31 Facts About Hector Balderas

In 2014, Hector Balderas was the only Hispanic candidate on the statewide Democratic ticket and earned more votes than any other statewide candidate, surpassing both Governor Susana Martinez and US Senator Tom Udall.

Hector Balderas was raised by his single mother in the rural village of Wagon Mound, New Mexico, where he experienced firsthand the challenges of poverty.

Hector Balderas attended Wagon Mound High School and participated in TRIO Upward Bound, a federally funded college prep program.

Hector Balderas became the first person from his hometown to become an attorney, setting the foundation for a career dedicated to justice, accountability, and public advocacy.

Hector Balderas launched his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Bernalillo County, prosecuting criminal cases from 2002 to 2003.

Hector Balderas then took on the role of special prosecutor for domestic violence cases in the 4th Judicial District of New Mexico, handling some of the state's most sensitive cases.

Hector Balderas pushed for consumer protections against price gouging during emergencies and led efforts to establish incentives for clean energy development.

Hector Balderas's work exposed fraudulent practices at New Mexico's regional housing authorities, questionable public land deals by a former state land commissioner, misuse of state vehicles at the Public Regulation Commission, and over-billing by private contractors at the Corrections Department.

Hector Balderas led an investigation into the New Mexico Finance Authority, revealing the issuance of a fraudulent audit report that sent shockwaves through the state's financial sector.

Hector Balderas's audit uncovered widespread financial abuse by city officials, prompting the first-ever state takeover of a municipality in New Mexico's history.

Hector Balderas's work led to increased financial oversight, stricter audit compliance measures, and policy reforms that protected taxpayers and ensured public funds were used transparently.

Hector Balderas took action against Sheryl Williams Stapleton, a Democratic state legislator and Albuquerque Public Schools administrator, after uncovering an illegal kickback scheme in which she steered more than $5.3 million in sole-source APS contracts to a shell company, Robotics Learning Management Systems.

Hector Balderas's investigation led to the seizure of nearly $450,000 from fraudulent accounts before they could be looted, and forced Stapleton to resign from the Legislature just days after search warrants were executed at her home, office, and business.

Hector Balderas filed a federal lawsuit against the tech giant Google for illegally tracking and collecting personal data from schoolchildren through its education products.

Hector Balderas played a central role in the case against the Cancer Fund of America, a fraudulent charity that raised $187 million under false pretenses, giving donors the false impression they were helping cancer patients.

Hector Balderas was an unwavering advocate for child safety and justice for abuse survivors.

Hector Balderas later sued Walgreens, Walmart, and Kroger, alleging that they had failed to prevent the illegal diversion of opioids.

Hector Balderas played a pivotal role in securing $32 million in settlements for New Mexico communities impacted by the Gold King Mine spill, a 2015 environmental disaster caused by the Environmental Protection Agency that polluted the Animas and San Juan Rivers.

Hector Balderas led New Mexico's legal battle against Texas over the Rio Grande water dispute.

Hector Balderas assembled top legal and scientific experts to defend New Mexico's rights, positioning the state on the verge of a historic settlement that would protect water resources for generations to come.

Hector Balderas pushed for legislative solutions, calling for the passage of the Organized Retail Crime Act to increase penalties for serial shoplifters.

Hector Balderas supported federal efforts like the INFORM Consumers Act, which sought to regulate online marketplaces that were being used to sell stolen goods.

In January 2023, Hector Balderas was unanimously appointed President of Northern New Mexico College by the college's Board of Regents, bringing his extensive experience in public service, governance, and advocacy to higher education.

Hector Balderas has been a strong proponent of higher education, and its role as engines of social mobility and economic opportunity.

Hector Balderas has publicly spoken about accessible higher education as being one of the most powerful tools for breaking cycles of poverty and creating lasting change.

Hector Balderas prioritized expanding access to education and reversing years of stagnant enrollment.

Hector Balderas's Soaring to New Heights model has led to a 14 percent enrollment increase in the fall of 2023 and a 24 percent increase in the spring of 2024.

Hector Balderas has worked towards the revitalization of NNMC's historic El Rito campus, transforming it into a hub for workforce training, the arts, and economic development.

Hector Balderas secured $700,000 to renovate student housing and partnered with Grandave Capital to establish a film studio, creating career pathways in media production.

Hector Balderas has expanded NNMC's workforce partnerships, launching the Center for Information Technology and Cybersecurity in collaboration with Los Alamos National Laboratory and the National Nuclear Security Administration.

Hector Balderas's daughter, Arianna, was born with Down syndrome, inspiring his lifelong advocacy for individuals with special needs.