Idalia Lechuga-Tena
Idalia Lechuga-Tena | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 21st district | |
| In office November 18, 2015 – January 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mimi Stewart |
| Succeeded by | Debra M. Sariñana |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Marco Gonzales |
| Education | University of New Mexico (BA) |
Idalia Lechuga-Tena is a Mexican-born American politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 21st district from November 18, 2015 to January 2017.
Early life and education
[edit]Lechuga-Tena was born in Mexico and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics and political science from the University of New Mexico.[1]
Career
[edit]Lechuga-Tena worked on the unsuccessful mayoral campaign of Pete Dinelli and was a legislative analyst for the New Mexico House of Representatives Majority Office. She was also an assistant to Mayor Martin Chávez and was the communications director for the New Mexico Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Program.[2]
Lechuga-Tena was appointed to the New Mexico House of Representatives in November 2015 and served for one term.[3][4][5] In 2016, she was defeated for re-election by Debra M. Sariñana. In 2020, she was a candidate for the 20th district of the New Mexico Senate, placing third in the Democratic primary.[6]
After Melanie Stansbury was elected to the United States House of Representatives in June 2021, Lechuga-Tena declared her candidacy to succeed her in the New Mexico House of Representatives.[7]
Lechuga-Tena is running for Albuquerque City Council in 2023, facing off against retired law enforcement offerice Daniel Champine for the District 8 seat to replace retiring Councilor Trudy Jones.
Personal life
[edit]Lechuga-Tena is married to Marco Gonzales, an attorney. In 2018, Gonzales acted as Lechuga-Tena's lawyer after she was barred from running for the New Mexico House of Representatives due to a residency violation.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ Candidate, The. "Q&A: Senate District 20 Idalia Lechuga-Tena". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
- ^ Staff, ABQJournal News. "House District 21 (D) - Idalia Lechuga-Tena". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
- ^ "The Line: Controversial Political Appointment". New Mexico In Focus. 2015-11-20. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
- ^ Writer, Deborah Baker | Journal Staff. "Fight for House District 21 seat has a familiar look". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
- ^ "Legislator Archive - New Mexico Legislature". www.nmlegis.gov. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
- ^ "Idalia Lechuga-Tena". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-04-05.
- ^ Dunlap, Susan (2021-06-22). "Former legislator seeks appointment to vacant state House seat". The NM Political Report. Retrieved 2021-06-22.
- ^ Writer, Dan McKay | Journal Staff. "Residence discrepancy ends House election bid". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
- Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in New Mexico
- Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
- American politicians of Mexican descent
- Living people
- Politicians from Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico alumni
- Women state legislators in New Mexico
- Democratic Party members of the New Mexico House of Representatives
- 21st-century American women politicians
- 21st-century members of the New Mexico Legislature