Alma C. Roberson is a district court judge in Division VII of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She presides over the specialized Children’s Court division. She handles juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, adoptions, guardianships, and crossover youth cases. A Democrat and a 2021 EMERGE NM alum, she assumed the bench on February 5, 2021, following appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Amanda Sanchez Villalobos is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Thirteenth Judicial District Court, based in Grants, Cibola County. She presides over general jurisdiction cases. A Democrat and a 2019 EMERGE NM alum, she was appointed to the bench in May 2019 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Amber Chavez Baker is a district court judge in Division XXII of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She presides over Family Court matters. A Democrat and a 2019 EMERGE NM alum, she assumed the bench on March 25, 2019, following appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Anastasia Rose Martin is a judge on the New Mexico First Judicial District Court, which covers Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties. She serves in Division VIII and handles civil and adult criminal cases. A Democrat, she was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on June 17, 2025.

Andrea Gunderson is a judge in Division XIX of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She serves in the Civil Division and handles small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and other civil matters up to $10,000. A Democrat and EMERGE NM 2019 Alum, she was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to the Metropolitan Court on March 15, 2025.

Angie K. Schneider is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Twelfth Judicial District Court and serves as Chief Judge of the entire district. She presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, she was appointed to the bench in July 2013 by Governor Susana Martinez.

Beatrice J. Brickhouse serves as a judge in the Second Judicial District Court of New Mexico in Bernalillo County, which covers Albuquerque and surrounding areas. She currently serves in the civil division, presiding over cases involving contracts, administrative appeals, and other civil matters. A Democrat and graduate of the EMERGE New Mexico program in 2010.

Benjamin S. Cross is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Ninth Judicial District Court, based in Clovis, Curry County. He handles general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on September 24, 2021, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Bradford J. Dalley is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court, based in Farmington, San Juan County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on January 2, 2015, by Governor Susana Martinez.

Bradly L. Keeler is a district court judge in Division II of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court, based in Gallup, McKinley County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench in May 2024 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Brenna Clani-Washinawatok is a district court judge in Division VI of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court, based in Aztec. She presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat and a 2025 EMERGE NM Alum, she was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in February 2025.

Brittany Maldonado Malott is a judge in Division X of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She presides over criminal and civil matters and serves as the presiding judge for the Behavioral Health DWI Court and the Behavioral Health Court. A Democrat and an EMERGE NM alum class of 2019, she was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill a vacancy.

Bruce Fox is a district court judge in Division X of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. He primarily handles felony criminal matters, expungement cases, and presides over the Mental Health Court Program. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench on February 8, 2021, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Bryan T. Fox is a district court judge in Division XI of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. He presides over Family Court matters, including divorces, child custody and time-sharing, child support, domestic violence, guardianships, and other domestic relations cases. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench in December of 2024 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Gerard J. Lavelle.

Christine E. Rodriguez is a judge in Division II of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She primarily handles criminal matters and serves as the Presiding Judge of the court’s DWI Recovery Court Program. A Democrat, she was elected to the bench in November 2016 after defeating the incumbent in the general election following a Democratic primary victory.

Christopher G. Perez is a district court judge in Division VII of the New Mexico Thirteenth Judicial District Court, based in Bernalillo, Sandoval County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases, including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. He also oversees the Sandoval County Mental Health Court. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on February 28, 2020.

Claire Ann McDaniel is a judge in Division XVI of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She handles a mix of criminal and civil matters. A Democrat and EMERGE NM 2022 Alum, McDaniel was appointed to the Metropolitan Court in September 2022 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Clara Moran is a district court judge in Division XXVIII of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She primarily handles criminal matters. A Democrat and an EMERGE NM alum 2016, she was appointed to the bench on July 2, 2020, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill a vacancy.

Crystal E. Lees is a district court judge in Division XXIV of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She presides over Family Court matters, including child custody, divorce, child support, domestic violence, and other domestic relations cases. A Democrat and a 2022 EMERGE alum, she was appointed to the bench on January 16, 2025, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Curtis R. Gurley is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench in April 2019 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

David E. Finger is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Court, based in Carlsbad, Eddy County. He handles a general docket covering criminal, civil, family, and other matters across the three-county district. A registered Republican, he was sworn in on January 6, 2023, after defeating incumbent Judge Eileen Patricia Riordan in the November 2022 general election.

Denise Thomas is a district court judge in Division IV (Family Court) of the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico. The district covers Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties. She primarily handles family law matters such as divorce, child custody, domestic violence, and guardianship cases. A Democrat, she is an alumna of Emerge New Mexico, class of 2025. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed her to the bench on March 25, 2024.

Diana Garcia is a district court judge in Division XIX of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She presides over the specialized Children’s Court division. She handles cases involving juvenile delinquency, abuse and neglect, adoptions, guardianships, and crossover youth involved in both systems. A Democrat and a 2023 EMERGE NM Alum, she was appointed to the bench on March 25, 2024, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Donna J. Mowrer is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Ninth Judicial District Court, based in Portales, Roosevelt County. She presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, domestic relations, and domestic violence matters. She is the presiding judge for all Roosevelt County domestic violence cases. A registered Republican, she was appointed to the bench in August 2011 by Governor Susana Martinez.

Douglas W. Decker is a district court judge in Division VII of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court, based in Gallup, McKinley County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and sworn in on May 22, 2023.

Douglas R. Driggers is a district court judge in Division VII of the New Mexico Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. A Democrat, he was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson in 2003. He has been retained by voters in multiple nonpartisan retention elections, including 2008, 2014, and 2020.

Dustin K. Hunter is a district court judge in Division X of the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Court, based in Roswell. He handles a mix of criminal, civil, child support, driver’s license restoration, and some domestic violence cases. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on May 27, 2016, by then-Governor Susana Martinez.

