Debbie Rodella

Debbie A. Rodella (born November 28, 1961) is a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, in which she served from 1993-2018. A Democrat, she is a native and lifelong resident of Española, New Mexico, and represented Legislative District 41 located in Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Taos Counties. She lost the Democratic primary in 2018 to Susan Herrera and ended her time in the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Rodella received her associate degree from Northern New Mexico Community College and went to the College of Santa Fe. She worked as a materials science technician and as a secretary. Rodella is married to Thomas Rodella, the former sheriff of Rio Arriba County who was removed from office after his federal felony convictions in September 2014 on multiple civil rights charges. They have two children.

Rodella was first elected to the 70-seat New Mexico House of Representatives in 1992. Running unopposed in both primary and general elections since 2006, Rodella was re-elected to a twelfth consecutive two-year term in November 2014. Rodella serves as the chair of the House Business & Industry Committee, Interim Chair of the Economic and Rural Development Committee, and a member of both the Voters & Elections and the Rules & Order of Business Committees. In 2013, Rodella voted with Republicans to block a same-sex marriage bill in committee, and against a bill (which passed) to reduce the penalties for the possession of marijuana. Rep. Rodella has been accused of sharing funds contributed to her re-election campaigns with her husband, to use in his own races for political office.

In the 2018 Democratic primary, Rodella ran for re-election but lost to Susan Herrera.