Democratic Party of New Mexico
Encyclopedia
The Democratic Party of New Mexico is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party
in the state of New Mexico
, headquartered in Albuquerque
. The party is led by Chairman Javier Gonzales and Vice-Chair Annadelle Sanchez.
made well-known contributions to the New Mexico Democratic Party back in the early 1900s. His involvement had long lasting effects on New Mexico's constitution. He insisted that the 1910 document safeguard the rights of Spanish-speaking New Mexicans. When writing the articles on the Bill of Rights, Education and the Elective Franchise, Larrazolo and others deemed it essential to guarantee the political, civil, and religious rights of those of Spanish and Mexican descent. The resulting constitution made it unique among the American states. Octaviano Larrazolo was elected governor of New Mexico in 1918. Throughout his administration, Larrazolo made his decisions based on principle rather than on partisan politics. Labor activists strongly criticized his declaration of martial law at the time of a coal miners’ strike. On the other hand, corporations roundly criticized him for supporting a stronger state income tax law. In another instance, he vetoed a Republican resolution passed by the state legislature which condemned the League of Nations
. This defiance angered the dominant members of his party. Hence why during the constitutional convention, Larrazolo decided to leave the Democratic Party. He did not approve of the Democratic delegates plan to block ratification of the constitution. He joined the Republican Party
and remained a Republican throughout his life.
In the 1970s women wanted to have their own voice and get more involved so the Democratic Women of New Mexico was formed in 1977 to give women a stronger voice in the Democratic Party of NM. The State organization became an affiliate of the National Federation of Democratic Women in 1977. Kathy Duffy is the President of the organization and Marie Sedillo is the vice president.
The economic section of the platform advocates a balanced budget that supports the needs of all citizens by applying progressive taxes, fair trade, fair labor practices, and measures to ensure a sustainable environment.
The environment and energy section states that the party values the people, land, water, and air that sustain us and believe that we have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.
The government and civil liberties section states that the party values an ethical, open, and participatory government that protects the freedom and liberty of its citizens.
The health, education, and social security sections asserts that every citizen has the right to universal health care
, superior education, and a protected future.
The military & international relations
section supports a multilateral foreign policy that respects the sovereignty of nations, follows international law, and policies that honor veterans, and protect national security.
The Tribal Sovereignty
section of the platform supports protecting tribal sovereignty and the recognition of Native American contribution.
The cultural affairs and arts section supports a vibrant arts community that is advanced by and accessible to the public
The Affirmative Action committee's mission "is to assure that all registered Democrats in the State of New Mexico are adequately represented and treated equally within the Rules of the Democrat Party and the Laws of the State of New Mexico."
On the state level the Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer and Commissioner of Public Lands are all held by Democrats.
On the federal level the United States Senate has two Democrats in office, and the House of Representatives has two Democrats.
All officials who hold positions in New Mexico are elected by the public during a general election. The positions that are held by the Democratic Party of New Mexico can change during every election.
The New Mexico Democratic Party holds four of the state's seven statewide offices and holds a majority in both the New Mexico Senate
and the New Mexico House of Representatives
. Democrats also hold both of the state's U.S. Senate seats and two of the state's three U.S. House seats.
State
Federal
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
in the state of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, headquartered in Albuquerque
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat of Bernalillo County and is situated in the central part of the state, straddling the Rio Grande. The city population was 545,852 as of the 2010 Census and ranks as the 32nd-largest city in the U.S. As...
. The party is led by Chairman Javier Gonzales and Vice-Chair Annadelle Sanchez.
Historical development
Octaviano Ambrosio LarrazoloOctaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo
Octavio Ambrosio Larrazolo served as the fourth Governor of New Mexico and a United States Senator. He was the first United States Senator of Mexican-American heritage....
made well-known contributions to the New Mexico Democratic Party back in the early 1900s. His involvement had long lasting effects on New Mexico's constitution. He insisted that the 1910 document safeguard the rights of Spanish-speaking New Mexicans. When writing the articles on the Bill of Rights, Education and the Elective Franchise, Larrazolo and others deemed it essential to guarantee the political, civil, and religious rights of those of Spanish and Mexican descent. The resulting constitution made it unique among the American states. Octaviano Larrazolo was elected governor of New Mexico in 1918. Throughout his administration, Larrazolo made his decisions based on principle rather than on partisan politics. Labor activists strongly criticized his declaration of martial law at the time of a coal miners’ strike. On the other hand, corporations roundly criticized him for supporting a stronger state income tax law. In another instance, he vetoed a Republican resolution passed by the state legislature which condemned the League of Nations
League of Nations
The League of Nations was an intergovernmental organization founded as a result of the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. It was the first permanent international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace...
