Democratic Party of New Mexico

The Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is headquartered in Albuquerque and led by Chair Sara Attleson, Vice Chair Cam Crawford, Secretary Brenda Hoskie, and Treasurer Caroline Zamora.

The party has provided 19 of the 31 governors of New Mexico. It is currently the dominant party in the state, controlling all 3 of New Mexico's U.S. House seats, both U.S. Senate seats, both houses of the state legislature, and the governorship. The New Mexico Democratic Party is led by Jessica Velasquez, with other modern prominent figures include Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez.

Historical development

New Mexico Territory elected its first delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1850: Richard Hanson Weightman, a Democrat. At this time, the Democratic Party was socially conservative and many Democrats supported expanding slavery into new Western territories. This pro-slavery position stopped New Mexico's first attempt at a state constitution (which prohibited slavery) from being ratified in 1850, preventing the territory from becoming a state.

In the early 1900s, Democratic politician Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo led a movement in favor of civil rights for Hispanic and Latino Americans and Spanish speakers in New Mexico. He found that most Latinos identified as Republicans, which disturbed Larrazolo because he felt that the Republican political machine in the territory was exploiting its Hispanic voters. When New Mexico Territory was preparing to become a state in 1910, Larrazolo was selected as a delegate to the constitutional convention. He succeeded in making sure that the state's constitution protected and guaranteed the political, civil, and religious rights of those of Spanish and Mexican descent. However, other state Democrats opposed these protections and unsuccessfully attempted to prevent the new constitution from being ratified. After being opposed by his own party, Larrazolo became a Republican and served as a Republican governor and senator from New Mexico.

Like the national Democratic Party, the Democratic Party of New Mexico underwent significant ideological changes throughout the 20th century. Since the growth of social liberalism began in the party, Democrats have found success in New Mexico. Between 1931 and 1951, and again between 1971 and 1987, all executive offices in the state were consistently held by Democrats. With brief exceptions, there have generally been Democratic majorities in both houses of the New Mexico Legislature since 1930. In 1977, the Democratic Women of New Mexico caucus was founded with the purpose of promoting women's voices in the state and national party. This caucus later became a chapter of the National Federation of Democratic Women.

As of 2020, the Democratic Party of New Mexico is made up of county party organizations in all of the state's 33 counties, and is governed by the State Central Committee of DPNM, which meets twice each year to conduct the regular business of the organization and elect its officers. In addition to the New Mexico Federation of Democratic Women, the party includes a Native American Democratic Caucus, a Labor Caucus, a Veterans Caucus, and several other caucuses. There are also standing DPNM committees for dealing with specific ongoing issues, including affirmative action, budget and finance, platforms and resolutions (SPARC), and state rules (SRC), and the Judicial Council.

Ideological and issue stances

The New Mexico Democratic Party stated its ideological stances in its 2014 platform. Economically, the party supports a balanced budget made possible by progressive taxation and promotes fair trade and fair labor practices. Like the national Democratic Party, the DPNM supports environmental protection and emphasizes the importance of natural resources such as land and water. The party believes that every citizen should have the right to health care, education, and Social Security. It also aims to protect tribal sovereignty and make sure all Native Americans are recognized in the state.

Incumbent Democratic officeholders

All of the state's seven executive offices are held by Democrats. Democrats also hold supermajorities in both houses of the New Mexico State Legislature.

Members of Congress

Democrats control both of New Mexico's U.S. Senate seats and all three of New Mexico's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. Senate

Democrats have controlled both of New Mexico's seats in the U.S. Senate since 2008:

• Senior U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich
• Junior U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján

U.S. House of Representatives

Statewide offices

• Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
• Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales
• Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver

• Attorney General: Raúl Torrez
• State treasurer: Laura Montoya
• Auditor: Joseph Maestas
• Commissioner of Public Lands: Stephanie Garcia Richard

State legislative leaders

• Senate president pro tempore: Mimi Stewart Senate majority leader: Peter Wirth Senate majority whip: Linda Lopez
• House speaker: Brian Egolf Leader of the House: Javier Martínez House majority whip: Doreen Gallegos

Mayors

• Albuquerque: Tim Keller (1)
• Santa Fe: Alan Webber (4)
• Roswell: Timothy Jennings (5)

Election results

Presidential

Gubernatorial

See also

• Political party strength in New Mexico
• New Mexico Democratic primary, 2008
• New Mexico Democratic caucuses, 2004

External links