Martin Chávez

Martin Joseph Chávez
8th Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico
In office 2001–2009
Preceded by	Jim Baca
Succeeded by	Richard J. Berry
6th Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico
In office 1993–1997
Preceded by	Louis E. Saavedra
Succeeded by	Jim Baca
Personal details
Born	(1952-03-02) March 2, 1952 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Children	Martinique Chávez Zeke Chávez
Alma mater	University of New Mexico Georgetown University

Martin Joseph Chávez (born March 2, 1952) is a two-time former Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Background and early political career

Born in in Albuquerque, New Mexico of Hispanic heritage, Chávez attended both parochial (St. Charles Borromeo and Holy Ghost) and public (Van Buren Junior High and Manzano High) schools. After graduating from Manzano High School, Chávez earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of New Mexico and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown University. He was the founding director of the Workers' Compensation Administration in 1986.

From 1989 to 1993 he served in the New Mexico State Senate.

Mayor of Albuquerque and 1998 Governor's race

In 1993 Chávez ran for mayor of Albuquerque and faced former New Mexico Governor Dave Cargo in a run-off election. Chávez won by fewer than 600 votes, the closest mayoral election in city history.

In 1997, Chávez decided not to run for re-election as mayor and instead ran for governor of New Mexico in 1998. He won the Democratic primary and faced incumbent Republican Governor Gary E. Johnson in the general election, which Chávez lost 45 percent to 55 percent.

In 2001, Chávez again ran for mayor and finished first in a seven-candidate race.

In 2005, he was the first mayor to be re-elected two consecutive terms since the creation of the strong mayoral form of government in 1974. In his third term, Albuquerque was named to Forbes magazine's list as the number-one place to do business while also receiving the Greenest City in the Nation award by the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He is Vice President of the National Conference of Democratic Mayors and is longlisted for the 2008 World Mayor award.

U.S. Senate campaign

On October 8, 2007, Chávez announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat that was being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Pete Domenici.

Fearing that Chávez' electoral weakness would lead to a Republican victory, Democratic leaders, including Senator Charles Schumer, Chairman of Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, recruited Tom Udall into the race.

Chávez initially refused to exit the race, defiantly referring to Udall as Washington's "fair-haired boy" and saying about Schumer, "the New York Senator doesn't have a vote in this election." However, Chavez finally withdrew from the race on December 7 saying, "While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election."

2009 mayoral race

In 2009, Chávez succeeded in overturning a two consecutive mayoral term limit, which he initially had gotten passed into law, and announced he would seek a third consecutive, and fourth overall, term as mayor. He ran against Republican State Representative Richard Berry and Democratic State Senator Richard Romero in a hotly contested race. Romero split the Democratic vote, and Richard J. Berry defeated Chavez 43% to 35% while Romero finished a distant third with 21%.

Mayoral Accomplishments

As Mayor, Chávez and Albuquerque received the following recognitions: First Place, Best Cities for Jobs or a Career (Forbes Magazine, March 2007); EPA Climate Protection award, First Place (2008); United States Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Award, First Place, (2007); U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Siemens Sustainability Award (2008); Fittest City in America, Men's Fitness Magazine (2008); 2nd Most Pet Friendly City (Pet Magazine); Top Ten Places To Live In The US (US News and World Report, 2009); Renewable Energy Innovator of the Year Award, Association of Energy Engineers (2008); Mayor of Trees Award, National Alliance for Community Trees (2004); and One of America's 25 most dynamic mayors (Newsweek, 1997).

2010 Executive Director of ICLEI USA

In March 2010, Chávez, was appointed Executive Director of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA. Chávez previously served on ICLEI USA’s Board of Directors and was recognized nationally as a “green mayor” during his tenure in Albuquerque. Chavez leads a staff of 52 ICLEI USA employees, based in six regional offices: Boston, Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Seattle.

External links

• Martin Chávez's campaign website
• CityMayors profile