Attorney General of New Mexico
| New Mexico Attorney General | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $154,714 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $36,392,900 |
| Term limits: | 2 consecutive terms |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | New Mexico Constitution, Article V, Section I |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Attorney General of New Mexico Raul Torrez | |
| Elections | |
| Next election: | 2026 |
| Last election: | 2022 |
| Other New Mexico Executive Offices | |
| Governor •Lieutenant Governor •Secretary of State •Attorney General •Treasurer •Auditor •Commissioner of Public Lands •Secretary of Education •Agriculture Secretary •Insurance Superintendent •Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources •Secretary of Workforce Solutions •Public Regulation Commission •Public Education Commission | |
TheAttorney General ofNew Mexico is an elected executive officer for the state ofNew Mexico. Theattorney general serves as head of the New Mexico Department of Justice and is required to be a licensed attorney.
InNew Mexico, the state attorney general is fifth in succession to the office ofgovernor, after thelieutenant governor,secretary of state, president pro tempore of thestate senate and the speaker ofstate house.
The attorney general functions as the state's chief legal officer, legal counsel to state government, consumer advocate and guardian of the public interest.[1]
New Mexico has a Democratictriplex. The Democratic Party controls the offices of governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.
Current officeholder
The current Attorney General of New Mexico isRaul Torrez (D). Torrez assumed office in 2023.
Authority
Thestate Constitution addresses the office of attorney general inArticle V, the Executive Department.
Under Article V, Section 1:
The executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, attorney general and commissioner of public lands,... |
Qualifications
Article 5, Section 3 of theNew Mexico Constitution establishes the qualifications of the office:
| No person shall be eligible to any office specified in Section One, hereof, unless he be a citizen of the United States, at least thirty years of age, nor unless he shall have resided continuously in New Mexico for five years next preceding his election; nor to the office of attorney general, unless he be a licensed attorney of thesupreme court of New Mexico in good standing; nor to the office ofsuperintendent of public instruction unless he be a trained and experienced educator. |
Elections
New Mexico elects attorneys general in the midterm election years, such as 2018, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034.
Term limits
Term limits for the attorney general are laid out inArticle V, Section 1 of the New Mexico Constitution, which prohibits attorneys general from serving more than two consecutive terms.
New Mexico Constitution, Article V, Section 1:
| The executive department shall consist of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, attorney general and commissioner of public lands, who shall, unless otherwise provided in the constitution of New Mexico, be elected for terms of four years beginning on the first day of January next after their election. The governor and lieutenant governor shall be elected jointly by the casting by each voter of a single vote applicable to both offices. Such officers shall, after having served two terms in a state office, be ineligible to hold that state office until one full term has intervened. |
Election results
See also: New Mexico Attorney General election, 2030
There are noofficial candidates yet for this election.
See also: New Mexico Attorney General election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on June 2, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
IncumbentRaul Torrez (D) is running in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Raul Torrez | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. | |||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
Samuel Kane (R) is running in the Republican primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Samuel Kane | ||
| There are noincumbents in this race. | |||
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See also: New Mexico Attorney General election, 2022
General election
General election for Attorney General of New Mexico
Raul Torrez (D) defeatedJeremy Gay (R) in the general election for Attorney General of New Mexico on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Raul Torrez (D) | 55.3 | 388,592 |
 | Jeremy Gay (R) | 44.7 | 314,023 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 702,615 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
Raul Torrez (D) defeatedBrian S. Colón (D) in the Democratic primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Raul Torrez | 53.5 | 73,299 |
 | Brian S. Colón | 46.5 | 63,723 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 137,022 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
Jeremy Gay (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jeremy Gay | 100.0 | 92,688 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 92,688 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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General election
General election for Attorney General of New Mexico
IncumbentHector Balderas (D) defeatedMichael Hendricks (R) andA. Blair Dunn (L) in the general election for Attorney General of New Mexico on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Hector Balderas (D) | 61.8 | 427,583 |
 | Michael Hendricks (R) | 33.4 | 231,296 | |
 | A. Blair Dunn (L) | 4.8 | 32,931 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 691,810 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
IncumbentHector Balderas (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Hector Balderas | 100.0 | 150,515 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 150,515 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary
Republican primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
Michael Hendricks (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Michael Hendricks | 100.0 | 66,588 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 66,588 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Libertarian Party primary
Libertarian primary for Attorney General of New Mexico
A. Blair Dunn (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party primary for Attorney General of New Mexico on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | A. Blair Dunn | 100.0 | 608 |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 608 | ||
| = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Vacancies
PerArticle V, Section 5 of theNew Mexico Constitution, in the event of a vacancy the governor fills the position by appointment. The appointee serves until the next general election.
Duties
The attorney general functions as the state's chief legal officer, legal counsel to state government, consumer advocate and guardian of the public interest. Theattorney general also serves as head of the state's department of justice.[4]
Divisions
As of January 12, 2021, the many different divisions within the attorney general's office can be divided into four main categories:Operations,Criminal Affairs,Civil Affairs, andPolicy & Public Affairs. Within each of these categories are a series of smaller divisions tasked with executing a different portion of the office's responsibilities.
Operations
- The Human Resources Division oversees recruitment, retention, employee benefits, and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
- The Information Technology Division ensures that the Office has the technology necessary to operate effectively, and also ensures that the Office's technology infrastructure is secure.
- The Executive Services Division oversees operational activities and manages the day-to-day operations of the Office.
