- Martin Chávez
-
Martin Joseph Chávez 
8th Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico In office
2001–2009Preceded by Jim Baca Succeeded by Richard J. Berry 6th Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico In office
1993–1997Preceded by Louis E. Saavedra Succeeded by Jim Baca Personal details Born March 2, 1952
Albuquerque, New MexicoNationality American Political party Democratic Children Martinique Chávez
Zeke ChávezAlma mater University of New Mexico
Georgetown University Law CenterOccupation Executive Director of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA Religion Roman Catholic Martin Joseph Chávez (born March 2, 1952[1]) Chávez is a former three-term mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico and New Mexico State Senator.[2][1] He currently serves as the Executive Director of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA.[3] and Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Center for Green Schools at U.S. Green Building Council.[4] He is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for the Congressional seat being vacated by Martin Heinrich, who is retiring from the house to run for Senate.[5]
Contents
Background and Early Political career
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico of Hispanic heritage, Chávez attended both parochial (St. Charles Borromeo and Holy Ghost) and public (Van Buren Junior High and Manzano High) schools.[2] After graduating from Manzano High School, Chávez earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center.[2] He was the founding director of the New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration in 1986.[6][2] From 1987 to 1993 he served in the New Mexico State Senate where he helped pass the New Mexico Workers Compensation Act and the Voter Registration Reform Act.[2]
Mayor of Albuquerque and 1998 Governor's race
In 1997, Chávez decided not to run for re-election as Mayor and instead ran for Governor of New Mexico in 1998. He won the Democratic primary and faced incumbent Republican Governor Gary Johnson in the general election, which Chávez lost 45 percent to 55 percent.[7]
In 2001, Chávez again ran for Mayor of Albuquerque and finished first in a seven-candidate race. In 2005, he was the first mayor to be re-elected two consecutive terms since the creation of the strong mayoral form of government in 1974[2]
U.S. Senate Campaign
On October 8, 2007, Chávez announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat that was being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Pete Domenici. Democratic leaders, including Senator Charles Schumer, Chairman of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, recruited Tom Udall into the race.[8]
Chávez initially indicated that he intended to remain in the race, referring to Udall as Washington's "fair-haired boy."[9] However, Chavez ultimately withdrew from the race on December 7 saying, "While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election.[10] "
2009 Mayoral Race
In 2009, Chávez succeeded in overturning a two consecutive mayoral term limit, which he initially had gotten passed into law, and announced he would seek a third consecutive, and fourth overall, term as mayor. He ran against Republican State Representative Richard Berry and Democratic State Senator Richard Romero in a hotly contested race. Romero split the Democratic vote, and Richard J. Berry defeated Chavez 44% to 35% while Romero finished a distant third with 21%.[11]
Awards and recognition
As Mayor, Chávez partnered with the University of New Mexico, Sandia National Laboratories and leading entrepreneurs and educators to establish the Albuquerque Institute of Math and Science (AIMS), a charter high school dedicated to academic excellence. In 2009, the AIMS graduated its first senior class of 26 students. For the first time in New Mexico's history, an entire graduating class had enrolled in college.[12][2]
During his tenure as Mayor, Chávez and the City of Albuquerque received the following recognitions:
- Top Ten Places to Live In the US, US News and World Report (2009);[3]
- “Cool” Mayor Award, Mayors for Climate Protection –cited as “The Visionary” for sustainable water vision, urban forestry program and climate change initiatives, ICLEI (2009);[3]
- EPA Climate Protection Award, 1st Place, US Environmental Protection Agency (2008);[13]
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Siemens Sustainable Community Award (2008);[14]
- Fittest City in America, Men's Fitness Magazine (2008);[15]
- Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year Award, Association of Energy Engineers (2008);[3]
- Best Cities for Jobs or a Career, Forbes Magazine (2007);[16]
- Climate Protection Award, 1st Place, United States Conference of Mayors (2007);[17]
- Most Pet Friendly City,3rd Place, Forbes Magazine (2007);[18]
- World Leadership Award for Water Utilities Conservation, World Leadership Forum, London, (2006)[19]
- Number-one Place to do Business, Forbes Magazine (2006);[20]
- Mayor of Trees Award, National Alliance for Community Trees (2004);[3]
- William F. Dixon Award for Open Government, the Foundation for Open Government (2004);[21]
- One of America's 25 Most Dynamic Mayors, Newsweek (1997).[3]
Post-mayoral career
In March 2010, Chávez, was appointed Executive Director of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA. Chávez previously served on ICLEI USA’s Board of Directors and was recognized nationally as a “green mayor” during his tenure in Albuquerque. Chavez leads a staff of 52 ICLEI USA employees, based in six regional offices: Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Seattle. In addition to these responsibilities Chávez also speaks a many conferences including George Mason University's Washington Youth Summit on the Environment in 2011.
