21 years as a New Mexico attorney. State and federal public defender, CJA panel federal defense attorney, civil plaintiffs’ advocate, and family law attorney for over 15 years.
From public defense to family law, Dania Gardea has devoted her career to helping New Mexicans navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
Hello, my name is Dania Gardea, and I am honored to introduce myself as a candidate for Judge of Division IV of the 3rd Judicial District Court here in Las Cruces.
For more than 21 years, I have served the people of Doña Ana County with a commitment to fairness, compassion, and dignity. As a New Mexican, I believe every person who enters a courtroom deserves to be heard and treated with respect.
I began my legal career at the Las Cruces Public Defender's Office and later served at the Federal Public Defender's Office, where I gained valuable experience in complex cases and strengthened my dedication to due process and equal treatment under the law. In 2008, I opened my own practice, focusing on family law, helping families through some of the most challenging moments of their lives. These experiences taught me the importance of balance, empathy, and fairness in every decision.
My guiding principle has always been simple. Justice must be accessible, impartial, and rooted in respect. If elected, I will work each day to ensure a courtroom where fairness out- weighs politics and where decisions are based solely on the law and the facts.
Las Cruces is my home, and it would be an honor to serve our community with integrity, accountability, and compassion.
Dania isn’t running to promise outcomes in any particular case. She’s running to ensure that every person who appears in Division Four is treated with dignity, that cases move efficiently, and that decisions are clearly explained.
With experience on both the criminal and civil sides of the justice system, Dania understands the importance of applying the law impartially in every case—no matter who is involved.
Delays and confusion hurt families, victims, and working people. Dania is committed to realistic scheduling, hearings that start on time, and moving cases forward without sacrificing fairness.
Court can be intimidating. Dania believes every person deserves to be heard, treated with respect, and given plain-language explanations so they leave understanding what happened and why.
Judicial races are often decided by people who take the time to learn about the candidates and share what they’ve learned. Your support—big or small—can help elect a judge with deep experience and a passion for justice.
On June 2, you can choose a judge with 21 years of New Mexico experience and a proven record of standing with our community in state and federal courts.