- The Financial Control Division manages the Office's finances, budget, and grants.[5]
Criminal Affairs
- The Criminal Appeals Division represents and advocates for victims and the People of New Mexico in all criminal appeals and habeas corpus proceedings in state and federal courts.
- The Medicaid Fraud and Elder Abuse Division is a criminal law enforcement unit that enforces the Medicaid Fraud Act and the Resident Abuse and Neglect Act, investigates and prosecutes Medicaid providers who commit fraud and/or resident abuse, neglect and exploitation in long-term care facilities, and pursues civil monetary repayment of Medicaid program funds when a Medicaid provider does not provide adequate services to recipients.
- The Special Prosecutions Division deals with complex and specialized prosecutions including crimes again children, fraud, government corruption, and violent crimes. Most of the criminal cases handled by the Division are referred by the local district attorney, based on a conflict of interest or because the district attorney seeks assistance from the Attorney General in some specialized area. Within this division, there is also aBorder Violence Unit, formed to develop and coordinate cooperative efforts between prosecutors and law enforcement agencies in New Mexico and similar entities in the Republic of Mexico.
- The Special Investigations Division is devoted to the specialized investigations, and includes anAnti-Money Laundering Unit and anInternet Crimes Against Children Unit.[6]
The Civil Affairs Division
- The Consumer Protection Division enforces consumer protection laws to prevent and deter unfair, deceptive, anti-competitive and unlawful practices that injure consumers and businesses.
- The Litigation Division represents the State of New Mexico in three primary areas: general litigation, administrative prosecutions, and representation of judges and state officials on civil writs. This Division also enforces the Master Settlement Agreement of the Tobacco Settlement.
- The Environmental Protection Division strives to protect, preserve, and enhance New Mexico’s fragile environment, water, and natural resources through litigation and cooperative efforts with stakeholders. In addition, staff members represent the interests of New Mexico’s residential and small business consumers in matters of gas, electronic and telecommunication regulation.
- The Open Government Division provides legal advice and representation to state agencies, boards and commissions and researches and drafts Attorney General opinions and advisory letters pertaining to civil legal matter. The Civil Division conducts "Sunshine Law" seminars to teach state and local bodies their duties under the law and to provide the public with an understanding of what they should expect from their government.[7]
Policy & Public Affairs
The primary functions of this division is to handle legislative affairs, engage in community outreach, oversee victims services, and assist constituents who reach out to the office.[8]
State budget
- See also:New Mexico state budget and finances
The budget for the Attorney General's office in Fiscal Year 2025 was $36,392,900.[9]
Compensation
The salaries of state executive officers are established by theNew Mexico State Legislature as mandated in the state constitution.Article V, Section 12 of theNew Mexico Constitution established initial salaries for constitutional officers with the state legislature able to adjust these salaries starting in 1922, which was 10 years after the state's admission to the United States. This constitutional provision states the following:[10]
| Text of Section 12: Compensation of Executive Officers The annual compensation to be paid to the officers mentioned in Section One of this article shall be as follows: governor, five thousand dollars ($5,000); secretary of state, three thousand dollars ($3,000); state auditor, three thousand dollars ($3,000); state treasurer, three thousand dollars ($3,000); attorney general, four thousand dollars ($4,000); superintendent of public instruction, three thousand dollars ($3,000); and commissioner of public lands, three thousand dollars ($3,000); which compensation shall be paid to the respective officers in equal quarterly payments. The lieutenant governor shall receive ten dollars ($10.00) per diem while acting as presiding officer of the senate, and mileage at the same rate as a state senator. The compensation herein fixed shall be full payment for all services rendered by said officers and they shall receive no other fees or compensation whatsoever. The compensation of any of said officers may be increased or decreased by law after the expiration of ten years from the date of the admission of New Mexico as a state. |
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $154,714, according to New Mexico Statutes.[11]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2021
In 2021, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2020
In 2020, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2019
In 2019, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2018
In 2018, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]
2017
In 2017, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]
2016
In 2016, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[18]
2015
In 2015, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[19]
2014
In 2014, the attorney general received a salary of $95,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[20]
2013
In 2013, the attorney general's salary remained at $95,000.[21]
2010
In 2010, the attorney general was paid an estimated $95,000 according to theCouncil of State Governments.[22]
Historical officeholders
Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Attorney General of New Mexico has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, pleaseemail us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the termsNew Mexico Attorney General. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
Mailing Address:
P.O. Drawer 1508
Santa Fe, NM 87504-1508
Street Address:
408 Galisteo Street
Villagra Building
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
Phone: (505) 490-4060
Fax: (505) 490-4883
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑New Mexico Attorney General, "About the Office," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑New Mexico Secretary of State - 2010 General Election Results
- ↑Secretary of State - Official 2006 General Election Results(dead link)
- ↑Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, "Mission and Vision," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, "Operations," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, "Criminal Affairs," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, "Civil Affairs," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Office of the New Mexico Attorney General, "Policy & Public Affairs," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑New Mexico State Legislature, "New Mexico General Appropriation Act of 2024," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑New Mexico Compilation Commission, "8-1-1 Compensation of elective state officers," accessed February 25, 2015
- ↑Justia US Law, "2023 New Mexico Statutes Chapter 8 - Elected Officials Article 1 - Compensation Section 8-1-1 - Compensation of elective state officers," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2020," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed January 11, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 3, 2014
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 31, 2014
- ↑The Council of State Governments, "The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11," accessed June 22, 2011
