William Payne (New Mexico politician)

For the American university president, see William H. Payne.

William Payne
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 20th district
In office
1997–2021
Preceded byMichael C. Wiener
Succeeded byMartin Hickey
Personal details
Born
William Holland Payne

(1951-07-18) July 18, 1951
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseDeborah
Residence2
EducationUniversity of New Mexico (BA, JD)
Georgetown University (MA)
Military service
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1975–2009
RankRear Admiral

William Holland Payne (born July 18, 1951)[1] is an American politician, attorney, and retired United States Navy Rear admiral.He served as a member of the New Mexico Senate from 1997 to 2021.

Early life and education

Payne was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He earned a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico and an Master of Arts from Georgetown University.[2]

Career

Military service

Upon commissioning as an ensign in February 1976, he reported to Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training in Coronado, California. After six months of training, Payne graduated with BUD/S class 89.[3] Following completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a naval special warfare officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia. He served with Underwater Demolition Team 11 and SEAL Team One. His last active duty assignment was as operations officer for Naval Special Warfare Unit 1, Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. Payne eventually rose to the rank of rear admiral while in the United States Navy Reserve.[4][5]

Politics and government

Elected to the New Mexico Senate in 1997, Payne also served as the Republican whip. Payne was a member of the American Legislative Exchange Council and served as New Mexico state leader in 2012.[6]

In 2020, Payne announced that he would not be a candidate for re-election.[7] He was succeeded by Democrat Martin Hickey.[8][9]

In 2021, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham appointed Payne to the University of New Mexico Board of Regents.[10]

References
  1. "PN1337 — Navy". congress.gov. August 4, 1990. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  2. "William Payne (New Mexico)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  3. "Navy Seal Foundation". 2022. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022.
  4. "Legislators". New Mexico Legislature. 2003.
  5. "Payne Bio". navy.mil. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  6. "State Chairmen". American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). Archived from the original on April 1, 2012.
  7. Chief, Dan Boyd | Journal Capitol Bureau. "NM Senate veteran Payne won't run for re-election in 2020". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  8. Writer, Dan McKay | Journal Staff. "Doctor launches campaign for ABQ legislative seat". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  9. Metzger, Bryan; Depth, New Mexico In (November 3, 2020). "Democrats dream of expanded majority in State Senate". The NM Political Report. Retrieved November 17, 2020.
  10. "Gov. makes regent nominations at institutions of higher learning statewide | Office of the Governor - Michelle Lujan Grisham". Retrieved March 31, 2021.
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