ABOUT DEBBIE

Debbie Rodella was born in Española and raised in Chimayó, where she learned the values of hard work, integrity, and standing up for her community. Debbie was raised in a family that loved tradition and service. Her father was an ironworker and member of Local 495, and her mother was a dedicated homemaker.

A lifelong resident of House District 41 for more than 35 years, Debbie is a proud mother to two grown children and a devoted grandmother to two boys.

Debbie graduated from Española Valley High School and continued her education at Northern New Mexico Community College and the College of Santa Fe. While at Northern, she served as a Student Senator, advocating to expand the college into a four-year institution. Years later, she helped make that vision a reality by co-sponsoring and supporting legislation in 2024 and 2025 to elevate Northern into a four-year school. 

Debbie spent over 20 years working at Los Alamos National Laboratory, gaining real-world experience across multiple roles. She is proud to have been a member of the UPTE 1663 union, standing with working families and organized labor.

In 1992, committed to progress for New Mexico, Debbie was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, where she served District 41 for 26 years (1993–2018). During her tenure, she made history as the first woman to chair the House Business and Industry Committee and was recognized for being the longest-serving Hispanic woman in the House.

Debbie built a reputation as a proven fighter who delivers results. She secured critical funding for infrastructure, invested in education, strengthened public safety, and supported economic growth across Northern New Mexico.

A strong advocate for land grant communities, Debbie brings both personal and legislative experience to the issue as an heir to the Nuestra Señora del Rosario, Santiago y San Fernando Land Grant and the Santa Cruz de la Cañada Land Grant. She sponsored and supported key legislation to strengthen land grant governance, including efforts to establish them as political subdivisions. She also worked to return state-owned lands to the Abiquiú and Tierra Amarilla Land Grant heirs.

Through her work on the Indian Affairs Committee, Debbie supported important initiatives including the creation of the Tribal Infrastructure Fund.

From helping her family cultivate their vegetable garden and harvest their heirloom Chimayó chile, to portraying Reina at the annual Fiesta del Valle de Española, Debbie remains deeply connected to the traditions and values that define the district. 
 

• Former member of the Blue Star Mothers, proudly serving our military and their families

• Member of the New Mexico Democratic State Central Committee

• Former Board Member of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators

• Former Member with the Council of State Governments and the National Conference of State Legislatures

• ​Lifetime member of NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials)
   

Debbie Rodella is a steady leader who understands the district, respects its traditions, and knows how to deliver results for the people she serves.