About David Montoya

David Montoya is a 15th generation Santa Fean. He is a graduate of St. Michael’s High School and served in the United States Air Force for nearly 7 years.

He worked on the DC staff of Senator Jeff Bingaman and is currently a Senior Construction Manager for Parsons Engineering Corporation. 

David holds two Masters Degrees: an MBA from Georgetown University and a Masters in Science from Louisiana State University. 

David is currently deeply involved in the Santa Fe community, serving as a department head for the annual burning of Zozobra, an active member of the Santa Fe Fiesta Council, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, and is also a Santa Fe County volunteer firefighter. Finally, David is extremely proud of his two adult children Megan and Ben.

David Montoya believes true public safety comes from strong communities, and ensuring that our Police have the tools necessary for aggressive enforcement. 

"The wave of crime and drug use did not happen overnight. The last 8 years of neighborhood neglect, along with a lack of action on the upstream causes of crime have all contributed to the unsafe city we have today" 

His vision also includes looking at the upstream root causes of crime—poverty, addiction, and lack of mental health resources—while ensuring Santa Fe’s neighborhoods are safe, healthy, and supported.

David will:

• Increase funding for emergency services, police and first responders, ensuring fire, EMS, and Police have the resources they need to respond quickly and effectively. The latest technology is essential for law enforcement. "I back the Blue!"
   
• Expand citywide mental health programs and crisis response teams, so social workers and trained professionals can respond to non-violent incidents and provide care instead of relying solely on law enforcement.
   
• Support community-based safety initiatives, including, reestablishing a functioning system of neighborhood associations. We will also build community through youth engagement efforts, and strengthen trust between residents and responders through community policing. 

"When the people no longer have a voice in city government, community crumbles. We will reverse this by ensuring neighborhoods are heard, organized and strong. They will be connected with law enforcement to crush this crime wave."
 

• Address the fentanyl crisis head-on by supporting initiatives that target drug trafficking while also expanding access to substance abuse treatment and harm reduction programs.
   
• Ensure law enforcement focuses on serious crimes, and serious repeat offenders with an emphasis on drug trafficking, human trafficking, and violent crime in Santa Fe. This will decrease response times for calls for service.
   
• Invest in prevention, including affordable housing, job opportunities, and youth programs—because stable communities are safer communities.
   

David’s approach to public safety is about building a Santa Fe where everyone feels secure—whether it’s walking home at night, seeking help in a crisis, or raising a family. By prioritizing enforcement, care, prevention, and accountability, he will create lasting safety for all residents. 

Homelessness is one of the most pressing issues facing District One and Santa Fe as a whole. David Montoya believes we must approach this crisis with compassion, urgency, and a commitment to systemic change.

This plan focuses on addressing both the root causes of homelessness and the immediate needs of those living without shelter. David will:

• Increase funding for shelters and supportive housing, ensuring people have access to safe, dignified spaces while they transition into permanent housing.
   
• Expand mental health services, substance use counseling, and job training programs to provide wraparound support that helps residents stabilize and thrive.
   
• Support “housing-first” initiatives that prioritize getting people housed quickly, then pairing them with the services they need to rebuild their lives.
   
• Partner with local nonprofits and community organizations to strengthen networks of care and ensure culturally responsive services are available to all residents.
   

This approach also recognizes that homelessness cannot be solved in isolation. To prevent more people from falling into housing insecurity, David will:

• Advocating for a living minimum wage, so families and workers can afford basic necessities and remain housed.
   
• Support immigrant communities and protect vulnerable residents by removing ICE from city facilities, ensuring that everyone—regardless of immigration status—feels safe accessing shelters, healthcare, and public services.

• Invest in affordable housing development, with a focus on city-owned land, to create more units for low-income and workforce exclusive residents and reduce reliance on expensive private developments.
  

By focusing on humane solutions and tackling the systemic drivers of homelessness, this vision seeks to make Santa Fe a place where no one is left behind.

David Montoya believes in ensuring every family has access to affordable, high-quality childcare. For too long, working parents in Santa Fe have struggled to find care they can afford and trust. David is committed to changing that.

David will:

• Make affordable, high-quality childcare a priority, investing in programs and partnerships that expand access for working families and eliminate long waitlists.
   
• Increase city funding for early childhood education, so every child gets the strong start they deserve and parents can pursue work or education without being held back by childcare barriers.
   
• Support childcare providers and early educators with fair wages and resources, recognizing they are critical to the city’s economy and the development of our youngest residents.
   
• Fully fund public schools, ensuring that every student—regardless of their neighborhood—has access to excellent teachers, safe classrooms, and opportunities to succeed.
   
• Expand after-school and summer programs, giving families affordable options and helping students stay engaged outside of regular school hours.
   
• Work toward equitable school funding, so no part of Santa Fe is left behind and all children have the tools they need to thrive.
   

By centering childcare in his education and economic plans, David’s vision is to build a Santa Fe where families have the support they need, educators are valued, and every child can grow up with the opportunity to succeed.

David Montoya believes Santa Fe must lead the way in building a sustainable, resilient future—one that protects our natural resources and shields our community from harmful policies at higher levels of government. By “Trump-proofing” environmental action, David will ensure that Santa Fe’s commitment to sustainability is strong, local, and unshakable.

David will:

• Invest in local renewable energy projects like solar and wind, reducing the city’s reliance on fossil fuels and making Santa Fe a model for energy independence.
   
• Support community-owned energy initiatives, so residents can directly benefit from clean energy production and keep costs affordable.
   
• Expand water conservation programs, protecting Santa Fe’s most precious resource in the face of ongoing drought and climate change.
   
• Improve public transportation and pedestrian infrastructure, reducing carbon emissions while making it easier for residents to move around the city sustainably.
   
• Strengthen waste reduction and recycling efforts, including citywide composting and incentives for businesses to minimize waste.
   
• Build climate resilience into city planning, preparing Santa Fe for extreme weather events and ensuring vulnerable communities are protected.
   
• Protect open spaces and greenbelts, preserving the natural beauty and biodiversity that make Santa Fe unique.
   

By centering local action and long-term planning, David’s vision is to make Santa Fe a leader in environmental sustainability—ensuring that no matter what happens in Washington, our city remains committed to a healthier, greener future for generations to come.