. This defiance angered the dominant members of his party. Hence why during the constitutional convention, Larrazolo decided to leave the Democratic Party. He did not approve of the Democratic delegates plan to block ratification of the constitution. He joined the Republican Party
Republican Party of New Mexico
The Republican Party of New Mexico is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in New Mexico, headquartered in Albuquerque. The party is led by Chairman Monty Newman....
and remained a Republican throughout his life.
In the 1970s women wanted to have their own voice and get more involved so the Democratic Women of New Mexico was formed in 1977 to give women a stronger voice in the Democratic Party of NM. The State organization became an affiliate of the National Federation of Democratic Women in 1977. Kathy Duffy is the President of the organization and Marie Sedillo is the vice president.
Ideological & issue stances
The New Mexico Democratic Party's platform adopted on March 13, 2010 focuses on some important issues such as the economy, environment and energy, government and civil liberties, health, education, social security, etc.The economic section of the platform advocates a balanced budget that supports the needs of all citizens by applying progressive taxes, fair trade, fair labor practices, and measures to ensure a sustainable environment.
The environment and energy section states that the party values the people, land, water, and air that sustain us and believe that we have a responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.
The government and civil liberties section states that the party values an ethical, open, and participatory government that protects the freedom and liberty of its citizens.
The health, education, and social security sections asserts that every citizen has the right to universal health care
Universal health care
Universal health care is a term referring to organized health care systems built around the principle of universal coverage for all members of society, combining mechanisms for health financing and service provision.-History:...
, superior education, and a protected future.
The military & international relations
International relations
International relations is the study of relationships between countries, including the roles of states, inter-governmental organizations , international nongovernmental organizations , non-governmental organizations and multinational corporations...
section supports a multilateral foreign policy that respects the sovereignty of nations, follows international law, and policies that honor veterans, and protect national security.
The Tribal Sovereignty
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
section of the platform supports protecting tribal sovereignty and the recognition of Native American contribution.
The cultural affairs and arts section supports a vibrant arts community that is advanced by and accessible to the public
Organizational structure
The Democratic Party of New Mexico has committees on various important issues such as an affirmative action committee, budget committee, platforms and resolution committee, rules committee, and the judicial council.The Affirmative Action committee's mission "is to assure that all registered Democrats in the State of New Mexico are adequately represented and treated equally within the Rules of the Democrat Party and the Laws of the State of New Mexico."
Current Democratic officeholders
New Mexico has seven positions that can be held by various political parties. Of those seven positions, four of them are held by Democrats as of 2011.On the state level the Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer and Commissioner of Public Lands are all held by Democrats.
On the federal level the United States Senate has two Democrats in office, and the House of Representatives has two Democrats.
All officials who hold positions in New Mexico are elected by the public during a general election. The positions that are held by the Democratic Party of New Mexico can change during every election.
The New Mexico Democratic Party holds four of the state's seven statewide offices and holds a majority in both the New Mexico Senate
New Mexico Senate
The New Mexico Senate is the upper house of the New Mexico State Legislature. The Senate consists of 42 members, with each senator representing an equal amount of single-member constituent districts across the state. All senatorial districts are divided to contain a population on average of 43,300...
and the New Mexico House of Representatives
New Mexico House of Representatives
The New Mexico House of Representatives is the lower house of the New Mexico State Legislature.There are 70 members of the House. Each member represents roughly 25,980 residents of New Mexico.The Speaker of the House is Ben Luján .-Composition:...
. Democrats also hold both of the state's U.S. Senate seats and two of the state's three U.S. House seats.
State
- Attorney General: Gary KingGary King (politician)Gary King is the Attorney General of New Mexico, first elected in 2006. His current term will end January 2011. His father, Bruce King, was a three-time Governor of New Mexico. His mother, Alice King, was a three-time First Lady of New Mexico.King attended New Mexico State University and obtained...
