Michelle Lujan Grisham

Michelle Lujan Grisham
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 1st district
Assumed office
January 3, 2013
Preceded by Martin Heinrich
Personal details
Born (1959-10-24) October 24, 1959
Los Alamos, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Gregory Grisham (Deceased)
Children 2
Alma mater University of New Mexico,
Albuquerque (BS, JD)
Website House website

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

Early life and education

Michelle Lujan 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, was a homemaker. Michelle's sister Kimberly was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of two and died at 21.[1]

Lujan graduated from St. Michael's High School. She received a B.S. degree from the University of New Mexico (UNM) in 1981, where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority. She earned a law degree from the UNM School of Law in 1987.[2][3]

Public sector career

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 as the secretary of the Department of Health.[3]

Lujan Grisham was elected to the Bernalillo County Commission, serving from 2010 through 2012.

Congressional elections

2008

She resigned as Secretary of Health 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

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]

2014

Lujan Grisham defeated Republican Mike Frese in the 2014 elections, 59%-41%.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

Tenure

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

Committee assignments

Personal life

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.[12] Her cousin, Ben Ray Luján, represents New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the House of Representatives,[13] while his father, Ben Luján 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.[14] Lujan Grisham filed a wrongful death suit against her husband's physician,[15] which was dismissed.[14]

References

  1. ↑ Seung Min Kim (January 28, 2013). "Sister's death drives Michelle Lujan Grisham". Politico.Com. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  2. ↑ Harder, Amy. "New Mexico, 1st House District". NationalJournal.com. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  3. 1 2 "ABQJOURNAL NEWS/STATE: Former Health Secretary Grisham Announces for Congress". Abqjournal.com. October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  4. ↑ "NM District 1- D Primary Race – Jun 03, 2008". Our Campaigns. Retrieved July 21, 2013.
  5. ↑ Las Cruces Sun-News. FINAL RESULTS: June 3 primary election June 20, 2008
  6. ↑ Salazar, Martin (June 29, 2008). "ABQJOURNAL NEWS/METRO: Top UNM official red-faced over Lujan Grisham comments". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  7. ↑ "Third Democrat Vies to Succeed Heinrich in N.M. District : Roll Call Politics". Rollcall.com. August 17, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  8. ↑ "Congressional opponents face off in first debate". KOB. September 9, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  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. ↑ http://www.koat.com/politics/koat-prediction-grisham-reelected-as-congresswoman/29530392
  12. ↑ "Michelle Lujan Grisham running for First District seat". New Mexico Independent. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  13. ↑ http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/11/new-mexico-1st-house-district-michelle-lujan-grisham-d/429390/
  14. 1 2 Heild, Colleen (December 23, 2007). "ABQjournal Metro: Doctor Says Dropped Suit Hurt Reputation". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved September 14, 2012.
  15. ↑ New Mexico Business Weekly. "Former health secretary files wrongful death suit – New Mexico Business Weekly". Bizjournals.com. Retrieved September 14, 2012.

External links

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
Preceded by
Linda Sánchez		 Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Designate
Taking office 2017
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Alan Lowenthal		 United States Representatives by seniority
335th 		Succeeded by
Sean Patrick Maloney
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