Politically active law student may run for Congress

A politically active University of New Mexico School of Law student is adding his name to the list of people considering running for the Third Congressional District seat being vacated by Tom Udall.

William Consuegra is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy, whose membership includes political figures from around the world, and was nominated by Gov. Bill Richardson and former UNM President Louis Caldera to the prestigious Council on Foreign Relations in New York. He’s also a member of the New Mexico Commission on Public Broadcasting, having been nominated to that position by Richardson.

“I have been in conversations with my wife regarding a possible run, and I will make a decision over the holidays after discussing it further with my extended family (my parents and my in-laws) as well as with some friends who know a bit more about New Mexico politics than I do,” Consuegra said today.

Consuegra’s wife, Mikelynn Romero, is from Velarde and is a niece of the president of Qwest-New Mexico, Loretta Armenta. Romero used to work for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee in Washington, and Consuegra travels to Washington every year to work with the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Consuegra moved to New Mexico in 2005 to attend law school, and is in his third year. He said New Mexico has “become my home,” and he and his wife own property in Rio Arriba County.

“I believe that New Mexico is at a tipping point – about to break through and become the most innovative state in the country in various industries,” he said. “I am excited about the developments I have seen in environmental initiatives, renewable energy, planned communities, transportation and communication and, as Richard Florida pointed out in his book ‘Rise of the Creative Class,’ the continued emergence of the creative class in New Mexico. But we need the right leadership at this crucial time to ensure that New Mexico takes that next step.”

Consuegra said he’s also concerned about “the future of the state’s youngest region,” and said Velarde “has been a focal point of some fierce battles between community groups and mining companies.” He said tourism, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the San Juan/Chama River drinking project, poverty, education and growth are among concerns of residents in the congressional district, “and I believe that, through a shared vision, northern New Mexico can continue being the most beautiful part of the state while embracing innovation and growth and an increase in the economy through entrepreneurship, education and technology.”

“We need to work as a state to make sure every student receives the best education possible, graduates from high school and finds an opportunity for education or vocational training to meet the future labor needs of the state,” Consuegra said.