Representation Matters: New Mexico State Representative Joanne Ferrary
This is part of The Humanist’s recurring series highlighting openly nonreligious elected officials across the nation. Because of the work of the Center for Freethought Equality, the political and advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association, there are over 120 elected officials at the local, state, and federal level who publicly identify with the atheist and humanist community serving in 35 states across the country. Join the Center for Freethought Equality to help politically empower the atheist and humanist community—membership is FREE!
The Center for Freethought Equality’s advances have been groundbreaking. Prior to the 2016 election, there were only five state legislators and no members of Congress who publicly identified with our community; because of its efforts, today we have seventy-seven state legislators and three members of Congress – Yassamin Ansari (AZ-3), Jared Huffman (CA-2), and Emily Randall (WA-6) – who publicly identify with our community. It is critical that our community connect and engage with the elected officials who represent our community and our values—you can see a list of these elected officials here.
New Mexico State Representative Joanne Ferrary
Representing Las Cruces New Mexico in District 37
“I’m glad I don’t have the influence or constraints of a certain religious ideology that could affect my decision making. I think it allows me to make better choices in supporting policies and funding that will improve peoples’ lives.”
Representative Joanne Ferrary has lived in Las Cruces for over 30 years. While raising two kids as a single mom, she received her undergraduate and MBA degrees at New Mexico State University. Her passion for public safety led her to a life of public and community service. She has worked tirelessly with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to reduce underage drinking and the number of DWI crashes throughout New Mexico, served as co-chair for the Coalition for Pets and People, has been both a Board Member and a dedicated volunteer with the NM Make-A-Wish Foundation, and served on the Planning and Zoning Commission for the City of Las Cruces.
Elected to the New Mexico State House of Representatives in 2016, she currently serves as the Chair of the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee and as a member of the Health & Human Services Committee. She is dedicated to expanding health care in New Mexico, fighting for women’s rights, and investing in public education. Rep. Ferrary was raised Catholic and is now an agnostic.
What motivated you to run for office?
I had worked on traffic safety issues with the New Mexico Department of Transportation in the early 90’s and helped to pass legislation that greatly reduced DWI fatalities and injuries in our state. I realized how important policy could be for the health and safety of our citizens and became involved in supporting local and Presidential campaigns in 2008. When an opportunity arose to run for State Representative against a prominent incumbent in 2012, I stepped up and ran. I lost by 8 votes after a recount, ran again 2 years later and lost – as most swing seats in our state did, and then ran again in 2016 and won. We took back the House for a Democratic majority and elected a growing number of women.
What are your policy priorities and how does your nonreligious worldview impact your policy platform?
I focus on the health of my constituents so they can live happy and healthy lives. This includes environmental issues that affect protections for clean air, land and water such as in the NM Green Amendment. I don’t have a religious basis to govern my decisions that might conflict with some political forces, such as those against abortion, which I’ve worked hard to protect and provide reproductive healthcare in New Mexico. I believe in the fundamental rights and protections for every human being, and I value the uniqueness and life of every person. I’m glad I don’t have the influence or constraints of a certain religious ideology that could affect my decision making. I think it allows me to make better choices in supporting policies and funding that will improve peoples’ lives.
Why was it important for you to be open about your nonreligious identity?
I think it’s important to be honest about my secular beliefs so people understand that I haven’t any ulterior attitude with a religious or spiritual bias. I haven’t made an obvious statement about being agnostic as I respect the rights of others to practice their own religion and beliefs and hope they would respect mine as well. I say the pledge of allegiance without referring to god and I avoid the opening invocation that is given at the beginning of each day we are in session. I’ve noticed more colleagues in the House do the same.
How did voters respond (if at all) to your openness about your nonreligious identity?
I’m not sure my constituents have really noticed and would hope that they would respect my beliefs as I do theirs. The bottom line is having true respect for the sanctity of life and how that relates to how we treat each other.
Use this link to learn more about Representative Joanne Ferrary’s work in the New Mexico legislature.