Ndidiamaka
Ekwua Charlene Okpareke
Republican pharmacist and small-business owner challenging incumbent Democrat in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District in 2026
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Ndidiamaka Ekwua Charlene Okpareke, known as "Didi," is the Republican candidate challenging incumbent Democratic Representative Melanie Stansbury in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, general election. She holds a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of New Mexico College of Pharmacy (2008) and attended Sandia High School. She has lived in the Albuquerque area since 1997, having been born and raised in California's Bay Area; the Albuquerque Journal lists her current city of residence as Rio Rancho. 189
Okpareke founded Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy in 2017 and serves as its president and owner. Prior to starting her own business in 2016, she worked in hospital and retail pharmacy. The Rio Rancho Observer reported in August 2025 that she had never previously held or run for elected office before launching her congressional bid. 171923
Okpareke announced her campaign for Congress in April 2026. The Federal Election Commission lists her as a Republican challenger for New Mexico's 1st District, a seat long held by Democrats. 221
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, New Mexico
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- President and Owner, Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy
- Website
- didiforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Nov 3filingOkpareke faces incumbent Stansbury on general-election ballot in NM-01
Okpareke and Democratic incumbent Melanie Stansbury are listed for the November 3 general election in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, as referenced by The Ballot Brief and Source New Mexico.
87110 Sample Ballot: Bernalillo County, NM 2026 | The Ballot Brief · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsAlbuquerque Journal reiterates Okpareke's healthcare and water infrastructure priorities
A further Albuquerque Journal report described Okpareke's plans to draw on her healthcare experience to reduce Medicaid costs and support rural hospitals, and reiterated her interest in federal water-infrastructure funding and a desalination plant for brackish water recycling.
Republican hopeful faces three-time incumbent Democrat in NM's ... · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsOkpareke outlines healthcare, water, and Iran war positions in Albuquerque Journal profile
The Albuquerque Journal reported Okpareke's fundraising total of $100,340 (from a July report) versus Stansbury's $1.35 million. Okpareke said she would pursue legislation to lower Medicaid costs, support rural hospitals, and fund a large-scale desalination plant. On Iran, she said she agreed with initial military strikes but objected to the conflict's duration and economic effects.
1st Congressional District: Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke (R) · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24newsOkpareke criticizes social programs and opposes data centers in Source NM interview
In an interview reported by Source New Mexico, Okpareke said Stansbury's support for social programs 'incentivize poverty' and called herself 'a hard no for the time being' on data centers, citing concerns about New Mexico's water and energy supply and rising electricity bills.
New Mexico Election 2026: US House of Representatives, District 1 • Source New Mexico · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 2filingOkpareke wins Republican primary for NM-01, becomes GOP nominee
Ballot-information pages and the Albuquerque Journal candidate profile report that party nominees were chosen in the June 2 primary, with Ndidiamaka 'Didi' Okpareke emerging as the Republican nominee to challenge Democratic incumbent Melanie Stansbury in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District.
87110 Sample Ballot: Bernalillo County, NM 2026 | The Ballot Brief · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Republican National Hispanic Assembly (RNHA) organizationListed as an endorsement on iVoterGuide candidate profile; no date or announcement link provided. ivoterguide.com
- Maggie's List organizationMaggie's List announced endorsement of Didi Okpareke for New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. Okpareke said she was 'deeply honored and grateful' for the endorsement. maggieslist.org · Aug 27, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $100K
- Spent
- $58K
- Cash on hand
- $43K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6NM01129(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Republican hopeful faces three-time incumbent Democrat in NM's ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [2] 1st Congressional District: Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke (R)(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [3] New Mexico Election 2026: US House of Representatives, District 1 • Source New Mexico(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [4] 87110 Sample Ballot: Bernalillo County, NM 2026 | The Ballot Brief(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [5] Ndidiamaka Ekwua Charlene Okpareke(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [6] Maggie's List Backs Six Conservative Women, Including ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026