Raised by her father, who was a potash miner, firefighter, oil field worker, and her mother, who was a United Food and Commercial Workers member, Rocky learned early the importance of hard work and education.  As a pro-choice Latina and a 5th generation New Mexican from a working class background, Lara represents the new kind of leadership we need to see more of in Washington.

U.S. House of Representatives – New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District – Challenger. Incumbent Republican Congressman Steve Pearce has consistently voted against women and reproductive health choices. The district is majority Hispanic and the voting-age population in the district is 47% Hispanic.

In 2008, Lara was elected to the Eddy County Board of Commission as a delegate and served as Chairwoman. Lara was the Chairman of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Eddy County DWI Council, in addition to many boards and committees.

Regionally, Lara has served with the Board of Directors for the Southeast Community Action Corporation, addressing HeadStart and senior programs needs in five local counties.

Lara is a graduate of Emerge New Mexico and was awarded Emerge America’s 2011 Trailblazer Award in recognition of her leadership and advocacy for programs which promote gender equality.

Lara has the strong support of the labor community and has been endorsed by the Teamsters, the American Federation of Teachers, AFSCME, IBEW, and OPEIU.