New Mexico State Auditor
| New Mexico State Auditor | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $144,714 |
| 2025 FY Budget: | $5,010,800 |
| Term limits: | Two consecutive terms |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 4 years |
| Authority: | New Mexico Constitution, Article V, Section I |
| Selection Method: | Elected |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
New Mexico State Auditor Joseph Maestas | |
| 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 | |
TheNew Mexico Auditor is an elected constitutional state executive officer in the New Mexico state government.
The auditor's office is responsible for examining and auditing the financial affairs of every agency each year through financial and special audits.[1]
Current officeholder
The current New Mexico State Auditor isJoseph Maestas (D). Maestas assumed office in 2023.
Authority
The office of the state auditor's authority is derived fromArticle V, Section 1 of theNew 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 ...[2] |
Qualifications
Article V, 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 ...[2] |
- A U.S. citizen.
- At least 30 years of age.
- Have resided continuously in New Mexico for five years preceding the election.
Elections
New Mexico elects auditors in the midterm elections, that is, even years that are not presidential election years. For New Mexico, 2022, 2026, 2030, and 2034 are all auditor election years.[2]
Term limits
The state auditor is limited to serving two consecutive four-year terms.
Election results
See also: New Mexico Auditor 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 New Mexico State Auditor
IncumbentJoseph Maestas (D) is running in the Democratic primary for New Mexico State Auditor on June 2, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Joseph Maestas | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. | |||
 = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
See also: New Mexico Auditor election, 2022
General election
General election for New Mexico State Auditor
Joseph Maestas (D) defeatedTravis Sanchez (L) in the general election for New Mexico State Auditor on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Maestas (D) | 61.9 | 399,810 |
 | Travis Sanchez (L) | 38.1 | 245,725 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 645,535 | ||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for New Mexico State Auditor
Joseph Maestas (D) defeatedZackary Quintero (D) in the Democratic primary for New Mexico State Auditor on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Maestas | 57.3 | 74,701 |
 | Zackary Quintero | 42.7 | 55,732 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 130,433 | ||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for June 7, 2022, was canceled.
Libertarian Party primary
Libertarian primary for New Mexico State Auditor
Robert Vaillancourt (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party primary for New Mexico State Auditor on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Robert Vaillancourt (Write-in) | 100.0 | 284 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 284 | ||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
See also: New Mexico Auditor election, 2018
General election
General election for New Mexico State Auditor
Brian S. Colón (D) defeated incumbentWayne Johnson (R) in the general election for New Mexico State Auditor on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Brian S. Colón (D) | 57.6 | 395,714 |
 | Wayne Johnson (R) | 42.4 | 291,714 | |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source | Total votes: 687,428 | ||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for New Mexico State Auditor
Brian S. Colón (D) defeatedBill McCamley (D) in the Democratic primary for New Mexico State Auditor on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Brian S. Colón | 62.5 | 100,949 |
 | Bill McCamley | 37.5 | 60,464 | |
| There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 161,413 | ||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
Republican primary for New Mexico State Auditor
IncumbentWayne Johnson (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico State Auditor on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Wayne Johnson | 100.0 | 68,267 |
| Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. | Total votes: 68,267 | ||
| = 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team. | ||||
Vacancies
Details of vacancy appointments are addressed underArticle V, Section 5 of theNew Mexico Constitution. In the event of a vacancy, thegovernor fills the position by appointment. The appointee serves until the next general election.[2]
Duties
The state auditor is responsible for examining and auditing the financial affairs of every state agency annually. The state auditor must also examine and audit the comprehensive annual financial report for the state.[3]
Divisions
The office of the state auditor consists of the following divisions:[1][4]
- Administrative
- Financial Audit
- Compliance and Regulation
- Special Investigation
- Government Accountability Office
State budget
- See also:New Mexico state budget and finances
The budget for the office of the state auditor in Fiscal Year 2025 was $5,010,800.[5]
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.
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $144,714, according to New Mexico Statutes.[6]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[7]
2021
In 2021, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[8]
2020
In 2020, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[9]
2019
In 2019, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[10]
2018
In 2018, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[11]
2017
In 2017, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[12]
2016
In 2016, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[13]
2015
In 2015, the auditor received a salary $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[14]
2014
In 2014, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[15]
2013
In 2013, the auditor's salary remained at $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[16]
2010
In 2010, the auditor received a salary of $85,000, according to theCouncil of State Governments.[17]
Historical officeholders
Note:Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the New Mexico State Auditor 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 State Auditor. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact information
New Mexico Office of the State Auditor:
2540 Camino Edward Ortiz, Suite A
Santa Fe, NM 87507
Phone: 505-476-3800
Fax: 505-827-3512
Email:Brian.Colon@osa.state.nm.us
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑1.01.1Office of the State Auditor, "About the OSA," accessed Jan. 28, 2021
- ↑2.02.12.22.3Office of the New Mexico Secretary of State, "NM Constitution," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
- ↑Justia, "NM Stat § 12-6-3 (2019)," accessed Jan. 28, 2021
- ↑The Government Accountability Office is a special office, rather than a division.
- ↑New Mexico State Legislature, "New Mexico General Appropriation Act of 2024," accessed January 22, 2025
- ↑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
- ↑Issuu, "The Book of the States," Sept. 30, 2020
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2019," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2018," accessed Jan. 27, 2021
- ↑Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2017," accessed Jan. 27, 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
