Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2009
Preceded by	Heather Wilson
Personal details
Born	October 17, 1971 (1971-10-17) (age 40) Fallon, Nevada
Nationality	United States
Political party	Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Julie Heinrich
Children	Carter Heinrich Micah Heinrich
Residence	Albuquerque, New Mexico
Alma mater	University of Missouri
Profession	businessman, politician
Religion	Lutheran - ELCA
Website	www.martinheinrich.com

Martin T. Heinrich (born October 17, 1971) is the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district, serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

The district includes the central area of the state, in and around Albuquerque.

Early life, education and career

Born in Fallon, Nevada, 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]

Early political career

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]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2008

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico, 2008#District 1

Heinrich 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 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%, largely helped by Barack Obama carrying the 1st with 60 percent of the vote. 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.

2010

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico, 2010#District 1

Heinrich was challenged by the Republican candidate Jon Barela. On November 2nd, 2010, Martin Heinrich narrowly won his re-election campaign and will serve as the Representative for the 1st Congressional District of New Mexico until 2012.

2012

See also: United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2012

Heinrich announced that he will run for the United States Senate to succeed Jeff Bingaman, who is retiring at the end of his term.^[7]

Tenure

On January 14, 2009, he was elected to a six-month term as class president by the House Democratic freshmen.^[8] 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. ^[9] He successfully ran for re-election in 2010 against Republican Jon Barela. Heinrich received the endorsement of the National Rifle Association during his 2010 run.^[10]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Armed Services
  • Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces
  • Subcommittee on Strategic Forces
• Committee on Natural Resources
  • Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
  • Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands

Political positions

Abortion

NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC endorsed Martin Heinrich in 2010.^[11] Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, stated in a press release that "Rep. Heinrich has a solid record of standing up for women's freedom and privacy," Keenan said. "He is an outstanding advocate for New Mexico's commonsense pro-choice values. Rep. Heinrich's victory in 2008 is one reason the state has an entirely pro-choice congressional delegation – and we want to keep it that way."^[12] The pro-choice PAC announced that it would "mobilize its more than 2,600 member activists in New Mexico's 1st District in support of Rep. Heinrich's reelection."^[12]

Heinrich received a 100% on NARAL Pro-Choice America's 2009 Congressional Record on Choice scorecard.^[13]

Heinrich has a 0% record on votes scored by the National Right to Life Committee.^[14]

Environment

Heinrich has been an active environmentalist throughout his career. 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] He later served on the Albuquerque City Council, 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] He also served on the Sierra Club's Rio Grande Chapter executive committee.^[15]

Heinrich received the Sierra Club's first endorsement of the 2012 election cycle in August 2011.^[16] Sierra Club President Robin Mann stated, "As a member of Congress, Representative Heinrich has been an outstanding environmental champion during a period in which environmental issues faced steep and vicious opposition from well funded corporate opponents. The Sierra Club proudly throws its weight behind Martin Heinrich's candidacy for U.S. Senate."^[15]

Gay marriage

Heinrich's position on gay marriage has changed since he first ran for Congress.

In 2008, Heinrich stated, "I am not supportive of gay marriage, but I do believe that everybody in the United States has the same civil rights in front of the government. So I think it's important that civil rights that are available to heterosexual couples should be available to every single gay couple who also wants to make the same sort of commitments."^[17]

Heinrich was an original cosponsor of Congressman Jerry Nadler's 2009 legislation to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.^[18]

