Jerry Apodaca
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| Raymond S. "Jerry" Apodaca | |
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| In office 1983 – 1997 |
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| Preceded by | Bruce King |
| Succeeded by | Bruce King |
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| Born | October 3, 1934 New Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Profession | Insurance Businessman |
Raymond S. "Jerry" Apodaca (born October 3, 1934, Las Cruces, New Mexico) is a former Governor of New Mexico.
Apodaca graduated from the University of New Mexico, and went into the insurance business. In 1965, he was elected to the New Mexico Senate, serving four terms from 1966 to 1974. Apodaca was elected governor of New Mexico as a Democrat in 1974, becoming the first Hispanic governor in the U.S. since 1918, along with Arizona Governor Raúl Héctor Castro, also elected that year.
Apodaca reorganized the New Mexico state government, creating a cabinet system with twelve departments. He also consolidated agencies and abolished several boards and commissions. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed Apodaca as Chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. After his term as governor, Apodaca became involved in publishing Hispanic-audience periodicals. He was a member of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents from 1985 to 1991. In 2004, the headquarters building of the New Mexico Department of Education was renamed for Apodaca.
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| Preceded by Bruce King |
Governor of New Mexico 1975-1979 |
Succeeded by Bruce King |
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