Editor’s note: Check back with the Artesia Daily Press online and in print for an update on the verdict and full coverage of the debate in the New Mexico Supreme Court.

New Mexico Rep. Rebecca Dow’s name will appear on the ballot for the June 2 Primary Election, after a New Mexico Supreme Court ruling issued Tuesday, April 21.

The high court issued the unanimous ruling with little explanation amid questions for the validity of Dow’s 122 nominating petition signatures.

Chief Justice Julie Vargas handed down the verdict after an hour-long recess Tuesday morning, following an hour of debate.

Dow’s ability to run for reelection to the New Mexico State House came down to a list of addresses, or lack thereof.

At issue was the format Dow, a Republican, submitted her nominating petition signatures required for her to be added to the ballot in the primary, and their alleged lack of home addresses for each signer.

She would be unopposed to retake her seat in the State House, representing District 38, which covers portions of Dona Ana, Socorro and Sierra counties.

No Democratic candidate has filed to run in that party’s primary election, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State.

After Dow filed for her candidacy on the March 10 signing day, a challenge of the signatures was filed in Third Judicial District Court on March 19 by former Democratic Rep. Tara Jaramillo, who served the District 38 post from 2022 to 2025.

The District Court ruled in favor of Jaramillo, removing Dow from the ballot. The Supreme Court reversed this decision, ordering Dow’s name be returned.

In her appeal of Dow’s candidacy certification, Jaramillo argued the use of screenshots of Dow’s 122 signatures, taken from a computer and filed to verify her candidacy, were insufficient to allow her to run.

Jaramillo contended the petition lacked required information such as the addresses of those who signed in support of the incumbent, Dow’s home address and what specific office she is running for.

Dow was first elected to the seat in 2016 and reelected every two years since except in 2022 when she vacated the seat to run unsuccessfully for governor.

Jaramillo won the seat that year but then lost to a returning Dow in 2024. Jaramillo did not sign on to run in this year’s election.

Aside from her seat in the House, where Republicans are outnumbered 44-26, Dow is also the chair of the New Mexico Republican House Caucus, a role she was selected for after defeating Jaramillo in the 2024 election.

The Democratic Party also controls the State Senate and Governor’s Office.

During Tuesday’s Supreme Court hearing, attorneys for  Dow and Sierra County Clerk Amy Whitehead, who initially validated Dow’s signatures and is the defendant in Jaramillo’s appeal, attempted to paint the controversy as an attempt to circumvent voters and remove a powerful Republican from office.