismantling the New Mexico Public Education Department and instead empowering decision-making in the individual school districts.[5]
Personal life
editBlock is openly gay,[6] a Christian,[15] and is of Hispanic and Native American descent.[16][17]
Block attended the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021.[16] However, he maintains that he did not enter any restricted areas.[8] When reached for comment, the FBI informed media outlets that they could neither confirm nor deny that Block was being investigated.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Southwest New Mexico Legislative Guide" (PDF).
- ^ "Representative John Block - (R)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ "NM Constitution, Article IV section 4" (PDF).
- ^ Chacon, Daniel (October 5, 2023). "Editor of Piñon Post announces bid for House seat". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Q&A: House District 51 candidate John Block". Albuquerque Journal. September 18, 2022. Archived from the original on September 19, 2022. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "John Block". Ballotpedia. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- ^ Lee, Morgan (November 12, 2024). "New Mexico secretary of state says she's experiencing harassment after the election". AP News. Retrieved November 13, 2024.
- ^ Brown, Nathan (November 29, 2024). "The Roundhouse Report: Politics in New Mexico". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ "Election Results 2024". Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ "Legislation - New Mexico Legislature". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ "Legislation - New Mexico Legislature". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
- ^ "About". John Block for New Mexico. August 27, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
- ^ a b Haywood, Phaedra (January 7, 2021). "Santa Fe man says his experience outside Capitol was peaceful, 'jovial'". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved February 5, 2023.
- ^ Hsieh, Steven (November 8, 2016). "Sign Off". Santa Fe Reporter. Retrieved February 10, 2023.