Democratic Party of New Mexico

Democratic Party of New Mexico
Chairperson Debra Haaland
Senate leader Michael Sanchez
House leader Brian Egolf
Headquarters 3200 Monte Vista NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ideology Liberalism
Progressivism
Social liberalism
National affiliation Democratic Party
Colors Blue
Seats in the Upper House
24 / 42
Seats in the Lower House
33 / 70
Website
www.nmdemocrats.org
New Mexico
This article is part of a series on the
politics and government of
New Mexico

The Democratic Party of New Mexico is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of New Mexico, headquartered in Albuquerque. The party is led by Chair Debra Haaland.[1] New Mexico's Democratic Party has had many historical developments throughout the years to put the state where they are today due to certain groups formed and individual people that have made contributions to the party. New Mexico's Democratic Party leans on the liberal side when it comes to their ideology and how they lean on certain stances throughout their state. New Mexico's Democratic Party tries to hold a certain structure when it comes to the policy committees the party focuses on.

Gold Avenue Downtown Albuquerque

Historical development

The Democratic Donkey

In January 1912 New Mexico joined the Union. Over the years it has participated in 25 presidential election through 2008. Obama won over John McCain in 2008 which gave a shocking new result for New Mexico. New Mexico has always been known to be a swing state but after this election it seems as if the state is starting to begin to lean more Democratic then Republican. This could be a result due to the Hispanic population growing in the recent years. [2]

In the early 1900s Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo involved himself in making many contributions to the New Mexico Democratic Party. The contributions he made had many long-lasting effects on the constitution of New Mexico. He worked very hard to make sure that the rights of all Spanish-speaking New Mexicans were upheld through the 1910 document. Octaviano even had effects on the Bill of Rights, he made sure that when writing it with others in the Democratic Party to make sure it protected and guaranteed the political, civil, and religious rights of all Spanish and Mexican descent. This change made their constitution quite different then other American States. Larrazolo even became governor of New Mexico when he was elected in 1918. During his period of time being governor he was well known for making his decisions and laws based on principle rather than on partisan politics.

Although he had many contributions for New Mexico he was criticized by many people for some of the things he did. Labor activists did not like his declaration of martial law during the time of a coal minders strike and corporations were not happy for his supporting s strong state income tax law. He even vetoed a Republican bill passed by the state legislature which condemned the League of Nations. After this, many of his earlier supporters were angry by this decision. After all his negative backlash from his party members and outsiders Octaviano decided during the Constitutional Convention to leave the Democratic Party. This decision was mostly due to opposing the democratic delegates decision to black ratification of the constitution. He later joined the Republican Party and remained a Republican for the rest of his life.[3]

Jack M. Campbell two terms as governor of New Mexico from 1963–1966. In 1962 after having a seat on the House of Representatives for New Mexico Campbell ran for governor. During this election he defeated four-term governor and Republican Edwin L. Mechem. Campbell won his second term in 1964 by an amazing amount of votes of 64,000. Campbell did many things for New Mexico, he focused much of his time on education, economic development, and state administration. Campbell was very patriotic when it came to his state and took much time and effort to improve as much as he could for all New Mexicans. He made connections and created opportunities for New Mexico with industry, the federal government, and even foreign countries. During a speech that Campbell made he talked about what he firmly believe, here quotes Governor Campbell "I firmly believe that sincere effort and solid results toward better government are the best routes to political success. I shall be content to know I tried my best." -Jack M. Campbell [4]

Another important historical development came in the 1970s. During this time women wanted to have their own say and voice in the decisions being made in the Democratic Party. In 1977 women formed the Democratic Women of New Mexico. With their progress and determination the women of this group became part of the National Federation of Democratic Women in 1977. Today this group continues to work hard for the women of New Mexico and Kristine "Kooch" Jocobus.

Two additional caucuses are authorized by the Democratic Party of New Mexico. They are the Native American Democratic Caucus, chaired by Tracy Goodluck, and the Democratic Party of New Mexico Labor Caucus chaired by Ray Baca.

In addition to the state organization Democratic Party of New Mexico is made up locally of thirty-three county Democratic Party organizations. The governing body of the Democratic Party of New Mexico is the State Central Committee of DPNM, which meets to conduct the regular business of the organization and elect its officers.

Ideological and issue stances

The New Mexico Democratic Party's platform was adopted on March 13, 2010 focuses on some important issues such as the economy, environment and energy, government and civil liberties, health, education, social security, etc.[5]

The economic section of this platform addresses a balanced budget which makes sure that all citizens in New Mexico pay a progressive tax, have fair trade, and contribute in fair labor practices.

New Mexico's Democratic Party, like the United States Democratic Party, finds an importance in protecting the environment. The party emphasizes the importance of valuing all natural resources such as land and water.

The government and civil liberties section stresses the importance of protecting the freedoms and their liberties of citizens.

The party's health care stance is that every citizen should have the right to universal health care. When it comes to education it believes that all citizens should have the best education available to them. The party wants to protect citizens from losing their social security.

The military section of the party's platform emphasizes protecting and honoring all men and women that have served or are serving. It also respects the freedoms of other countries when it comes to foreign policy and their international relations.

The party aims to protect tribal sovereignty and make sure all Native Americans are recognized in the state.

The cultural affairs and arts section ensures that all art of the state is protected and supported by the community.[6]

Organizational structure

The state organization Democratic Party of New Mexico is made up locally of thirty-three county Democratic Party organizations. The governing body of the Democratic Party of New Mexico is the State Central Committee of DPNM, which meets to conduct the regular business of the organization and elect its officers.

The New Mexico Federation of Democratic Women is an officially affiliated organization of the Democratic Party of New Mexico. Organized as the Democratic Women of New Mexico in 1977, this group continues to work hard for the women of New Mexico. The chair of the organization is Kristine "Kooch" Jocobus.

Two additional caucuses are authorized by the Democratic Party of New Mexico. They are the Native American Democratic Caucus, chaired by Tracy Goodluck, and the Democratic Party of New Mexico Labor Caucus chaired by Ray Baca.

In addition to The Democratic Party of New Mexico has committees on various important issues such as an affirmative action committee, budget committee, platforms and resolution committee, rules committee, and the judicial council. Members of the party work on these issues through committees to further the goals of the states and for protecting citizens at all times.

When it comes to the Affirmative Committee's goals and missions the party wants to make sure that all Democrats in the state are represented in a fair manner.[7]

New Mexico's Flag

Current Democratic officeholders

Four out of seven political state positions held by Democrats as of 2011 which gives them the majority over the Republicans.

On the state level the Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer and Commissioner of Public Lands are all Democratic politicians.

On the federal level, the state has elected two Democrats to each of the United States Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

State
Federal

Current elected officials

2010 House elections of New Mexico

Legislative leaders

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Debra Haaland Elected Chairwoman of State Democratic Party".
  2. ↑ New Mexico. Santa Fe: 270towin.com, 2004-2011.
  3. ↑ Cline, Dorothy I. New Mexico's 1910 Constitution: A 19th Century Product. Santa Fe: The Lightning Tree, 1985.
  4. ↑ "Governor's Inauguration Plans Made At Meet Here," The New Mexican, November 27, 1962.
  5. ↑ DPNM Platform
  6. ↑ Democratic Party of New Mexico(DPNM.Web. 06 Sept. 2011.
  7. ↑ Democratic Party of New Mexico(DPNM.Web. 06 Sept. 2011.

External links

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