Primary Election Candidate questionnaire

Published in the Alamogordo Daily News on May 27, 2012. 

"Please keep answers brief, no more than 250 words per question.  ...."

Candidate name:  Ellen Wedum.         Age and date of birth: 69, 11/08/1942.

Office sought:  New Mexico State Senator, District 34.

Education:         Ph.D. Physical Chemistry, Purdue University 1994.

Employment/business:         retired.

Previous elected or appointed office:  no political offices.

How long have you lived in the district? Going on 8 years.

How long have you resided in the residence on

your application?  Going on 8 years.

 

Volunteer service/military service: 

Democratic Party County Chair, Klamath, OR and Otero, NM.

Secretary, Lafayette Friends Meeting, IN. 

Headstart volunteer; Secretary, SSWG and AARP #3790; 

DPNM Rules committee volunteer; Vice-President, DWSMA; all NM.

RSVP volunteer; Vice-President, Promethium chapter of Iota Sigma Pi;

Treasurer and President WTRPOA; all OR.

Candidate and/or volunteer, various Democratic campaigns in

IN, OR, NM, 1989 to present.

What qualities or characteristics do you have that will make you effective in the office? 

DEDICATION to serving the people of Senate District 34;  they are my first priority.

COMMITMENT to bipartisan cooperation.  I will act to encourage legislators with different

perspectives to respectfully communicate so that we can all work together to create positive

changes for our state.

PERSERVANCE AND PATIENCE to do what it takes to find solutions to our problems that

work for all New Mexico citizens.

What are two key issues you feel are most important in the area you would like to serve in?

The economy, education and water are three of the many important issues that face our area

and our state. The area where I have the most background (as a physical chemist) is water issues,

and water issues will be my main focus.  

Another area of concern to me is the increasingly contentious atmosphere in the legislature.

I have been attending TEA Party meetings for approximately a year now  because of my desire

to better understand the viewpoints of those who have a different political perspective than I do. 

I hope to work with other legislators, putting aside political posturing and confrontation, so that we

can create an atmosphere of mutual respect and unite to do our best for all of New Mexico.

Family information:  Widow, one grown daughter, two chihuahuas.

Have you ever been convicted of a felony or a DUI? NO