Patricia A. Madrid
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| Patricia A. Madrid | |
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| In office 1999 – 2007 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Stewart Udall |
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| Succeeded by | Gary King |
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| Born | 1947 Las Cruces, New Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
Patricia A. Madrid is an American politician and the former Attorney General for the U.S. state of New Mexico. She is a member of the Democratic Party.
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[edit] Political career
Madrid won her first campaign in 1978 when she became the first woman elected to sit as a district court judge in New Mexico. In 1998, she became the first woman elected Attorney General of the State of New Mexico. She was re-elected in 2002.
In 2005, Madrid became the chairperson of the Western Conference of Attorneys General, which focuses on energy, environment and Indian gaming issues.
Madrid ran in 2006 for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in New Mexico's 1st congressional district. She lost to Republican incumbent, Heather Wilson by 875 (out of 211,000) votes. Obverses speculate Wilson's ethical problems involving the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico may provide an interesting backdrop for a rematch.
[edit] Notable actions as Attorney General
- Established a Capital Litigation Unit to provide assistance to district attorneys statewide prosecuting violent crimes and death penalty cases.
- Introduced New Mexico's first state-level Crime Victim's Services Unit.
- Established the Violence Against Women unit, which received a grant for over $560,000 to provide training for first responders to domestic violence incidents in rural New Mexico.
- Established the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
- Convicted a number of individuals for the illegal dumping of rendering plant waste near irrigation ditches in violation of the state's Water Quality Act.
- Helped found the Endangered Species Act Work Group, which brings together farmers and municipalities, federal, state and environmental interests.
[edit] Awards and recognitions
- Hispanic National Bar Association Latina Lawyer of the Year
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving Annual Award for Elected Officials
- New Mexico's Commission on the Status of Women Trailblazer Award
- Capital Business and Professional Women of Santa Fe Woman of the Year in Government Award
- Animal Protection of New Mexico 2004 Milagro Executive Director’s Award
- New Mexico Business Weekly three time New Mexico Power Broker
