Linda M. Lopez

Linda M. Lopez (born March 13, 1964) is an American politician and businesswoman serving as a member of the New Mexico Senate from the 11th district. Lopez has also served as the chair of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party since 2003.[1]

For the Arizona politician, see Linda J. Lopez.
Linda Lopez
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 11th district
Assumed office
1997
Preceded byTom R. Benavides
Personal details
Born (1964-03-13) March 13, 1964
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children1
EducationCollege of Santa Fe (BBA, MBA)

Early life and education

Lopez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[1] She earned a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration from the College of Santa Fe.[2] While in the legislature, she attended University of New Mexico School of Law but dropped out when her mother fell ill.[3][4]

Career

Lopez previously worked in the human resources department at and Sandia National Laboratories and Albuquerque's Presbyterian Hospital.[4] She owns a consulting firm based in Albuquerque.[3]

New Mexico Senate

Lopez was first elected to the New Mexico Senate in 1996, representing a district that includes the southwest portion of Albuquerque, New Mexico.[4][5] She has served since 1997 and is the longtime chair of the Senate Rules Committee. She was also the Chairman of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party from 2003 to 2004. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico in 2010, coming fourth out of five candidates.[1][4][3]

Lopez ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in the 2014 New Mexico gubernatorial election.[6] She came in last place in the Democratic primary election: state Attorney General Gary King won the nomination with about 35% of the vote, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber received about 23%, Lawrence Rael received about 20%, Howie Morales received about 14%, and Lopez received about 8%.[7][8]

In the Senate, Lopez has supported renewable energy mandates and a moratorium on fracking.[2] She supported allowing unaffiliated voters to participate in primary elections, increased funding for early childhood education and other early childhood services, and the use of emergency powers to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico.[2] Lopez voted in favor of medical marijuana in New Mexico and stated that, "With proper oversight and structure, I will support legalizing recreational marijuana."[2] She has supported legislation to mandate the wearing of body-worn cameras by almost all state and local law enforcement officers in New Mexico.[9] A supporter of abortion rights,[2] Lopez sponsored legislation to remove from New Mexico's statute books the state's 1969 anti-abortion law, which has been largely unenforceable since Roe v. Wade (1973); the proposal failed in a 24–18 vote in the state Senate.[10][11]

Lopez has sponsored legislation in 2019 to create a task force to design a monument at the site of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, an 1862 American Civil War battle in which Union forces beat back a Confederate Army advance.[12]

Personal life

Lopez is Roman Catholic. She is divorced and has one son and a daughter.[1]

On January 3, 2023, a suspect fired over a dozen gunshots at Lopez's home, three of which went through Lopez's 10-year-old daughter's bedroom. No injuries were reported. Solomon Peña, an unsuccessful Republican candidate for state representative, was later arrested in connection with the shooting, along with several other shootings that targeted Democratic politicians in Albuquerque.[13]

References
  1. "Senator Linda M. Lopez's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  2. "Q&A: Senate District 11 Candidate Linda M. Lopez". Albuquerque Journal. September 24, 2020.
  3. Terrell, Steve (April 15, 2013). "Sen. Linda Lopez prepares to run for governor". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
  4. Monteleone, James (May 13, 2014). "Lopez points to her experience, background". Albuquerque Journal.
  5. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Linda M. Lopez". Our Campaigns.
  6. Simonich, Milan (April 15, 2013). "Morales bases approach on 'second-to-none' mentality". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  7. Monteleone, James (June 4, 2014). "Gary King wins gov primary". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
  8. "OFFICIAL RESULTS Primary - June 3, 2014". New Mexico Secretary of State.
  9. Lee, Morgan (June 22, 2020). "New Mexico lawmakers back mandatory police body cameras". AP News.
  10. McKay, Dan (March 15, 2019). "Senate blocks repeal of 1969 abortion ban". Albuquerque Journal.
  11. Lee, Morgan (March 14, 2019). "New Mexico state Senate upholds dormant ban on abortion". AP News.
  12. Contreras, Russell (February 26, 2019). "Proposal seeks memorial for US Civil War site in New Mexico". AP News.
  13. Yamat, Rio (January 17, 2023). "Ex-GOP candidate arrested in shootings at lawmakers' homes". AP News. Retrieved January 17, 2023.
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