James B. Lewis

James B. Lewis
24th Treasurer of New Mexico
In office
1985–1990
Preceded by Earl Hartley
Succeeded by David King
29th Treasurer of New Mexico
In office
2006–2014
Governor Susana Martinez
Preceded by Doug Brown
Succeeded by Tim Eichenberg
Personal details
Born November 30, 1947[1]
Roswell, New Mexico[1]
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Deceased
Children 4
Alma mater Bishop College, Dallas, Texas

James Beliven Lewis is an American politician from the state of New Mexico. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the State Treasurer of New Mexico from 1985–1990 and from 2006–2014.[2]

He is the only African American state treasurer of New Mexico.[1]

Early life, education, and early career

Lewis was born in Roswell, New Mexico. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Bishop College in Dallas, Texas and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from the National College of Business in Albuquerque, New Mexico.[3] Lewis served US Army for two years.[1] When he returned to New Mexico, he worked for the New Mexico State Personnel Office and the Public Service Career Office in minority recruitment. He then became director of the African American Studies Division under the Multi-cultural Enrichment Program.

He received his Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of New Mexico as well as a BS/AS business degree from the National College of Business in Albuquerque. He worked as a personnel counselor and administrator at the University of Albuquerque.[4] He later worked for the District Attorney's office as a criminal investigator. Lewis was elected Bernalillo County Treasurer in 1982, becoming the first African American to win a countywide election in New Mexico. He won re-election in 1984.

Governor Bruce King appointed him chief of staff in November 1990.[4] After Bruce King's defeat in the election of 1994, Lewis served four months as acting director of the Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division of the State Land Office.[5] In April 1995, he was appointed chief clerk of the State Corporation Commission. In 1996, Lewis was appointed City Administrator of Rio Rancho and later that year was appointed as head of the Office of Economic Development and Diversity at the U.S. Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., by president Bill Clinton. He later served under Energy Secretary Bill Richardson.

In 2001, Lewis ran for the Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, losing to Martin Chavez.[5] Following the election, he was appointed the City of Albuquerque's Chief Operating Officer. Lewis also held the position of Chief Administrative Officer for the City of Albuquerque, the highest ranking position for an African American in the history of Albuquerque's city governance. He retired from that post in 2005.

State Treasurer

In December 1985, Governor Toney Anaya appointed Lewis as State Treasurer after former State Treasurer Earl Hartley pleaded guilty to misusing funds of the Western State Treasurers Association.[6] He completed that term and ran for a full term in 1986, becoming the first African American elected to a statewide office in New Mexico.

In 2006, Lewis ran again for position of State Treasurer and won, serving as State Treasurer until term-limited in 2014.[7]

In October 2007, State Treasurer James B. Lewis was elected president of the Western State Treasurers Association. In 2014, Lewis was elected president of the National Association of Auditors, Comptrollers and State Treasurers.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hornsby, Jr., Alton. "Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia".
  2. ↑ "History of New Mexico State Treasurers". nmsto.gov. Retrieved October 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Candidate Bios: State Treasurer candidates James B. Lewis (D) and Jim D. Schoonover (R)". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved 23 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 http://socialarchive.iath.virginia.edu/ark:/99166/w6z90kvv. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. 1 2 "Lewis, James B. (James Belivan Lewis)". virginia.edu. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Fiasco Frontier: New Mexico has had decades of political scandals – colorful ones". sfreporter.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Hundreds Gather for NM State Treasurer's Retirement Celebration". kob.com. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Treasurer James B. Lewis Named NASACT Head". nast.org. Retrieved September 23, 2015.
Political offices
Preceded by
Douglas M. Brown		 Treasurer of New Mexico
1986–1990 		Succeeded by
David W. King
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