Michelle Lujan Grisham stands as the thirty-second Governor Of New Mexico, making history as the first Democratic Hispanic woman to achieve this role in the United States. Embarking on her second term in 2023, Governor Lujan Grisham has established a remarkable track record of implementing significant and enduring changes for the families and communities across New Mexico. Her leadership is characterized by a proactive approach to addressing key issues, from environmental protection to bolstering the state’s economy and enhancing educational opportunities.
A cornerstone of Governor Lujan Grisham’s administration has been the unwavering commitment to elevate the quality of education for all New Mexicans, spanning from early childhood to higher education pursuits. During her initial term, she spearheaded the establishment of one of the nation’s pioneering cabinet-level state agencies exclusively focused on early childhood education and care. Crucially, she secured stable, long-term funding mechanisms through the Early Childhood Trust Fund and the Land Grant Permanent Fund. These strategic investments have broadened access to affordable childcare, making it free for the majority of New Mexico families. Furthermore, her administration introduced universal free Pre-Kindergarten for four-year-olds and championed increased wages for childcare professionals, recognizing their vital role in early development.
Expanding on her commitment to child welfare and education, 2023 marked a significant milestone as New Mexico became the first state nationwide to enact Universal Healthy Meals. This landmark initiative ensures that every child in New Mexico benefits from two nutritious meals each school day, free of charge, promoting student health and well-being. The Lujan Grisham administration further demonstrated its dedication to academic rigor by increasing the required instructional hours in schools statewide to 1,190 hours. Recognizing the importance of educators, Governor Lujan Grisham has also made historic strides in increasing educator salaries throughout her tenure, consistently prioritizing the quality of life for those shaping the future generations.
Governor Lujan Grisham’s dedication to bridging educational gaps and improving outcomes extends decisively into higher education. New Mexico proudly hosts the nation’s most comprehensive free college program, the Opportunity Scholarship. Since its inception in 2019, this transformative scholarship has enabled over 45,000 New Mexicans to pursue higher education at colleges and universities across the state, fostering a more educated and skilled workforce.
Beyond education, strategic investments championed by Governor Lujan Grisham in businesses, the workforce, and families have propelled historic economic growth in New Mexico. These initiatives have attracted billions of dollars in revenue by strategically expanding key sectors, including New Mexico’s thriving film industry, the newly legalized recreational cannabis market, and by attracting international technology and manufacturing partners to establish a presence in the state. Under her guidance, New Mexico has achieved record-high job numbers and the lowest unemployment rate experienced since 2007, signifying a robust and expanding economy. To further support working families, the governor expanded the Working Families Tax Credit, implemented the Child Tax Credit, and enacted the first Gross Receipts Tax cut in four decades, directly returning millions of dollars to the pockets of New Mexican residents.
As a staunch advocate for environmental stewardship and sustainable development, Governor Lujan Grisham has effectively implemented policies and investments that drive sustainability and combat climate change while simultaneously strengthening the state’s economy. In one of her initial acts as governor, she signed an executive order establishing an ambitious statewide goal of achieving a 45% reduction in net emissions by 2030, demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental responsibility. In 2019, she further solidified this commitment by signing the Energy Transition Act, setting zero-carbon resource standards for investor-owned utilities by 2045 and rural electric cooperatives by 2050. New Mexico is now recognized for its nationally leading oil and gas regulations, effectively eliminating millions of pounds of harmful emissions. The administration adopted Clean Car Rules in 2021, and in 2023, the governor announced plans to enact Advanced Clean Car Rules, further pushing for cleaner transportation options. She also established New Mexico’s first-ever climate investment center and, in a significant move in 2023, welcomed Singapore-based Maxeon Technologies to New Mexico, which is poised to construct the first U.S.-based solar-cell manufacturing facility, highlighting her commitment to renewable energy and green jobs. In 2023, she reinforced her dedication to sustainability by signing an executive order to transition to a zero-emission state vehicle fleet for New Mexico.
Governor Lujan Grisham’s leadership extends beyond New Mexico’s borders. She is an active member of the National Governors Association executive committee, a founding member of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance and serves on its executive committee, Vice-Chair of the Western Governors’ Association, co-chair elect of the United States Climate Alliance, and co-chair of the Council of Governors Emergency Management and Disaster Response Work Group. Her national influence was further underscored by her role as co-chair for the Biden-Harris transition team in 2021.
Born in Los Alamos, Governor Lujan Grisham’s deep New Mexico roots trace back twelve generations. She is a graduate of St. Michael’s High School in Santa Fe and holds undergraduate and law degrees from the University of New Mexico, underscoring her commitment to her home state. Prior to her governorship, she served as the New Mexico Secretary of Health under Governor Bill Richardson and dedicated three terms representing New Mexico’s District 1 in the U.S. House, also serving as chair of the House Hispanic Caucus.
Beyond her impactful political career, Governor Lujan Grisham is a mother of two adult children and grandmother of three. Her personal life also includes her marriage to Manuel Cordova in May 2022 and her role as owner to her beloved dogs Java, Mocha, Latte, and Salty, and cat Curry, presenting a well-rounded picture of the governor both as a public figure and a person deeply connected to her community and family. Her leadership and accomplishments mark her as a transformative figure as governor of New Mexico.
