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Ben Altamirano | |
|---|---|
| Member of theNew Mexico Senate from the 28th district | |
| In office 1971–2007 | |
| Succeeded by | Howie Morales |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ben D. Altamirano (1930-10-17)October 17, 1930 Silver City, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | December 27, 2007(2007-12-27) (aged 77) |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | Western New Mexico University |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Ben D. Altamirano (October 17, 1930 – December 27, 2007) was an American politician and businessman who served as a member of theNew Mexico Senate from 1971 until his death in 2007.
Altamirano was born inSilver City, New Mexico in 1930. He enlisted in theUnited States Army in 1946 and served with the European occupation forces afterWorld War II. After his stint in the Army, he attendedWestern New Mexico University.
Altamirano began his political career on the Silver City Town Council, where he served for 10 years. He then served for four years on theGrant County Commission.
In 1970, Altamirano was elected to theNew Mexico Senate, representing District 28. He took office in 1971 and served until his death. At the time of his death, Senator Altamirano was the longest-serving senator in the history of the State of New Mexico.
Altamirano ran forlieutenant governor in 1994. He was one of four candidates in the Democratic primary and lost the primary toPatricia Madrid, who lost that November.
Altamirano served as chairman of the powerful Finance Committee for 17 years before being selected by his colleagues to serve asPresident Pro Tempore in 2003.
Altamirano owned several grocery stores for 40 years and was married to Nina Melendrez. They had two sons and a daughter, and also helped raise their nieces and nephew.
Altamirano died from a heart attack on December 27, 2007. He was 77. He had suffered from heart ailments since 1981 and had recently undergone surgery. He was buried in Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City, New Mexico. He was survived by his wife, his three children, and other family members. On January 9, 2008, GovernorBill Richardson appointed Grant County ClerkHowie Morales to succeed Altamirano.
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