Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Isabel Leger Fernandez (/tɛˈrɛsɑː ˈlɛdʒər fɛrnɑːndɛs/ teh-RESS-ah LEDGE-ər ferr-NAHN-dess; born July 1, 1959)[1][2] is an American attorney and politician representing New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives.[3][4]

For the Spanish archer, see Teresa Fernández.

Teresa Leger Fernandez
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 3rd district
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byBen Ray Luján
Personal details
Born
Teresa Leger

(1959-07-01) July 1, 1959
Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseLuis Fernandez (divorced)
Children3
Parents
EducationYale University (BA)
Stanford University (JD)
WebsiteHouse website

Early life and education

Leger Fernandez was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico.[5] Her mother, Mela Leger, was a bilingual educator and her father, Ray Leger, served as a member of the New Mexico Senate.[6] After graduating from West Las Vegas High School, Leger Fernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.[7]

Career

After graduating from law school, Leger Fernandez returned to New Mexico to work as an attorney, specializing in community-building and tribal advocacy. She was a White House Fellow during the Clinton administration and later served on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation during the Obama administration.[8][9] She also worked as a liaison between the White House Office and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. For 30 years, Leger Fernandez has operated Leger Law and Strategy, LLC in Santa Fe. The firm focuses on community development, tribal advocacy, civil rights, and social justice.[10] In 2017, she led a successful effort to implement ranked-choice voting in Santa Fe's municipal elections.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

2020
Main article: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico § District 3

After incumbent Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that he would not seek reelection in 2020 and instead run for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Tom Udall, Leger Fernandez announced her candidacy to succeed Luján. In the Democratic primary, Leger Fernandez faced six opponents, including New Mexico State Representative Joseph L. Sanchez and Valerie Plame, an author and former CIA officer.[12] During the campaign, Leger Fernandez was endorsed by Congresswoman Deb Haaland, EMILY's List, and The Santa Fe New Mexican.[13][14]

A political progressive, Leger Fernandez was also endorsed by the Working Families Party, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[15] She placed first in the primary with over 42% of the vote.[16]

In the November general election, Leger Fernandez defeated Republican nominee Alexis Johnson. She assumed office on January 3, 2021.[17][18]

Committee assignments [19]

Caucus membership [21]
  • Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chair of Communications
  • Democratic Women's Caucus, Vice Chair
  • National Labs Caucus, Co-Chair
  • Rural Broadband Caucus, Co-Chair
  • Congressional Progressive Caucus
  • Diabetes Caucus
  • Labor Caucus
  • LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus
  • Mental Health Caucus
  • National Heritage Area Caucus
  • Native American Caucus
  • PFAS Caucus
  • Pro-Choice Caucus
  • Rural Caucus
  • Ski Caucus

Political positions

Leger Fernandez has advocated a "New Mexico Green New Deal", Medicare for All, a transition from fracking to green energy, and a ban on the sale of military-style semi-automatic rifles.[22] She has also supported comprehensive immigration reform and the DREAM Act.[23]

Personal life

Leger Fernandez and her ex-husband, Luis Fernandez, have three sons.[24]

See also

References
  1. Baker, Damare (November 30, 2020). "Rep.-elect Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.-03)". The Hill. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. "Teresa Leger Fernandez". Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  3. "New Mexico Primary Election Results: Third Congressional District". The New York Times. June 2, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on June 2, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. Medina, Jennifer (June 3, 2020). "Teresa Leger Fernandez Beats Valerie Plame in New Mexico House Primary". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  5. Bennett, Megan Bennett. "Santa Fe lawyer kicks off campaign for Congress". www.abqjournal.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. Grover, Hannah. "Election 2020: Teresa Leger Fernandez hopes to represent Congressional District 3". Tallahassee Democrat. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  7. Gerstein, Michael (June 2, 2020). "Leger Fernandez wins Democratic primary for 3rd Congressional District seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  8. Grover, Hannah. "Election 2020: Teresa Leger Fernandez hopes to represent Congressional District 3". Farmington Daily Times. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. "Meet Teresa". Teresa 4 All. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. "Teresa Leger de Fernandez, Rebellious Lawyer". Rebellious Lawyering Institute #RebelliousLawyering. January 7, 2015. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. Last, T. S. (June 7, 2020). "Democratic nominee in CD3 inspired by state senator father". www.abqjournal.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
  12. "Santa Fe lawyer Leger Fernandez running for Congress". AP NEWS. May 16, 2019. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  13. Panetta, Grace. "LIVE UPDATES: Valerie Plame and Teresa Leger Fernandez compete in the primary for New Mexico's third district". Business Insider. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  14. "Endorsements". Teresa 4 All. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  15. Blaber, Mona (January 23, 2020). "Sierra Club endorses Teresa Leger Fernandez for U.S. House". Rio Grande Chapter. Archived from the original on July 5, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  16. Gerstein, Michael (June 3, 2020). "With clear primary victory, Leger Fernandez eyes November". Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on July 4, 2020. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  17. "Teresa Leger Fernandez will take U.S. House District 3 seat". KRQE News 13 Albuquerque - Santa Fe. November 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  18. Grover, Hannah. "Leger Fernandez wins Democratic nomination for CD3, Johnson leads in Republican primary". Farmington Daily Times. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  19. Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601. "Teresa Leger Fernandez (New Mexico (NM)), 118th Congress Profile". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  20. "Pelosi Announces Additional Committee Assignments for 117th Congress". Speaker Nancy Pelosi. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  21. "Committees and Caucuses". Representative Teresa Fernandez. September 22, 2022. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  22. "Editorial: Our picks for president, Congress". The Taos News. May 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  23. Candidate, The (May 8, 2020). "Q&A: U.S. House District 3 Teresa Leger Fernandez". www.abqjournal.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  24. "Teresa Leger Fernandez For NM US Congress In District Three". Retake Our Democracy. May 23, 2020. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
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