Affordability, crime and healthcare were key topics of a televised debate by Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury and her GOP challenger in the Nov. 3 election.
The two candidates also discussed in a contentious exchange New Mexico’s connection with convicted sex offender Jeffery Epstein, and an ongoing investigation of potential crimes committed at Epstein’s Zoro Ranch in Santa Fe County.
Stansbury, who has represented the 1st Congressional District since 2021, and Republican Ndidamaka “Didi” Okpareke, a pharmacist from Rio Rancho, engaged in the 30-minute debate hosted Tuesday, Oct. 13 by KOAT at the TV station’s studio in Albuquerque. The two candidates met three weeks before the general election and a week after absentee ballots were mailed and early in-person voting began Oct. 6.
The 1st Congressional District includes eastern Albuquerque and Rio Rancho and extends south into northern Roswell and the northern part of the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Otero County.
Stansbury touted her record of steering federal dollars toward district projects. At one point she warned that, if elected, Okpareke would be “a rubber stamp” for President Donald Trump’s agenda.
Okpareke accused Stansbury of not fighting hard enough for the district.
“I want a refund on the tax money that has been used to pay your salary,” Okpareke said. She added that she will work with anyone if elected and that she wants to “produce results in Congress, not rhetoric.”
Affordability
Moderators asked what Congress should do to blunt the effects of rising prices on consumer goods and other expenses paid by New Mexicans.
Stansbury blamed Trump’s policies for higher costs, including the war with Iran. Since the war began in February, Democrats contended higher fuel prices resulted from the closure of an oil and gas shipping route between the U.S., Europe and the Middle East along the Strait of Hormuz. The strait was closed by Iran as the U.S. launched multiple attacks earlier this year.
“We need to end this war, end the tariffs, end the disastrous economic policies of the current president and we need to make investments in our communities,” she said. Stansbury has voted multiple times for resolutions to end the military action against Iran.
Okpareke also said the war with Iran contributed to high costs, saying the Trump administration must “finish and finish fast.” She also blamed the Democratic administration of former-President Joe Biden for high inflation and said the economy could be spurred by lowering taxes.
“The way we do that is by cutting taxes. The way that we do that is by creating jobs and giving you the economic opportunity,” Okpareke said.
Medicaid
Beginning in January, tighter eligibility requirements for receiving Medicaid will take effect as part of Trump’s signature tax bill known by supporters as “the One Big Beautiful Bill,” which the President signed into law July 4, 2025.
In New Mexico, 38% of the population is enrolled in Medicaid. At least 88,530 New Mexicans could lose Medicaid coverage under the new rules that add work requirements and prevent the enrollment of noncitizens in the program, according to a fact sheet from the New Mexico Health Care Authority.
Asked what they would say to people who fear losing coverage, Okpareke said that Medicaid is meant for young children, people with disabilities and senior citizens, not for what she called “able-bodied people” who can work or perform community service.
To lower health care costs more broadly, Okpareke proposed repurposing unexpired, unused and unopened drugs that pharmacies throw away.
Stansbury, who voted against the bill, argued that it is responsible for rising health care costs and that the next Congress should reverse the new rules.
Public safety
Okpareke said New Mexico’s crime rate can be addressed by focusing on those who enter the U.S. without citizenship documentation.
“A border that is not obeyed and laws of the land that are not obeyed creates a nation that is at risk, and quite frankly a nation that does not exist,” she said.
Stansbury disagreed and accused Okpareke of having “a grave misunderstanding of the situation” when it comes to fighting crime. She said improving public safety includes giving law enforcement more resources and acting against crimes such as drug trafficking. She said public safety also means addressing crime’s root causes by securing federal funding for substance abuse treatment and behavioral health services.
Epstein investigation
A moderator asked Stansbury to confirm news reports that she has been subpoenaed to testify before the Epstein Truth Commission, which the Legislature established to probe Epstein’s alleged crimes.
Stansbury said justice is needed for survivors in New Mexico and across the nation.
“I have not been personally contacted regarding a subpoena, but I am absolutely prepared to present all of the facts and information that the committee is asking for in front of the committee and under oath,” she said.
Okpareke asked Stansbury directly whether she would testify publicly before the commission ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
“We want to hear the questions and all of your answers,” Okpareke said. Stansbury said she is willing to testify publicly.
Data centers
Both candidates agreed that, at least for now, data centers should not be built in New Mexico.
Stansbury said federal regulations are needed to protect communities and natural resources.
“That is why I believe we need to stop the unregulated data center building in New Mexico and why we need to rein in data centers,” she said.
Okpareke said New Mexico is not ready for data centers, citing the scarcity of water in the state.
“The first thing that needs to be addressed is water security and that is what I stand for, before any AI or data centers come into the district,” Okpareke said.
