Biography
Zach Withers is an independent candidate for the New Mexico House of Representatives, District 22, in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against incumbent Stefani Lord (R) and Democrat William Scott.[1][2] A farmer born in Albuquerque, he also ran for the seat in 2024.[1]
Withers was born in Albuquerque, graduated from East Mountain High School, and earned a bachelor's degree from Middlebury College in 2012.[1] His career experience includes working as a farmer and in the craft alcohol industry, and he has been affiliated with Polk's Folly Farm and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union.[1]
Withers ran as an independent for District 22 in 2024 and received 8.7 percent of the vote (1,620 votes), finishing behind Lord and Democrat Fred Ponzlov.[1] In 2026 Ballotpedia lists the Forward New Mexico Party among his endorsements.[1] In a 2024 Ballotpedia survey, he said he was born and raised in the East Mountains and that his politics focus on water, land, food, the local economy and the rural character of the community.[3] He listed balancing the state's water budget, a government focused on the issues most important to New Mexicans, and support for farmers and ranchers transitioning to regenerative agriculture as his key messages.[3]
- 1.Zach Withers - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.Zach Withers 2024 Candidate Connection survey - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
New Mexico House District 22
Zach Withers is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for New Mexico House District 22 as IND. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
