Martin Chavez
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| Martin J. Chávez | |
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| In office 2001 – present |
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| Preceded by | Jim Baca |
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| Born | March 2, 1952 (age 54) Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Martinque/Zeke |
| Residence | Albuquerque |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Website | http://www.cabq.gov/mayor |
Martin J. Chávez (born 1952) is the current Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico. From 1989 to 1993 he served in the New Mexico State Senate and was elected to his first term as Mayor in 1993. Chávez left office in 1997 to run for Governor of New Mexico as the Democratic candidate, but lost to former Governor Gary Johnson. Chávez defeated Mayor Jim Baca in 2001 to start his second term as mayor. In 2005, Chavez was elected to a third term. In early 2007 he announced he was weighing the possibility of running for governor of New Mexico in the 2010 Democratic primary.
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[edit] Background and education
Born in Albuquerque and of Hispanic heritage, Mayor Chávez attended both parochial (St. Charles Borromeo and Holy Ghost) and public (Van Buren and Manzano High) schools. After graduating from Manzano High School, Chávez earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University, following in the footsteps of his father. He was the founding Director of the Workers’ Compensation Administration in 1986.
[edit] Years in the State Senate
From 1989 to 1993 he served in the New Mexico State Senate, where he worked initiatives from early voting, ethics reform, to urban forestry and workers compensation.
[edit] First term as Mayor
From 1993 through 1997 Chávez served as Mayor of Albuquerque in a term that featured a city-wide clean up, lowered crime rates and the construction of the long-sought Montaño Bridge. Chávez also initiated a highly successful water conservation campaign and helped lead the fight to protect Kirtland Air Force Base from closure.
[edit] Run for Governor
In 1998, Chávez decided not to run for re-election as Mayor of Albuquerque and instead ran for Governor of New Mexico. He made it out of the NM Democratic primary as the nominee and ran against former Governor Gary Johnson. Chávez fought hard, but fell short and lost to former Governor Johnson.
[edit] Second term as mayor
In 2001, Chávez came out on top in a seven person race. He faced former NM Governor Dave Cargo in a run-off election. Chavez won by less than 600 votes, the closet mayoral election in Albuquerque history.
[edit] Third term
In 2005, Mayor Chávez was the first mayor to be re-elected to consecutive terms since the creation of the strong mayoral form of government in the 1974. His third term has brought continued support of a strong support of public safety. The Mayor sponsored the first municipal form of Kendra's Law, which passed the City Council. Montano was opened to four lanes,and Albuquerque was ranked #1 by Forbes magazine as best place to do business in the Country. The Mayor continues to be a pro-business Democrat. Mayor Martin Chavez has similarites to former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani for his tough stance on crime and strong bipartisan support. also known as DLC, which Bill Clinton started.
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