Michelle Lujan Grisham

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Michelle Lujan Grisham
Michelle Lujan Grisham official photo.jpg
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded by Martin Heinrich
Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health
In office
2004–2007
Governor Bill Richardson
Personal details
Born (1959-10-24) October 24, 1959 (age 53)
Los Alamos, New Mexico
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Gregory Grisham (deceased)
Children Two
Residence Albuquerque, New Mexico
Alma mater University of New Mexico (B.A.)
University of New Mexico School of Law (J.D.)
Occupation Attorney
Website Representative Michelle Lujan Grisham

Michelle Lujan Grisham (born October 24, 1959) is an American lawyer and politician who is currently the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district, serving since 2013. She has previously served in the New Mexico state cabinet, and as Bernalillo County Commissioner.

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Early life and education [edit]

Lujan Grisham was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico, and grew up in Santa Fe. Her father, Buddy Lujan, practiced dentistry into his 80s until he died in March 2011. Her mother, Sonja, stayed at home. Michelle's sister Kimberly was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was two years old. She quickly exhausted her lifetime caps on her health insurance. She died when she was 21 and the parents spent decades after Kimberly’s death paying off the debt, making health care reform an important issue for Michelle.[1]

She graduated from St. Michael's High School. She received a bachelor of university studies degree from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1981. She earned a law degree from the UNM School of Law in 1987.[2][3]

Public sector career [edit]

Lujan Grisham served as director of New Mexico's Agency on Aging under Governors Bruce King, Gary Johnson, and Bill Richardson, who elevated the position to the state cabinet. In 2004, Richardson named Lujan Grisham the secretary of the Department of Health.[3]

After the 2008 election, Lujan Grisham became a Bernalillo County Commissioner.

Congressional elections [edit]

2008 [edit]

She resigned in order to run for the United States House of Representatives in the 2008 elections, losing in the Democratic primary to Martin Heinrich. He won the Democratic primary on June 3, 2008 with 44% of the vote. New Mexico Secretary of State Rebecca Vigil-Giron ranked second with 25% and Michelle Lujan-Grisham ranked third with 24% of the vote.[4][5][6]

2012 [edit]

Lujan-Grisham sought the Democratic nomination for the House in 2012, with Martin Heinrich leaving to run for the United States Senate. She won the nomination, defeating Marty Chavez and Eric Griego.[7] She faced Janice Arnold-Jones, a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, in the November general election.[8] Lujan Grisham defeated Arnold-Jones,[9] 59%-41%.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives [edit]

Tenure [edit]

Congresswoman Lujan Grisham was sworn into a two-year term on January 3, 2013.

Committee assignments [edit]

Personal life [edit]

Lujan Grisham's uncle is Manuel Lujan, Jr., who served in the House of Representatives from New Mexico as a Republican, and served as Secretary of Interior during the presidency of George H. W. Bush. Her grandfather, Eugene Lujan, was Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court.[11] Her cousin, Ben R. Luján, represents New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the House of Representatives, while Ben Lujan was Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives.

Lujan Grisham's husband, Gregory, died of a brain aneurysm in 2004. The couple had two daughters.[12] Lujan Grisham filed a wrongful death suit against her husband's physician,[13] which was dismissed.[12]

References [edit]

  1. ^ http://www.politico.com/story/2013/01/michelle-lujan-grisham-profile-86137.html
  2. ^ http://nationaljournal.com/congress-legacy/new-mexico-1st-house-district-20121105
  3. ^ a b "ABQJOURNAL NEWS/STATE: Former Health Secretary Grisham Announces for Congress". Abqjournal.com. 2007-10-11. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 
  4. ^ http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=365999
  5. ^ Las Cruces Sun-News. FINAL RESULTS: June 3 primary election June 20, 2008
  6. ^ Salazar, Martin (2008-06-29). "ABQJOURNAL NEWS/METRO: Top UNM official red-faced over Lujan Grisham comments". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 
  7. ^ "Third Democrat Vies to Succeed Heinrich in N.M. District : Roll Call Politics". Rollcall.com. 2011-08-17. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 
  8. ^ "Congressional opponents face off in first debate". KOB. September 9, 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 
  9. ^ "New Mexico Election Results 2012: Heinrich wins Senate race; Grisham joins her cousin Lujan in Congress; Latino population lifts Obama to win". Washington Post. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2012. 
  10. ^ Reichbach, Matthew (November 7, 2012). "Lujan Grisham blowout could mean no more swing Congressional districts". New Mexico Telegram. Retrieved November 10, 2012. 
  11. ^ "Michelle Lujan Grisham running for First District seat". New Mexico Independent. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 
  12. ^ a b Heild, Colleen (2007-12-23). "ABQjournal Metro: Doctor Says Dropped Suit Hurt Reputation". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 
  13. ^ New Mexico Business Weekly. "Former health secretary files wrongful death suit - New Mexico Business Weekly". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2012-09-14. 

External links [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Michelle Lujan Grisham
United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Martin Heinrich		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 1st congressional district
2013-present		 Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by
Alan Lowenthal
D-California		 United States Representatives by seniority
401st		 Succeeded by
Sean Patrick Maloney
D-New York
Senators
Representatives
(ordered by district)
Other states'
delegations
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