Sweetser to run for Irwin’s NM House seat

For the Headlight 4:16 p.m. MST December 16, 2015
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DEMING — Candie Sweetser, managing partner of KDEM-FM and KOTS-AM in Deming, has announced she is running for state representative in House District 32, to succeed Dona Irwin (D) who is not seeking re-election.
District 32 includes Luna and Hidalgo counties, and a portion of Grant County.

Sweetser, 53, a Democrat, has lived in Luna County for more than 25 years and has strong ties to broadcasting, agriculture, education and small business. She describes herself as someone running without a pre-set agenda who would simply like the opportunity to give back to the community.

“Southwestern New Mexico has been so good to my family and me, and I am eager for a chance to represent my friends and neighbors, and carry our local issues to the state level,” Sweetser said.

Sweetser said she has been interested in serving in the New Mexico Legislature for many years, but felt the area was well-represented by Irwin and her predecessor, the late G.X. McSherry, so never felt compelled to run until now.

This is Sweetser’s first time to run for public office.

“I am not a politician, but I have great respect for our democratic system of government,” she said. “I believe in good, open, honest government.”

Sweetser has a master’s degree in communication studies from New Mexico State University, and a bachelor’s degree in radio/television broadcasting from Eastern New Mexico University. In addition to her broadcasting work, Sweetser teaches public speaking for Western New Mexico University in Deming and Lordsburg.

Sweetser has served as president of the Deming Rotary Club, has been active in Silver Spikes, and served on the boards of the New Mexico Broadcasters Association and the New Mexico Foundation of Open Government. She is active in First United Methodist Church of Deming.

​She is married and has two children.