Stephanie Garcia Richard


Stephanie M. Garcia Richard from Los Alamos, New Mexico is an American politician and currently serves as the Commissioner of Public Lands of New Mexico, an executive office created under the New Mexico State Constitution. She is a Democrat and the first woman ever elected to this statewide office.
Prior to this office, Garcia Richard served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives representing District 43 from January 2013 through December 2018. She chaired the House Education Committee and served on the Appropriates and Finance Committee and Labor and Economic Development committees. In 2018 she decided not to run for re-election for State House and ran for and was elected as New Mexico's Commissioner of Public Lands on November 6, 2018, after a hard-fought race against Republican Pat Lyons.

Education

Garcia Richard earned her BA in political science from Barnard College of Columbia University and her teaching certificate from University of California, Los Angeles.

Political career

Garcia Richard has served in New Mexican politics since her first election 2012.

New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands

Garcia Richard was elected as New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands during the 2018 New Mexico elections, and began serving in this position on January 1, 2019. She is the first woman and first Latina to serve in this position for the State of New Mexico.

New Mexico House of Representatives

Garcia Richard was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2012 for District 43. She represented this district for three terms, or six years from 2013 through 2018. Stephanie served on the Education and Labor & Economic Development committees. During the 2017 and 2018 Legislative Session, Stephanie served as chair for the House Education Committee. During her tenure in the New Mexico House of Representatives, Stephanie Garcia Richard sponsored 105 bills and acted as co-sponsor for 115 bills.

Personal life

Stephanie Garcia Richard was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico, and raised in Silver City. Stephanie is married to Eric Vasquez and has two adult children.

Election history

Election history of Stephanie Garcia Richard from 2010.

2018

General election
Incumbent Land Commissioner Aubrey Dunn Jr. announced that he would not be seeking re-election due to his intention to run for United States Senator. This set forth an open election between State Representative Stephanie Garcia Richard, former Land Commissioner Patrick H. Lyons, and Michael Lucero.
Democratic primary election

2016

2014

2012

Long-time incumbent Jeannette Wallace died on April 8, 2011. Jim Hall was appointed by Governor Susana Martinez to fill the open position.

2010

General election
Democratic primary election