Eileen Patricia Riordan is a district court judge on the Fifth Judicial District Court in New Mexico, which covers Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties. She currently serves in Division V in Eddy County. A Democrat, she was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on September 19, 2025.

Emilio J. Chavez is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Eighth Judicial District Court and serves as Chief Judge of the entire district. He presides over general jurisdiction cases, including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench on July 14, 2015, by Governor Susana Martinez.

Francis Joseph Mathew is a district court judge in Division I (Civil Court) of the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico. The district covers Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties. A Democrat, he was appointed to the court on January 11, 2013, by Republican Governor Susana Martinez.

James Lawrence Sanchez is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Thirteenth Judicial District Court, based in Los Lunas, Valencia County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench in May 2012 by Governor Susana Martinez to fill a vacancy.

Jane Levy is a district court judge in Division XXV of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She presides over Family Court matters, including divorces, custody, time-sharing, property division, spousal support, and child-related issues. She has served as Presiding Family Court Judge since 2021. A Democrat and a 2017 EMERGE NM Alum, she was appointed to the bench in late 2016 by Governor Susana Martinez.

Jarod K. Hofacket is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Sixth Judicial District Court and serves as Chief Judge of the entire district. He presides over general jurisdiction cases in Luna County. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on October 21, 2016, by Governor Susana Martinez. He was sworn in as Chief Judge in May 2023.

Jason M. Jaramillo is a judge in Division XII of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He primarily handles civil matters. These include disputes up to $10,000, landlord-tenant cases, and other civil dockets. A Democrat, he was appointed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to the Metropolitan Court in May 2019.

Jennifer J. Wernersbach is a district court judge in Division XVI of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She primarily handles felony criminal cases, appeals from Metropolitan Court, bind-overs, detention hearings, and other criminal proceedings. A Democrat, she assumed the bench on February 5, 2021, following appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Jill M. Martinez is a judge in Division VIII of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She serves on the DWI Bench Book Committee and instructs on the Fourth Amendment for the Judicial Education Committee. A Democrat, she won the 2014 Democratic primary and general election.

Joshua J. Sanchez serves as a judge for Division IV of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in New Mexico. He is also the Chief Judge of the Metropolitan Court, a position he was elected to by his peers in April 2023. A Democrat, he was appointed to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 3, 2021.

Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood is a district court judge in Division X (Civil Court) of the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico. The district covers Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties. A Democrat and alumna of Emerge New Mexico (class of 2020), she was appointed to the bench on July 2, 2020, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Lisa Chavez Ortega is a district court judge in Division XIII of the New Mexico Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. She presides over civil matters, including personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, premises liability, general negligence, and other civil litigation. A Democrat and a 2019 EMERGE NM alum, she assumed the bench on March 15, 2019, following appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Manuel I. Arrieta is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Third Judicial District Court in Las Cruces. He handles a variety of civil matters, including contract disputes, personal injury claims, land use, and other civil litigation. A Democrat, he has served on the court since his appointment in January 2009 by Governor Bill Richardson.

Matthew Chavez serves on the Second Judicial District Court in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The court handles civil cases over $10,000, family law matters such as divorce and child custody, criminal felonies, and appeals from the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court, including DWI and domestic violence cases. A Democrat, he was appointed to the Second Judicial District Court in March 2025 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Mercedes C. Murphy is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Seventh Judicial District Court and serves as Chief Judge of the entire district. She presides over general jurisdiction cases, including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, she was appointed to the bench in September 2014 by Governor Susana Martinez.

Michael A. Aragon is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Fourth Judicial District Court. The district covers Guadalupe, Mora, and San Miguel counties. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench on May 27, 2021, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Michael H. Stone is a district court judge in Division VII of the New Mexico Fifth Judicial District Court, based in Lovington, Lea County. He handles a general docket that includes criminal, civil, family, and other matters typical for a rural district court division. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench in June 2018 by then-Governor Susana Martinez to fill a vacancy.

Ramon Maestas is a Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court judge for Division V (Civil Division). He handles civil disputes with claims up to $10,000, landlord-tenant cases, and other civil matters. A Democrat, Maestas was appointed to the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on March 15, 2025.

Rosie Cazcano Allred is a judge in Division XVIII of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She handles a range of criminal and civil matters, including traffic arraignments and other dockets. A Democrat, she was appointed to the Metropolitan Court in 2005 by Governor Bill Richardson.

Stephen P. Ochoa is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Twelfth Judicial District Court, covering Lincoln and Otero counties. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench on June 23, 2023, by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to fill a vacancy.

Stephen M. Wayne is a district court judge in Division VIII of the New Mexico Eleventh Judicial District Court, based in Farmington, San Juan County. He presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A registered Republican, he was appointed to the bench in May 2024 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

T. Glenn Ellington is a district court judge in Division VII (Criminal Court) of the New Mexico First Judicial District. The district covers Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, and Santa Fe counties. A Democrat, Ellington was elected to his current position in 2010 after defeating incumbent David Thompson in the Democratic primary.

Thomas F. Stewart is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Sixth Judicial District Court, based in Silver City, Grant County. He handles general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, he was elected to the bench on November 6, 2018.

Timothy Rose is a district court judge in Division I of the New Mexico Tenth Judicial District Court and serves as Chief Judge of the entire district. He presides over general jurisdiction cases, including criminal, civil, family, and domestic matters. A Democrat, he was appointed to the bench on March 25, 2024 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham.

Vidalia G. Chavez is a judge in Division XIV of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She handles civil disputes (up to $10,000), landlord-tenant matters, and other civil dockets. A Democrat, she won the 2014 general election, defeating Peggy Ann Holguin with 50.9 percent of the vote.