Jacob Candelaria

Jacob R. Candelaria is an American politician from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who represents the 26th District in the New Mexico Senate. First elected in 2012, he is a member of the Democratic Party.[1]

No Republican filed for the seat in the solidly Democratic district, and Candelaria ran unopposed in the November general election.[2]

The 26th district (map) is located entirely within Bernalillo County and contains the westside of the city of Albuquerque.

Early life and career

Candelaria was born and raised in Albuquerque, brought up by a single mother. He attended St. Pius X High School on Albuquerque's westside before graduating from Princeton University with a degree in public and international affairs with a focus on economics and finance.[3]

On graduating from Princeton, he returned to Albuquerque, working for Think New Mexico, the New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee and Ben Lujan, the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives.[4] In August 2011, he was appointed President and CEO of Equality New Mexico, the state's largest gay rights organization.[5]

Political career

On March 5, 2012, Candelaria announced his candidacy for the New Mexico Senate, seeking the Democratic nomination in the 26th district.[6] He was initially one of four Democrats to have filed for the seat, including incumbent Sen. Bernadette Sanchez. However, Sanchez abandoned her re-election bid on March 23, citing a desire to concentrate on her health.[7] Three days later, Steve D. Gallegos, a former Albuquerque city councilor and Bernalillo County commissioner, dropped his bid for the seat and endorsed Candelaria.[8]

The Democratic primary election held on June 5, 2012 was therefore a two-way fight between Candelaria and opponent Carlos Jose Villanueva. Candelaria took 69% of the vote, winning 1,835 votes to Villanueva's 828.[9]

Personal

Candelaria is openly gay. He is the first gay man to serve in the New Mexico Legislature and only the second LGBT person, after former state senator Liz Stefanics.[2]

Candelaria's campaign won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund.[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Progressive Dems Suffer Setback". Albuquerque Journal. 2012-06-07. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 ""At the end of the day, it didn’t make much of a difference to folks" — first openly gay man heading to the Roundhouse". Capitol Report New Mexico. 2012-06-20. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  3. ↑ "Editorial: Recommendations For New Mexico Senate". Albuquerque Journal. 2012-05-16. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  4. ↑ "About | Candelaria for State Senate". jacobcandelaria.com. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  5. ↑ "EQNM Welcomes Jacob Candelaria as New President-CEO" (Press release). Democracy for New Mexico. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  6. ↑ "Jacob Candelaria to Launch State Senate Run in Albuquerque". Democrats of Chaves County. 2012-03-07. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  7. ↑ "Another lawmaker drops out; more could be kicked off ballot". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  8. ↑ "Two-way race for Senate District 26". New Mexico Telegram. 2012-03-26. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  9. ↑ "2012 primary results". Secretary of State of New Mexico. 2012-07-09. Retrieved 2012-08-20.
  10. ↑ "Gay man to become New Mexico's only out LGBT state legislator". Gaypolitics.com. 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-08-20.

External links