Laura M. Montoya (born 1977/1978)[1] is an American politician from New Mexico. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the New Mexico State Treasurer.
Laura Montoya | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 31st Treasurer of New Mexico | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Governor | Michelle Lujan Grisham |
| Preceded by | Tim Eichenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1977 or 1978 (age 46–47) Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | New Mexico Highlands University (BA, MPA) |
Early life and career
editMontoya was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She lived in both San Miguel and Mora counties while growing up.[2]
Montoya earned a bachelor's degree in political science and psychology from New Mexico Highlands University.[3] She began working in government for state Senator Pete Campos and then worked for U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman as a constituent services representative. Meanwhile, she earned a Master of Public Affairs from New Mexico Highlands University.[2]
Political career
editIn 2012, Montoya was elected as the treasurer for Sandoval County, New Mexico. She was reelected in 2016.[4] In July 2019, Montoya entered the 2020 elections for the United States House of Representatives for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district.[5] She lost the Democratic Party nomination to Teresa Leger Fernandez.[6]
In August 2021, with New Mexico State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg prevented from running for a third term due to term limits, Montoya announced her candidacy to succeed him in the 2022 election.[7] She faced Heather Benavidez, Eichenberg's chief of staff, in the Democratic primary election.[2][8] Montoya won the nomination and faced Harry Montoya, a county commissioner from Santa Fe County and the Republican Party nominee, in the general election.[9][10] She won the election with 53 percent of the vote.[11]
Personal life
editMontoya lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.[3] In March 2014, she was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly punching and biting her ex-boyfriend that February. She claimed that she acted in self-defense.[12] The case was dismissed in June when her ex-boyfriend did not attend court.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Montoya sprints to victory in contentious Democratic primary for treasurer". June 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c Cook, Mike (May 16, 2022). "Laura Montoya campaigns for state treasurer during Doña Ana County visit". Las Cruces Bulletin. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Nott, Robert (August 4, 2021). "Sandoval County treasurer running for top treasurer seat". Santa Fe New Mexican.
- ^ "Laura M. Montoya Running For New Mexico State Treasurer". Ladailypost.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "Sandoval Treasurer Laura Montoya enters 3rd CD race - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. July 2, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Updated June 24, 2020, 5:47 PM ET (June 2, 2020). "Live: New Mexico State Primary Election Results 2020 - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ex-Sandoval County Treasurer Montoya enters race for NM treasurer - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. August 4, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Simonich, Milan (May 12, 2022). "State treasurer rips fellow Democrat in angry ad". Santa Fe New Mexican.
- ^ "Experienced candidates compete in the race to be state treasurer - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. October 12, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Gilmore, Nicholas (October 19, 2022). "State treasurer candidates share name but little else". Santa Fe New Mexican.
- ^ "Results for statewide N.M. elections". November 9, 2022.
- ^ "Treasurer faces battery charges - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. March 16, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ "Battery charges against Sandoval Treasurer dismissed - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. June 9, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2022.