Hector Hugo Balderas Jr. (born August 16, 1973) is an American lawyer and former prosecutor who served as the attorney general of New Mexico from 2015 to 2023. In 2006, Balderas became the youngest statewide Hispanic elected official in the nation when he won his first race for New Mexico state auditor at the age of 33.[1] Before that 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.[2]
In an article published November 17, 2014, Balderas was identified as one of seven Democratic state executive officials who could gain national prominence by leading the party to a national comeback.[3]
Steve Terrell of The Santa Fe New Mexican wrote on May 16, 2015 that Balderas, who won his attorney-general race, was the only Hispanic on the statewide Democratic ticket in 2014. He was the top vote-getter of all statewide candidates that year, winning 1,565 more votes than Governor Susana Martinez.[4]
In his first term, Balderas passed sweeping legislation to strengthen penalties for sexual predators, worked to strengthen drug laws against methamphetamine and date rape drugs, established investment incentives for clean energy and funded 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.[citation needed]
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 legislative 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.[10] He was re-elected in 2010 and earned the second-highest number of votes of any of New Mexico's Democratic statewide candidates.[11]
Balderas was a candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in 2012 held by retiring Democrat Jeff Bingaman. He lost the Democratic primary to Martin Heinrich.[12]
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.
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. KennedyNew 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.
In 2010, Hector Balderas was awarded the Liberty and Justice Award by the New Mexico Hispanic Bar Association for his contributions to empowerment for Hispanics in education and the legal profession.[citation needed]
Personal life
Balderas and his wife Denise have three children. 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.[citation needed]
Electoral history
New Mexico House of Representatives 68th District Democratic Primary Election, 2004
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Hector Balderas
2,788
56.06
Democratic
Bengie Regensberg (inc.)
1,427
28.69
Democratic
Severiano Sisneros Jr.
758
15.24
New Mexico House of Representatives 68th District Election, 2004
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Hector Balderas
6,655
61.76
Republican
Roger Gonzales
4,120
38.24
New Mexico Auditor Election, 2006
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Hector Balderas
298,143
54.77
Republican
Lorenzo Garcia
246,225
45.23
New Mexico Auditor Election, 2010
Party
Candidate
Votes
%
Democratic
Hector Balderas (inc.)
323,427
55.15
Republican
Errol Chavez
263,008
44.85
New Mexico U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Election, 2012
