Lovington physician, labor leader Darshan Patel running as a Democrat for Rep. Yvette Herrell's seat

LAS CRUCES - Dr. Darshan Patel, M.D., a 35-year-old family physician at a rural hospital in Lovington, said it was in the midst of the omicron surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, just this past January, when he decided to compete for the Democratic nomination in Congressional District 2.

"I've been in the frontlines of the COVID pandemic, seeing the challenges of the disparities of our healthcare system every day in southern New Mexico," Patel said in an interview with the Sun-News. "And I recognize how I can help with that."

Patel already has experience fighting for better working conditions and patient care in his field. He leads the largest house staff union in the country.

The latest virus surge, Patel said, was a "galvanizing" moment for him. The doctor said he couldn't stand by any longer while people died from a preventable disease and said he decided to elevate his public service to the federal stage.

CD2 is a seat that's traditionally been held by Republicans. U.S. Rep. Yvette Herrell, a former state legislator from Alamogordo currently in her first congressional term, reclaimed the seat for the GOP in 2020 after a rare single term during which it was held by Democratic Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, a moderate.

The district recently encompassed all of southern New Mexico generally south of Belen. Following the state redistricting effort, CD2 still accounts for all of southwestern New Mexico, though the district lost Roswell and much of the southeastern part of the state. The district retained Carlsbad, but only the southern half of Hobbs and now includes a southeastern patch of Albuquerque.

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Patel was raised in Albuquerque, is openly gay and is a first-generation American. He currently lives in Hobbs.

Before entering medicine, Patel taught high school-level math in the public schools system in Philadelphia through Teach for America. He's served since last year as president of the Committee of Interns and Residents, a national labor union representing over 20,000 hospital residents, interns and fellows. His father, he said, is a unionized postal worker and Patel stressed the importance of labor organization in his life.

"I think through all these experiences, I've learned the power in collective organizing. I've also learned the importance of a living wage and the importance of a strong middle class job," Patel said. "And so I hope to bring that energy, this kind of power, collective organizing energy, on behalf of New Mexicans to Congress."

Patel said he volunteered to medically assist asylum seekers dropped off in Deming in 2019, and he also said he previously cared for indigenous patients at a primary care clinic while working for the Indian Health Service during his residency. He was appointed to the Governor's Advisory Council for Racial Justice in 2020.

"My perspective of our district is one of understanding how difficult it is to access quality primary care for prescription drugs and the gaps in our insurance system, and I feel like I'm the right candidate to help solve those issues," Patel said.

Patel said his experience on the frontlines of the district's challenges make him the best candidate, citing his experience building relationships with patients across the political spectrum and his understanding of the struggles of families. He stressed bipartisanship as a key factor in getting legislation passed.

"I think I can build the coalition that we are going to need to win this race," Patel said. "Unfortunately, the incumbent congressperson has been focused on partisanship and political games."

Patel said he believes in increasing access to quality health care, ensuring workers make living wages, improving the state's ailing education system by addressing the teacher shortage and transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Former Las Cruces City Councilor Gabe Vasquez, a progressive, is also seeking the Democratic nomination and has already gobbled up many of the biggest endorsements from notable New Mexico Democrats following his campaign announcement in September.

"I think what differentiates me," Patel remarked, "is that I understand the issues that matter to everyday people and voters."

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"We've had amazing candidates that Democrats have put up in this district before," Patel said. "But we've lost, and I think the reason why is because we haven't figured out a way to talk rationally to folks on the other side of the aisle on issues that are very important."

For instance, he explained, in an oil-rich district, a green transition can be a tough sell, as many of Patel's would-be constituents rely on the oil industry to put food on the table. But he said the workers and families most affected need to be part of the conversation, and he thinks he's equipped to talk to those voters about the need for a "just transition" off oil and gas that focuses on new jobs in emerging green industries.

"This is an oil and gas-dependent state," Patel said. "However, we have the added challenge that climate change is real. It's happening. We have to get to carbon neutral net-zero as soon as possible. And in many ways, New Mexico needs to lead on that."

The primary election for New Mexico's three major parties will be held June 7.

Michael McDevitt is a city and county government reporter for the Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-202-3205, mmcdevitt@lcsun-news.com or @MikeMcDTweets on Twitter.