Fischmann announces candidacy for state Senate

Democrat Steve Fischmann, 54, of Las Cruces, has announced his candidacy for state Senate in District 37, the seat currently held by Republican Leonard Lee Rawson.

His main goal is to return government to serving the needs of everyday citizens first, he said in a news release announcing his candidacy.

“Whether the issue is good jobs, health care, education or the environment, the needs of average people have too often taken a back seat to partisan bickering and powerful lobbies,” Fischmann said. “The opportunities for our region have never been greater, and it’s time to move forward by working together.”

Fischmann has been active as an advocate on a variety of issues in Southern New Mexico. He is a founding member of the Quality Growth Alliance and chair of the Southwest Energy Alliance, which has been instrumental in promoting clean and affordable energy initiatives in Southern New Mexico.

He was one of the first to question the terms of highly lucrative no-bid State Land Office leases, and he has worked with both the Legislature and local governments to help ensure that taxpayers get a fair shake on complicated Tax Increment financing plans. He said he has also helped identify important issues with utility rate and franchise agreements.

Fischmann cites his business experience as an important factor in his public involvement.

“After 25 years as a corporate executive and business owner, I understand that we can only achieve our goals through thoughtful problem solving and the effective use of resources,” he said. “Elected officials need to ask the right questions, especially when taxpayers are footing the bill.”

Fischmann received his undergraduate degree in political science and a master’s in business administration from the University of CaliforniaLos Angeles. After a long career with Levi Strauss & Company, he successfully operated real-estate brokerage and property-inspection businesses in the Bay Area. He is married to Sandy Katayanagi, who is employed at Doña Ana Community College, and has two grown sons.

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