Teresa Leger Fernandez
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Teresa Leger Fernandez | |
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File:Teresa Leger Fernandez 117th Congress portrait 2.jpg | |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 3rd district |
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Assumed office January 3, 2021 |
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Preceded by | Ben Ray Luján |
Personal details | |
Born | Teresa Leger July 1, 1959 Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | Luis Fernandez (divorced) |
Children | 3 |
Education | Yale University (BA) Stanford University (JD) |
Website | House website |
Teresa Isabel Leger Fernandez (/tɛˈrɛsɑː ˈlɛdʒər fɛrnɑːndɛs/ teh-RESS-ah-_-ledge-ƏR-_; born July 1, 1959)[1][2] is an American attorney and politician representing New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.[3][4]
Contents
Early life and education
Leger Fernandez was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico.[5] Her mother was a bilingual educator and her father, Ray Leger, served as a member of the New Mexico Senate.[6] After graduating from West Las Vegas High School, Leger Fernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.[7]
Career
After graduating from law school, Leger Fernandez returned to New Mexico to work as an attorney, specializing in community-building and tribal advocacy. She was a White House Fellow during the Clinton Administration and later served on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation during the Obama Administration.[8][9] She also worked as a liaison between the White House Office and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For 30 years, Leger Fernandez has operated Leger Law and Strategy, LLC in Santa Fe. The firm focuses on community development, tribal advocacy, civil rights, and social justice.[10][11] In 2017, she led a successful effort to implement ranked-choice voting in Santa Fe's municipal elections.[12]
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2020
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After incumbent Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that he would not seek reelection in 2020 and instead run for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Tom Udall, Leger Fernandez announced her candidacy to succeed Luján. In the Democratic primary, Leger Fernandez faced six opponents, including New Mexico State Representative Joseph L. Sanchez and Valerie Plame, an author and former CIA officer.[13] During the primary, Leger Fernandez was criticized for attack ads against Plame, including one that featured swastikas superimposed over Plame's eyes, a reference to past comments of Plame's that were perceived as anti-Semitic.[14] In response, Leger Fernandez denied any involvement with the ads.[15] Leger Fernandez was also criticized for so-called "dark money" groups that do not disclose their donors.[16] She said that her campaign had no connection to the ads or the groups that sponsored them and the groups, pledging her support for campaign finance reform.[17] During the campaign, Leger Fernandez was endorsed by Congresswoman Deb Haaland, EMILY's List, and The Santa Fe New Mexican.[18][19]
A political progressive, Leger Fernandez was also endorsed by the Working Families Party, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[20] She placed first in the primary with over 42% of the vote.[21]
In the November general election, Leger Fernandez defeated Republican nominee Alexis Johnson. She assumed office on January 3, 2021.[22][23]
Tenure
Committee assignment
Caucus membership
Political positions
Leger Fernandez has advocated a "New Mexico Green New Deal", Medicare for All, a transition from fracking to green energy, and a ban on the sale of military-style semi-automatic rifles.[26] She has also supported comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.[27]
Personal life
Leger Fernandez and her ex-husband, Luis Fernandez, have three sons.[28]
See also
- List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
References
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External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Teresa Leger Fernandez. |
- Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez official U.S. House website
- Campaign website
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Profile at Project Vote Smart
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
- Appearances on C-SPAN
United States House of Representatives | ||
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Preceded by | Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 3rd congressional district 2021–present |
Incumbent |
United States order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 400th |
Succeeded by Nancy Mace |
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- 1959 births
- Living people
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- Female members of the United States House of Representatives
- Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from New Mexico
- New Mexico Democrats
- New Mexico lawyers
- People from Las Vegas, New Mexico
- San Miguel County, New Mexico
- Stanford Law School alumni
- Yale University alumni
- Women in New Mexico politics
- 21st-century American women