- State AuditorState auditorState auditors are executive officers of U.S. states who serve as auditors and comptrollers for state funds....
: Hector BalderasHector BalderasHector H. Balderas Jr. is an American attorney and politician who is currently serving as the New Mexico State Auditor . Balderas became the youngest statewide Hispanic elected official in the nation in 2006 when he won his first race for State Auditor at the age of 33... - State TreasurerState TreasurerIn the state governments of the United States, 49 of the 50 states have the executive position of treasurer. Texas abolished the position of Texas State Treasurer in 1996....
: James B. Lewis - Commissioner of Public Lands: Ray Powell
Federal
- U.S. Senate
- Jeff BingamanJeff BingamanJesse Francis "Jeff" Bingaman, Jr. , is the senior U.S. Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party...
- Tom UdallTom UdallThomas Stewart "Tom" Udall is the junior United States Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party. He had represented as a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. Udall was elected as the junior United States senator from New Mexico on November 4, 2008,...
- Jeff Bingaman
- U.S. House of Representatives
- Martin HeinrichMartin HeinrichMartin T. Heinrich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes the central area of the state, in and around Albuquerque.- Early life, education and career :...
, 1st DistrictColorado's 1st congressional districtColorado's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado based primarily in the City and County of Denver in the central part of the state... - Ben R. LujanBen R. LujanBen Ray Luján is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in Santa Fe, the state capital, and includes most of the northern portion of the state....
, 3rd DistrictColorado's 3rd congressional districtColorado's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Colorado. The district is located in western and south central Colorado, encompassing most of the rural Western Slope...
- Martin Heinrich
Current elected officials
- United States Senator Jeff BingamanJeff BingamanJesse Francis "Jeff" Bingaman, Jr. , is the senior U.S. Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party...
- United States Senator Tom UdallTom UdallThomas Stewart "Tom" Udall is the junior United States Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party. He had represented as a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. Udall was elected as the junior United States senator from New Mexico on November 4, 2008,...
- United States Representative Ben R. LujánBen R. LujanBen Ray Luján is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in Santa Fe, the state capital, and includes most of the northern portion of the state....
- United States representative Martin HeinrichMartin HeinrichMartin T. Heinrich is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes the central area of the state, in and around Albuquerque.- Early life, education and career :...
- Attorney General Gary KingGary King (politician)Gary King is the Attorney General of New Mexico, first elected in 2006. His current term will end January 2011. His father, Bruce King, was a three-time Governor of New Mexico. His mother, Alice King, was a three-time First Lady of New Mexico.King attended New Mexico State University and obtained...
- New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas
- New Mexico State Treasurer James B. Lewis
- New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands Ray Powell Jr.
Legislative leaders
- New Mexico House of RepresentativesNew Mexico House of RepresentativesThe New Mexico House of Representatives is the lower house of the New Mexico State Legislature.There are 70 members of the House. Each member represents roughly 25,980 residents of New Mexico.The Speaker of the House is Ben Luján .-Composition:...
:- Speaker Ben LujánBen LujanBen Lujan is an American politician. A Democrat, he is currently the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives. He has served in the House since 1975 and as Speaker since 2001. His legislative district, the 46th, is composed mostly of Santa Fe....
- Majority Leader W. Ken MartinezW. Ken MartinezW. Ken Martinez is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing the 69th District since 1998.-External links:* official NM House website* profile*Follow the Money - W. Ken Martinez** campaign contributions...
- Speaker Ben Luján
- New Mexico SenateNew Mexico SenateThe New Mexico Senate is the upper house of the New Mexico State Legislature. The Senate consists of 42 members, with each senator representing an equal amount of single-member constituent districts across the state. All senatorial districts are divided to contain a population on average of 43,300...
:- President pro tempore Timothy JenningsTimothy JenningsTimothy Zeph Jennings is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 32nd District since 1978. He served as Majority Whip from 1992 through 1996.-External links:* official NM Senate website* profile...
- Majority Leader Michael SanchezMichael SanchezFor the Cuban volleyball player with the same name see Michael Sánchez Michael Sanchez is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 29th District since 1992.-External links:* official NM Senate website* profile...
- President pro tempore Timothy Jennings