Martin T. Heinrich (born October 17, 1971) is an American politician and Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing New Mexico's 1st congressional district (map) since 2009. The district includes the central area of the state, in and around Albuquerque.
[edit] Early life and career
Born in Fallon, Nevada, Martin Heinrich graduated from the University of Missouri in 1995 with a Bachelor's degree in Science and Engineering, and later took graduate courses at the University of New Mexico as well.[1] He served as Executive Director of the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, a New Mexico non-profit organization dedicated to educating young people on natural science and the environment, and founded his own public affairs consulting firm.[1]
Heinrich served on the Albuquerque City Council from 2003 to 2007, which included one term as City Council President in 2006.[2] As a city councilman, he sought to reduce crime, raise the minimum wage, and create new jobs, also advocating the use of wind and solar power.[1] In February 2006, he was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to be the state's Natural Resources Trustee.[3]
[edit] U.S. House of Representatives
In the 2008 U.S. House of Representatives elections, Heinrich announced his candidacy as a Democrat for New Mexico's 1st congressional district. He originally planned to oppose five-term Republican incumbent Heather Wilson; however, Wilson decided not to run for re-election to the House, instead announcing her candidacy for the seat in the United States Senate being vacated by the retiring Pete Domenici.[4]
Heinrich won the Democratic primary on June 3, 2008, receiving 43.5% of the vote.[5]. During the general election, he faced popular Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White, whom Heinrich associated with President George W. Bush.[6] He also emphasized energy independence and ending the war in Iraq.[6] He went on to defeat White by a margin of 55%-44%. Upon being sworn in on January 6, 2009, Heinrich became the first Democrat to ever represent the district. Although the 1st had been trending Democratic for some time (it has supported a Democrat for president in the last five elections), it had been in Republican hands since its creation in 1969.
On January 14, 2009, he was elected to a six-month term as class president by the House Democratic freshmen.[7] He has co-sponsored the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act, which would prevent an automatic $4,700 salary raise for members of Congress.[6]
Heinrich was voted most attractive person on Capitol Hill by The Hill newspaper in July 2009. [8]
[edit] Committee assignments
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c "Martin's Story". Martin Heinrich for Congress. http://www.martinheinrich.com/about/story.
- ^ "Heinrich Martin (D)". The Washington Post. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008/elections/nm/house/1203/heinrich-martin/.
- ^ "Governor Bill Richardson Appoints Martin Heinrich as Natural Resources Trustee". Office of the Governor. 2006-02-28. http://www.governor.state.nm.us/press/2006/feb/022806_02.pdf.
- ^ Haussamen, Heath (2007-04-11). "The race to run against Wilson is heating up". Heath Haussamen on New Mexio Politics. http://haussamen.blogspot.com/2007/04/race-to-run-against-wilson-is-heating.html.
- ^ Las Cruces Sun-News. FINAL RESULTS: June 3 primary election June 20, 2008
- ^ a b c James, Randy. "Races to Watch '08: A New Mexico Republican Can't Shake Bush". TIME Magazine. http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1849130_1849126_1852091,00.html.
- ^ "Representative Martin Heinrich Elected President of the Democratic Freshman Class". Congressman Martin Heinrich. 2009-01-14. http://heinrich.house.gov/2009/01/representative-martin-heinrich-elected-president-of-the-democratic-freshman-class.shtml.
- ^ "50 Most Beautiful 2009". 2009-07-28. http://thehill.com/cover-stories/50-most-beautiful-2009---top-10-html-2009-07-28.html.
- ^ Reichbach, Matthew (January 6, 2009). "New Mexico’s new members of Congress get committee assignments". New Mexico Independent. http://newmexicoindependent.com/14146/new-members-of-congress-get-committee-assignments.
- ^ Reichbach, Matthew (January 15, 2009). "Rep. Heinrich’s assignments to focus on armed services". New Mexico Independent. http://newmexicoindependent.com/15272/heinrichs-assignments-to-focus-on-armed-services.
[edit] External links
