Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo

Octavio Ambrosio Larrazolo
United States Senator from New Mexico
In office December 7, 1928 – March 4, 1929
Preceded by	Bronson M. Cutting
Succeeded by	Bronson M. Cutting
4th Governor of New Mexico
In office January 1, 1919 – January 1, 1921
Preceded by	Washington Ellsworth Lindsey
Succeeded by	Merritt C. Mechem
Personal details
Born	(1859-12-07)December 7, 1859 Valle de Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico
Died	April 7, 1930(1930-04-07) (aged 70) Albuquerque, New Mexico
Political party	Republican
Other political affiliations	Democratic (until 1911)
Residence	Las Vegas
Profession	Attorney
Religion	Roman Catholicism

Octavio Ambrosio Larrazolo (December 7, 1859 – April 7, 1930) was a Republican politician who served as the fourth Governor of New Mexico and a United States Senator. He was the first United States Senator of Mexican-American heritage.

Early life

Larrazolo was born in Valle de Allende in Chihuahua, Mexico, on December 7, 1859. A devoutly religious man, he moved to Tucson, Arizona Territory, in 1870 to study under the bishop of Arizona. He studied theology at the St. Michael's College at Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory, in 1875 and 1876. Larrazolo returned to Tucson to teach in public schools briefly, and then moved to El Paso County, Texas to teach there.

Politics

He was appointed clerk of the district court at El Paso, and then clerk of the United States District and Circuit Courts for the Western District of Texas at El Paso. Larrazolo was admitted to the bar in 1888. He was elected district attorney for the Western District of Texas in 1890, and reelected in 1892. He held the position until 1894.

Larrazolo moved to Las Vegas, New Mexico Territory, in 1895 and resumed the practice of law. He ran unsuccessfully as the Democratic candidate for Delegate to United States Congress from the New Mexico Territory in 1890, 1900, and 1908.

In 1911, Larrazolo changed his political affiliations to Republican after the State Convention of the Democratic Party denied his request that half of all statewide nominees be Hispanic to represent the 60 percent of the population of New Mexico that was Hispanic. He was elected Governor of the State of New Mexico in 1918, becoming just the second Hispanic to serve in this role since the territory became a state in 1912. The campaign in 1918, though, was an intense one that exposed some fractions within the Hispanic community. His Democratic opponent, Félix García, claimed that Larrazolo's birth in Chihuahua precluded him from understanding the concerns of “native New Mexicans.” Larrazolo’s narrow victory, however, seemed to quiet most of the debate about whether he could authentically advocate on behalf of the Spanish-speaking population.

During Larrazolo's governorship, tax reform measures were sanctioned and a state board of health was established. Improvements were also initiated to assist New Mexico's Latino population.

After serving two years as Governor, Larrazolo was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1927 and 1928. After Senator Andrieus A. Jones died in 1928, Larrazolo ran for the remaining six months of the term. He won, and became the first Hispanic elected to the United States Senate. Larrazolo did not seek reelection due to illness.

Later years

Larrazolo died on April 7, 1930, and is interred in Santa Barbara Cemetery in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

External links

• Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

Political offices
Preceded by Washington E. Lindsey	Governor of New Mexico 1919–1921	Succeeded by Merritt C. Mechem
United States Senate
Preceded by Bronson M. Cutting	United States Senator from New Mexico (District 1) 1929–1930	Succeeded by Bronson M. Cutting