Gov. Bill Richardson today appointed former Public Regulation Commission and state House member Lynda Lovejoy to the state Senate, making her the first American Indian woman to serve in that legislative chamber.
She replaces former Sen. Leonard Tsosie of Crownpoint as the District 22 representative. He resigned earlier this month to serve on the Navajo Nation Council.
“Lynda Lovejoy’s career has been marked by a strong commitment to her constituents in northwestern New Mexico,” Richardson said in a news release. “In her more than 15-year public service career, she has exhibited the leadership and judgment to make an excellent senator. She is an example for Native American women – and all New Mexicans – throughout the state.”
Lovejoy is a graduate of Northern Arizona University and is currently working on a master’s in business administration at New Mexico Highlands University. From 1999 to 2006, Lovejoy served as the District 4 commissioner on the PRC. She was a member of the House from 1989 to 1998.
District 22 includes portions of McKinley, Rio Arriba, Bernalillo, Cibola and Sandoval counties. When legislative vacancies arise in multi-county districts, each county commission makes a replacement recommendation to the governor, who has final appointment authority. Lovejoy was nominated for the seat by the Bernalillo County Commission.
Gov. Bill Richardson today appointed former Public Regulation Commission and state House member Lynda Lovejoy to the state Senate, making her the first American Indian woman to serve in that legislative chamber.