Jerry Apodaca

Jerry Apodaca
24th Governor of New Mexico
In office January 1, 1975 – January 1, 1979
Preceded by	Bruce King
Succeeded by	Bruce King
Personal details
Born	(1934-10-03) October 3, 1934 Las Cruces, New Mexico
Political party	Democratic
Profession	Insurance Businessman
Religion	Roman Catholicism[citation needed]

Jerry Apodaca Education Building, the headquarters of the New Mexico Department of Education

Raymond S. "Jerry" Apodaca (born October 3, 1934) was the 24th Governor of New Mexico.

Apodaca graduated from the University of New Mexico, and went into the insurance business. In 1965, he was elected to the New Mexico Senate, serving four terms from 1966 to 1974. Apodaca was elected governor of New Mexico as a Democrat in 1974, becoming the first Hispanic governor in the U.S. since 1918, along with Arizona Governor Raúl Héctor Castro, also elected that year.

Apodaca reorganized the New Mexico state government, creating a cabinet system with twelve departments. He also consolidated agencies and abolished several boards and commissions. He also increased numerous taxes during his tenure. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter appointed Apodaca as Chair of the President's Council on Physical Fitness. After his term as governor, Apodaca became involved in publishing Hispanic-audience periodicals. He was a member of the University of New Mexico Board of Regents from 1985 to 1991.

Legacy

In 2004, the headquarters building of the New Mexico Department of Education was renamed for Apodaca.

One of the centers of the Ben Luján Leadership and Public Policy Institute is now called the Jerry Apodaca Public Policy Center.

External links

• National Governors Association profile
• New Mexico General Services Department profile

Political offices
Preceded by Bruce King	Governor of New Mexico 1975-1979	Succeeded by Bruce King