Hector Balderas

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Hector Balderas
State Auditor of New Mexico
Incumbent
Assumed office
2007
Preceded by Domingo Martinez
Personal details
Born (1973-08-16) August 16, 1973
Denver, Colorado
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Denise Balderas
Children Hector, Arianna, Mariola
Alma mater University of New Mexico School of Law (J.D.)
New Mexico Highlands University (B.S.)
Profession Attorney
Religion Roman Catholic
Website State Auditor’s Website
Campaign Website
New Mexico
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
New Mexico

Hector H. Balderas Jr. (born August 16, 1973) is an American attorney and politician who is currently serving as the New Mexico State Auditor.[1] 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.[2] Before being elected to the office of State Auditor, Balderas served as a State Representative in the New Mexico Legislature from 2004 to 2006. Balderas also serves as the elected Treasurer of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.[3]

On April 21, 2011, Hector Balderas filed the necessary paperwork to run for the U.S. Senate seat left open by retiring Democrat Jeff Bingaman in the 2012 Democratic U.S. Senate Primary in New Mexico.[4][5][6]

Early life, education and career

Balderas was raised in Wagon Mound, New Mexico, a village in Mora County, New Mexico. He is the son of a Mexican father and was raised by his single mother in Wagon Mound. Balderas attended Wagon Mound High School and participated in TRIO Upward Bound, a federally funded college prep program. Hector graduated from Wagon Mound High school with 16 other students.

Balderas attended New Mexico Highlands University where he served on the student senate. Balderas grew up in public housing but became the first person in his family and from Wagon Mound to receive a Juris Doctor (JD), graduating in 2001 from the University of New Mexico School of Law. While in law school, Balderas served as the Council Chair of the Graduate and Professional Student Association.[7]

After law school, he served from 2002 to 2003 as an Assistant District Attorney for Bernalillo County prosecuting DUI and domestic violence offenders.[8] Between 2005 and 2006, Balderas was a special prosecutor for domestic violence cases in the 4th Judicial District of New Mexico.[9]

Political career

State Representative

At the age of 29, and with no prior political experience, Balderas ran for a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. He beat the odds when he defeated a Democratic incumbent in the primary by a two-to-one margin and then beat a Republican in the general election.[10]

In his first term as a State Representative from District 68, Balderas passed sweeping legislation to strengthen penalties for sexual predators, establish investment incentives for clean energy and fund virtual education for rural public schools. Balderas also sponsored “truthful interrogations” legislation which gained national recognition as one of the most significant reforms to the criminal justice system. Balderas was nationally recognized alongside then State Senator Barack Obama of Illinois for passing legislation that requires police to record their in-house interrogations with suspected killers. "Having the best evidence is in everyone's interest," Balderas said. "I think the average person sees it as common sense." In the same two-year period, Balderas led the effort to amend the New Mexico Criminal Code to reflect consistency and parity in sentencing. He also advocated for DUI reform and led the fight to protect consumers from price gouging in times of emergency or disaster.

In recognition of his legislative accomplishments, Balderas was named Rookie-Leader-of-the-Year by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce for his work on energy development and Outstanding Rookie by the League of Conservation Voters.

State Auditor

During his first term, he was chosen by the Democratic Party of New Mexico to replace Jeff Armijo on the ballot for State Auditor and with a shorter period to campaign, won the election with nearly 55% of the vote.[11] He was re-elected in 2010 and earned the second most number of votes for any of New Mexico’s Democratic statewide candidates.[12]

As New Mexico’s State Auditor, Balderas provides regulatory oversight to over $60 billion in governmental assets and 603 government entities. As the state’s top government watchdog, Balderas has aggressively combated fraud and financial abuse throughout New Mexico. Additionally, he has expanded the size and scope of the State Auditor’s office by hiring criminal investigators, developing a fraud hotline and expanding training and outreach operations.[13] Balderas also helped uncover embezzlement from the Jemez Mountain School District involving more than $3 million. A finance manager for the school system pleaded guilty to multiple felonies and then killed herself before she was sentenced.

