| John Block | |
| State House: | New Mexico |
| District: | 51st |
| Term Start: | January 17, 2023 |
| Birth Place: | New Mexico, U.S. |
| Education: | Santa Fe Community College (AAS) Rutgers University Camden (BA) Eastern New Mexico University (MBA) |
John Block is an American politician serving as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 51st district.[1] Elected in November 2022, he assumed office on January 17, 2023. Block is the founder and editor of The Piñon Post, a conservative news and political commentary online newspaper and media outlet based in New Mexico.[2]
Block was born and raised in New Mexico. He earned an associate of applied science in film production and documentary media from Santa Fe Community College in 2016, a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration from Rutgers University Camden in 2019, and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern New Mexico University in 2020.[3] [4]
In 2016, Block served as a staffer for members of the New Mexico House of Representatives. He also worked as a campaign aide for Yvonne Chicoine, a candidate for district attorney.[5] In 2017, he was a legislative intern in the United States Senate. From 2017 to 2018, he worked as an international government affairs assistant at Chevron. In 2018, Block was an associate at Ajilon, a staffing agency and subsidiary of the Adecco Group.
From 2018 to 2019, he worked as the manager of digital communications at Americans United for Life, a law firm and anti-abortion advocacy organization. From 2019 to 2020, Block worked as a client manager and PAC manager for the Committee to Defend the President, a super PAC established to support the Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign.[6] From 2020 to 2022, he worked as a brand manager for Pop Acta, a targeted media company. He was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in November 2022.[7]
He is currently the youngest legislator in New Mexico and the first member of Generation Z elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, although he has not disclosed his birthdate[8] online, but presuming he was 20 when he received his associates degree, his estimated age is 28 years old.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Block | 1,540 | 50.8 | |
| Republican | Rachel Black | 1,494 | 49.2 |
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Block | 5,824 | 63.2 | |
| Democratic | Sharonlee Cummins | 3,395 | 36.8 |
Block is in favor of expanding oil, gas, and coal production by striking legislation such as 2019’s Energy Transition Act.[10]
Block believes in “the right to life“ from conception to natural death.[11]
Block supports Constitutional Carry (Permitless Carry) legislation and opposes legislation that “would restrict New Mexicans’ rights to own and carry a firearm.”
Block believes in dismantling the New Mexico Public Education Department and instead empowering decision-making in the individual school districts.
Block is openly gay,[12] a Christian,[13] and is of Hispanic and Native American descent.[14] [15]
Block attended the January 6 United States Capitol attack in 2021.[16] However, he maintains that he did not enter any restricted areas. When reached for comment, the FBI informed media outlets that they could neither confirm nor deny that Block was being investigated.