Democratic Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham, a three term Representative of the 1st District of New Mexico will be seeking New Mexico’s gubernatorial seat. The sitting Governor Susana Martinez (R) is prevented by term limits to seek another term, leaving the seat open. If Michelle Lujan Grisham is elected, she will be the first Democratic woman of color to serve as governor from any state. This would end the currently divided New Mexican government, with a Republican governor and a Democratic legislature.
Background and Achievements
Michelle Lujan Grisham is a 12th-generation New Mexican. After graduating from the University of New Mexico’s law school, Lujan Grisham worked to provide pro-bono legal services for the elderly. Her work in protecting New Mexico’s senior population continued when she served as director of the state agency on aging for 14 years, pioneering innovative practices now used nationwide, including undercover inspections of nursing home facilities.
Lujan Grisham was appointed New Mexico’s Secretary of the Department of Health in 2004 where she expanded the amount of school-based health centers, which included new teen pregnancy prevention programs. She was also elected to the Bernalillo County Commission in 2010, where she served for two years before being elected to New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District in 2012. Lujan Grisham has now served three terms as a US Congresswoman and is currently serving as chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Lujan Grisham also currently serves on the Budget Committee and Agriculture Committee in the US House of Representatives. On this committee she has passed legislation to aid local tribes, public schools and job training programs for law enforcement in New Mexico.
Positions on Key Issues
- Supports investing in the public school system
- Supporting the senior population
- Aims to make New Mexico a leader in clean energy
- Advocates for comprehensive immigration reform
- Supports accessible and affordable health care
- Strong advocate for same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ rights
- Supports women’s health and rights
Prospects & Opponents
Even though the current governor is a Republican, New Mexico voted majority Democratic in the 2016 presidential election and currently has both houses of the legislature under Democratic majority. This election has been deemed likely Democrat with four Democrats and one Republican currently in the race. Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham is the leading Democrat in the race.