Michelle Lujan Grisham
Former N.M. Health Secretary Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to formally announce her candidacy for District 1 Bernalillo County Commissioner later today.
The seat is currently held by Alan Armijo, but term limits prevent him from seeking re-election.
Lujan Grisham — a Democrat and a 12th generation New Mexican — campaigned in 2008 for Congress, but lost in the Democratic primary to Martin Heinrich.
She has served in the administrations of three governors, having been first appointed director of the state’s Agency on Aging by former Gov. Bruce King 1991. Former Gov. Gary Johnson retained her in that position, before current Gov. Bill Richardson elevated her her to secretary of the Department of Health — a position she has since left.
Lujan Grisham, a nationally recognized authority on aging and health care issues, has continued to work on access to health care and social services in New Mexico.
Originally from Los Alamos and Santa Fe, she is the widow of the late Greg Grisham and the granddaughter of former New Mexico Supreme Court Chief Justice Eugene Lujan. She received both her bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of New Mexico.
Lujan Grisham plans to make her announcement at at the Rio Grande Nature Center in Albuquerque at 3:30 p.m. today, according to a news release.
Democracy for New Mexico reports that Loretta Naranjo-Lopez is also running in the Democratic primary for District 1 county comissioner. She retired from her post as a city planner for the City of Albuquerque in 2003 after 25 years. She ran also ran for county commission in 2006, and served as President of AFSCME, Local 3022, in 2001.