Balderas has taken the Office of State Auditor from a position of obscurity to a well-known state entity through high profile investigations and constant media appearances.[citation needed] As a State Representative and State Auditor, Balderas has earned a reputation for being a champion of youth involvement in policy making, enacting common-sense laws for policy issues ranging from clean energy to police interrogation, and for coming down on members of both parties in investigations of fraud and waste.[citation needed]

U.S. Senate campaign

Balderas was a candidate for the US Senate seat in 2012 held by retiring Democrat Jeff Bingaman. He announced his run for the United States Senate on April 26, 2011 by launching his website and announcing via Video on YouTube.

Other positions

  • Treasurer Board Member, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO). NALEO is a national nonpartisan organization with a network of more than 6,000 governmental, political, and business leaders who conduct civic projects, training and technical assistance for the Latino community. There are 24 members on the board of directors.
  • Delegate, American Council of Young Political Leaders. Balderas has traveled to Pakistan as a selected delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders. While in Pakistan, Balderas met with the country’s Foreign Minister and leaders from all political parties to discuss developing better international relations and cooperation. In New Mexico, Balderas has hosted leadership delegations from China, Czech Republic, and several African nations to promote greater transparency and accountability in government.

Honors and accolades

  • Recipient of the 2011 Conservation Voters New Mexico Sunshine Award. Balderas was recognized for his steadfast work as State Auditor in rooting out fraud and corruption, and shining sunlight on the operations of state government. According to CVNM, his hard work has resulted in millions of dollars of savings and the enforcement of key safeguards that protect New Mexico’s natural resources.[14]
  • Recipient of the 2010 recipient John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award, which honors young Americans who are changing their community through a commitment to public service. He is the first New Mexican to receive the annual award. The award is presented annually to exceptional young Americans under the age of 40 whose contributions in elective office, community service or advocacy demonstrate the impact and value of public service in the spirit of John F. Kennedy.[15]
  • New Mexico State Bar Association 2006 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award.

Personal life

Balderas and his wife Denise have three children, Hector III, Arianna and Mariola. Balderas is a special needs advocate and frequent participant in the New Mexico Special Olympics annual torch run; his daughter Arianna was born with down syndrome. He also has two siblings and is a practicing Catholic.

References

  1. ↑ "The New Mexico State Auditor's Office". 
  2. ↑ "State Auditor Honored With JFK Award". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 1 December 2010. 
  3. ↑ "Hector Balderas, Democrat for State Auditor". The New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association. 
  4. ↑ "NM-SEN: Hector Balderas Announces Candidacy". The Daily Grito. 
  5. ↑ "NM-Sen: Hector Balderas is In". Daily Kos. 
  6. ↑ "Balderas, Hasner file paperwork for Senate bids". Politico. 
  7. ↑ "The UNM Graduate and Professional Student Association". 
  8. ↑ Baker, Deborah. "Reform System Vs. 'Catch Bad Guy' Approach". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 3 October 2010. 
  9. ↑ Baker, Deborah. "Reform System Vs. 'Catch Bad Guy' Approach". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 3 October 2010. 
  10. ↑ http://newmexicoindependent.com/11085/rising-rapidly-balderas-is-interested-in-lieutenant-governor-post
  11. ↑ http://www.sos.state.nm.us/06GenResults/Statewide.pdf
  12. ↑ http://www.sos.state.nm.us/10GenResults/SOSNMG10CAN.pdf
  13. ↑ http://www.balderas2010.com/?page_id=2
  14. ↑ "State Auditor Hector Balderas Receives "Sunshine Award" from Conservation Voters New Mexico". Democracy for New Mexico. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  15. ↑ "New Frontier Award". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved 10 April 2011. 
  16. ↑ "The Hispanic Business 100 Most Influential Hispanics". Hispanic Business Magazine. Retrieved October 2007. 

External links

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