Raúl Torrez
Raúl Torrez | |
|---|---|
| Attorney General-elect of New Mexico | |
| Assuming office January 1, 2023 | |
| Governor | Michelle Lujan Grisham |
| Succeeding | Hector Balderas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1975 or 1976 (age 48–49) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nasha |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Harvard University (AB) London School of Economics (MS) Stanford University (JD) |
Raúl Torrez (born 1975/1976)[1] is an American attorney and politician from New Mexico. A member of the Democratic Party, Torrez is the attorney general-elect of New Mexico.
Early life and education
Torrez's father, Presiliano Torrez, was a federal prosecutor and his mother taught Spanish at Sandia Preparatory School. He graduated from Sandia Prep, and then attended Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude[2] with a Bachelor of Arts in government. He earned a Master of Science in international political economy from the London School of Economics,[3] and then worked for the Cesar Chavez Foundation in Los Angeles before attending Stanford Law School, earning his Juris Doctor.[2][3]
Career
After graduating from law school in 2005, Torrez became an assistant district attorney in Valencia County, New Mexico. The next year, he took a job in the office of the New Mexico attorney general. In 2008, Torrez was chief counsel to Ben Luján, the speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives, and then he served as a White House Fellow in the class of 2009–2010 during the presidency of Barack Obama.[2][4] He returned to Albuquerque to work in the United States attorney's office and operated a solo law firm.[2]
Attorney general of New Mexico
Torrez won the Democratic Party nomination for district attorney of Bernalillo County, New Mexico, in 2016. He won the general election without opposition from a Republican.[5][6]
With Hector Balderas unable to run for reelection as New Mexico Attorney General due to term limits, Torrez announced his candidacy to succeed him in the 2022 election in May 2021.[7] Torrez won the Democratic nomination, defeating New Mexico State Auditor Brian Colón,[8] and faced Republican Jeremy Gay.[9] Torrez defeated Gay in the general election.[10]
Personal life
Torrez's wife, Nasha, is also an attorney and is a dean at the University of New Mexico.[2] They have two children.[3]
References
- ^ Haywood, Phaedra (October 12, 2022). "Approach to Crime Divides Attorney General Candidates". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Walz, Kent (September 8, 2018). "'Remember who you're fighting for' - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c "Torrez: Willingness to ruffle feathers is an asset, not a liability - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/president-obama-appoints-2009-2010-class-white-house-fellows-6-25-09
- ^ "Only one candidate for DA in Bernalillo County". The NM Political Report. September 16, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Torrez wins AG's office, continuing Democratic control - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "District Attorney Torrez enters AG race - Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. May 17, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Raúl Torrez wins Democratic primary for attorney general". AP News. June 8, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Raúl Torrez on what he would do as New Mexico Attorney General". Lcsun-news.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
- ^ "Raul Torrez wins New Mexico's Attorney General race". Krqe.com. Retrieved November 15, 2022.