After his 2012 Senate primary opponent, Hector Balderas, announced his support for gay marriage^[17], Heinrich's staff released a statement to the New Mexico Independent newspaper stating, "Martin has supported gay marriage for some time. I just don't think he was asked about it. Thanks for asking!"^[19]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Martin's Story". Martin Heinrich for Congress. http://www.martinheinrich.com/about/story. 
2. ^ "Heinrich Martin (D)". The Washington Post. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/2008/elections/nm/house/1203/heinrich-martin/. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "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. 
4. ^ Haussamen, Heath (2007-04-11). "The race to run against Wilson is heating up". Heath Haussamen on New Mexico Politics. http://haussamen.blogspot.com/2007/04/race-to-run-against-wilson-is-heating.html. 
5. ^ Las Cruces Sun-News. FINAL RESULTS: June 3 primary election June 20, 2008
6. ^ ^{a b c} James, Randy (October 15, 2008). "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. Retrieved May 12, 2010. 
7. ^ The Washington Post. April 3, 2011. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/heinrich-to-run-for-senate-in-new-mexico/2011/04/02/AFpyk5PC_blog.html. 
8. ^ "Representative Martin Heinrich Elected President of the Democratic Freshman Class". Congressman Martin Heinrich. 2009-01-14. http://heinrich.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=11&parentid=2&sectiontree=2,11&itemid=41. 
9. ^ "50 Most Beautiful 2009 (link no longer active)". 2009-07-28. http://thehill.com/cover-stories/50-most-beautiful-2009---top-10-html-2009-07-28.html. 
10. ^ "National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund: New Mexico". http://www.nrapvf.org/upcoming-elections/New-Mexico.aspx. Retrieved 2010-10-011. 
11. ^ ""Heinrich, Martin :: NARAL Pro-Choice America"". prochoiceamerica.org. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/pro-choice-voter-guide/candidate-profiles/heinrich-martin.html. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
12. ^ ^{a b} "NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC Endorses Martin Heinrich in Key U.S. House Contest :: NARAL Pro-Choice America". prochoiceamerica.org. 2009-10-09. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/elections-press-releases/2010/pr10092009_pacendorsesheinrich.html. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
13. ^ "NARAL Pro-Choice America's 2009 Congressional Record on Choice". prochoiceamerica.org. 2010-01-05. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/government-and-you/us-government/congressional-records/congressional-record-on-choice-2009.pdf. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
14. ^ "Rep. Martin Heinrich (D-NM 1st District)". http://nrlc.www.capwiz.com. http://nrlc.www.capwiz.com/bio/id/61668. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
15. ^ ^{a b} Wold, Barbara (2011-08-05). "Sierra Club Endorses Martin Heinrich for U.S. Senate". democracyfornewmexico.com. http://www.democracyfornewmexico.com/democracy_for_new_mexico/2011/08/sierra-club-endorses-martin-heinrich-for-us-senate.html. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
16. ^ "2012 Endorsements". sierraclub.org. http://sierraclub.org/politics/endorsements/. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
17. ^ ^{a b} "Hector Balderas Says He Supports Gay Marriage". ontopmag.com. 2011-08-01. http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=9096&MediaType=1&Category=26. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
18. ^ "Bill Summary & Status 111th Congress (2009 - 2010) H.R.3567 Cosponsors". thomas.loc.gov. http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d111:1:./temp/~bdnblr:@@@P. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 
19. ^ Monahan, Joe (2011-08-11). "Heinrich Joins Balderas On Gay Marriage; He Now Favors It, Plus: Darren White Resurfacing, And: Hawaii Happiness: Politicos Tie Knot". http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com. http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/2011/08/heinrich-joins-balderas-on-gay-marriage.html. Retrieved 2011-08-15. 

External links

• Martin Heinrich for Senate official campaign site
• Congressman Martin Heinrich official U.S. House site
• Martin Heinrich for Congress official campaign site
• Biography at WhoRunsGov.com at The Washington Post
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Congressional profile at GovTrack
• Congressional profile at OpenCongress
• Issue positions and quotes at On The Issues
• Financial information at OpenSecrets.org
• Staff salaries, trips and personal finance at LegiStorm.com
• Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
• Appearances on C-SPAN programs
• Profile at SourceWatch

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by Heather Wilson	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 1st congressional district 2009–present	Incumbent
United States order of precedence
Preceded by Gregg Harper R-Mississippi	United States Representatives by seniority 309th	Succeeded by Jim Himes D-Connecticut

Persondata
Name	Heinrich, Martin
Alternative names
Short description	Politician
Date of birth	October 17, 1971
Place of birth	Fallon, Nevada
Date of death
Place of death