Martin Chávez
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| Martin Joseph Chávez | |
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| In office 2001–2009 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Baca |
| Succeeded by | Richard J. Berry |
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| In office 1993–1997 |
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| Preceded by | Louis E. Saavedra |
| Succeeded by | Jim Baca |
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| Born | March 2, 1952 Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Martinique Chávez Zeke Chávez |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico Georgetown University |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
Martin Joseph Chávez (born March 2, 1952 in Albuquerque, New Mexico) is a two-time former Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
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[edit] Background and early political career
Born in Albuquerque and of Hispanic heritage, Chávez attended both parochial (St. Charles Borromeo and Holy Ghost) and public (Van Buren Junior High and Manzano High) schools. After graduating from Manzano High School, Chávez earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. He was the founding director of the Workers' Compensation Administration in 1986.
From 1989 to 1993 he served in the New Mexico State Senate.
[edit] Mayor of Albuquerque and 1998 Governor's race
In 1993 Chávez ran for mayor of Albuquerque and faced former New Mexico Governor Dave Cargo in a run-off election. Chávez won by fewer than 600 votes, the closest mayoral election in city history.
In 1997, Chávez decided not to run for re-election as mayor and instead ran for governor of New Mexico in 1998. He won the Democratic primary and faced incumbent Republican Governor Gary E. Johnson in the general election, which Chávez lost 45 percent to 55 percent.
In 2001, Chávez again ran for mayor and finished first in a seven-candidate race.
In 2005, he was the first mayor to be re-elected two consecutive terms since the creation of the strong mayoral form of government in 1974. In his third term, Albuquerque was named to Forbes magazine's list as the number-one place to do business[1] while also receiving the Greenest City in the Nation award by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.[2] He is Vice President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award.
[edit] U.S. Senate campaign
On October 8, 2007, Chávez announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat that was being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Pete Domenici.
Fearing that Chávez' electoral weakness would lead to a Republican victory, Democratic leaders, including Senator Charles Schumer, Chairman of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, recruited Tom Udall into the race.[3]
Chávez initially refused to exit the race, defiantly referring to Udall as Washington's "fair-haired boy"[4] and saying about Schumer, "the New York Senator doesn't have a vote in this election."[5] However, Chavez finally withdrew from the race on December 7 saying, "While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election."[6]
[edit] 2009 mayoral race
In 2009, Chávez succeeded in overturning a two consecutive mayoral term limit, which he initially had gotten passed into law, and announced he would seek a third consecutive, and fourth overall, term as mayor. He ran against Republican State Representative Richard Berry and Democratic State Senator Richard Romero in a hotly contested race. He was defeated by Richard J. Berry 43% to his 35% and Romero's 21%.
[edit] References
- ^ Best Places For Business - Forbes.com
- ^ U.S. MayorVision: 75th Annual Meeting (June 2007)
- ^ Reid Wilson (June 16, 2008). "Schumer Wins Again". Real Clear Politics. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2008/06/schumer_wins_again.html. Retrieved 2009-03-09.
- ^ RALPH BLUMENTHAL (November 25, 2007). "Political Upheaval Follows a Rare Decision to Retire". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/us/25newmex.html?_r=1. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- ^ Joe Monahans (November 9, 2007). "Chavez Meets With NY Senator Pushing On Him, Plus: More Senate Polling, And: Cervantes In House Race Monday". http://www.joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_joemonahansnewmexico_archive.html. Retrieved 2009-03-23.
- ^ "Chávez drops out of U. S. Senate race". KRQE-TV. December 7, 2007. http://www.krqe.com/Global/story.asp?S=7468037. Retrieved 2007-12-18.
