Jay C. Block

Jay Christopher Block (born November 9, 1970) is an American politician. A member of the Republican Party, he has been in the New Mexico Senate since 2025. Block was previously a member of the Sandoval County Commission from 2016 to 2024. He lost the Republican primary for New Mexico governor in 2022.

Block was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following his service in Afghanistan. He spent time working at the Pentagon and Kirtland Air Force Base. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 2016, he became a consultant for the Department of Defense on nuclear operations. In 2022, he voted against certifying the result of the municipal, primary, and general elections. He was outvoted by the other county commissioners.

On April 17, 2021, Block became the first candidate to enter the Republican primary for the New Mexico governorship in 2022. In the primary, he placed fourth with 10.6% of the vote, losing the nomination to Mark Ronchetti with 58.4%. Ronchetti lost the general election.

Block was elected to the New Mexico Senate in 2024 representing the 12th district. He assumed office on January 1, 2025, succeeding longtime Democratic senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino after redistricting changed the seat's boundaries.

As of 2025, Block is on the Senate Health & Public Affairs committee and the Senate Rules committee. He supports the Second Amendment, right-to-work laws and favors life imprisonment or the death penalty for drug dealers, citing the fentanyl crisis. He also supports the oil and gas industry. He has described himself as an opponent of the "woke left". He opposes abortion and transgender rights.

Personal life Block met his first wife, Kelli, while attending North Dakota State University.

As of 2024, Block had four children and was married to Jennifer. In response, Block stated he "supported her right to say whatever she wanted about his political positions".