Chávez is a member of the National Building Museum’s Intelligent Cities Advisory Committee and member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests Task Force.[22][23] In March 2011, Chávez joined polar explorer and environmentalist Robert Swan, on an expedition to explore the effects of climate change in the Antarctica.[24] Chávez visited the remnants of the Larsen Ice Shelf known as “Larsen B"; once an ice shelf larger than the state of Rhode Island, which disintegrated over a three-week period in 2002 as a result of climate change.
References
- ^ a b "Nm_Gov_Chavez". CBS News. October 6, 1998. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/1998/10/06/politics/main19248.shtml.
- ^ a b c d e f g Marty's Story | Mayor Marty Chavez
- ^ a b c d e f Martin J. Chávez—ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA
- ^ Greening America's Schools Summit
- ^ Kyle Trygstad (June 29, 2011). "Ex-Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez Running in 1st District". Roll Call. http://www.rollcall.com/news/Marty-Chavez-New-Mexico-1st-district-congress-206899-1.htmllh. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
- ^ http://www.workerscomp.state.nm.us/research/bulletins/winter2007.pdf
- ^ City Mayors: Martin J Chavez – Mayor of Albuquerque
- ^ Reid Wilson (June 16, 2008). "Schumer Wins Again". Real Clear Politics. http://www.realclearpolitics.com/politics_nation/2008/06/schumer_wins_again.html. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
- ^ RALPH BLUMENTHAL (November 25, 2007). "Political Upheaval Follows a Rare Decision to Retire". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/us/25newmex.html?_r=1. Retrieved March 23, 2009.
- ^ "Chávez drops out of U.S. Senate race". KRQE-TV. December 7, 2007. http://www.krqe.com/Global/story.asp?S=7468037. Retrieved December 18, 2007.
- ^ Albuquerque: You Have a New Mayor | New Mexico Independent
- ^ Democracy for New Mexico: 2009 Albuquerque Mayoral Race
- ^ 2007 Climate Award Winners | Climate Protection Partnerships | US EPA
- ^ 2008 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards Winners | BCLC
- ^ http://www.mensfitness.com/city_rankings/412[dead link]
- ^ "Table: Best Cities For Jobs". Forbes. February 16, 2007. http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/15/best-cities-jobs-leadership-careers_cx_hc_0216cityjobs_table.html.
- ^ http://usmayors.org/75thAnnualMeeting/climateprotectionawards_062307.pdf
- ^ "America's Most Pet-Friendly Cities". Forbes. October 10, 2007. http://www.forbes.com/2007/10/10/pets-colorado-economics-biz-cx_tvr_1010pets.html.
- ^ Former ABQ Mayor Chavez takes job with sustainability org. | New Mexico Independent
- ^ Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2006/1/CODB_1.html.
- ^ FOG Open Government News
- ^ Task Force Members | Vibrant Cities & Urban Forests
- ^ http://www.nbm.org/media/video/intelligent-cities/martin-chavez.html
- ^ "ICLEI USA Executive Director Martin Chávez Joins Renowned Polar Explorer and Environmentalist, Sir Robert Swan, Global CEOs on Important Climate Change Expedition to Antarctic". EcoChamber. March 22, 2011. http://ecochamber.com/2011/03/iclei-usa-executive-director-martin-chavez-joins-renowned-polar-explorer-and-environmentalist-sir-robert-swan-global-ceos-on-important-climate-change-expedition-to-antarctic/. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
External links
Categories:- New Mexico State Senators
- New Mexico Democrats
- Mayors of Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University of New Mexico alumni
- Georgetown University alumni
- 1952 births
- Living people
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