Howie Morales
| Howie Morales | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Mexico Senate from the 28th district | |
|
Assumed office January 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Ben Altamirano |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
1973 (age 42–43) Silver City, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Teresa Arizaga |
| Alma mater |
Western New Mexico University New Mexico State University, Las Cruces |
Henry "Howie" C. Morales is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 28th District since 2008. The 28th District serves Catron, Grant, and Socorro counties.
Education
Morales attended Silver High in Silver City, New Mexico and graduated in 1991. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and in 1998 a Master of Art degree in Bilingual Special Education from Western New Mexico University. Morales earned a Doctorate of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a dual emphasis in computer learning technologies and management and leadership from New Mexico State University in 2007.
Political career
Morales began his professional career in 1995 as a special education teacher for the Silver Consolidated School District. From 2001 to 2005, he was the transition coordinator and head baseball coach for the Cobre Consolidated School District. As an educator he founded the Silver High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter in addition to serving as student council sponsor for Silver and Cobre High Schools. He was also named the New Mexico Activities Director of student councils and New Mexico LULAC educator of the year in 2005.
Morales is currently the longest serving volunteer member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Grant County. He was co-director of the “Best of the West” 3-on-3 basketball tournament, director of the Grant County Men’s Basketball League, Silver City Moose Lodge Men’s Fall Hardball League and Grant County Senior Citizen Softball Classic. He is a member of the St. Francis Newman Center, LULAC organization, Grant County Community Health Council, Gila Regional Foundation Board, Silver City Moose Lodge, Casa Mia Board of Directors, and chairman of the Bataan Memorial Park Steering Committee and Silver City Kiwanis Club.[1]
Morales was elected to County Clerk in Grant County in 2005. As County Clerk, he oversaw the transition from 1242 outdated voting machines to newer Edge Touch Screen Machines. He also created a Bureau of Election Department within the Clerk's office.
On December 27, 2007, New Mexico State Senator Ben D. Altamirano died of a heart attack. On January 9, 2008, Governor Bill Richardson appointed Morales to the vacant position that Altamirano held since 1971. According to Socorro County Commission Chairman Jay Santillanes, "Morales was personally recommended by the Altamirano family to fill Ben Altamirano's term. Altamirano's wife, Nina, had considered putting her name in for the position, but decided against it."[2]
Morales ran for the office that he was appointed to in the 2008 general elections and defeated Republican Joseph Gros, 9,561 to 4,019, to retain his seat.[3]
In October 2013, Morales official announced his running for office for the governor of New Mexico. His Campaign Website can be found at www.morales4nm.com
References
- ↑ Western New Mexico 2007 Fall Commencement Convocation
- ↑ "Morales a nominee to finish Altamirano's term," El Defensor Chieftain, retrieved online on December 21, 2008
- ↑ "Democrats run the table in Grant County," Silver City Daily Press, Online Edition, retrieved on December 21, 2008 Silver City Daily Press, "Democrats run the table in Grant County".
External links
- Senator Howie Morales at the NM Senate website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Howie C. Morales (NM) profile
- Follow the Money - Howie Morales
- 2008 campaign contributions