Laura Montoya (politician)
American politician
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laura M. Montoya (born 1977/1978)[1] is an American politician from New Mexico. A member of the Democratic Party, she is the New Mexico State Treasurer.
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Laura Montoya | |
|---|---|
Montoya in 2025 | |
| 31st Treasurer of New Mexico | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
| Governor | Michelle Lujan Grisham |
| Preceded by | Tim Eichenberg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1977 or 1978 (age 48–49) Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Education | New Mexico Highlands University (BA, MPA) |
Early life and career
Montoya was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico. She lived in both San Miguel and Mora counties while growing up.[2]
Montoya earned a bachelor's degree in political science and psychology from New Mexico Highlands University.[3] She began working in government for state Senator Pete Campos and then worked for U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman as a constituent services representative. Meanwhile, she earned a Master of Public Affairs from New Mexico Highlands University.[2]
Political career
In 2012, Montoya was elected as the treasurer for Sandoval County, New Mexico. She was reelected in 2016.[4] In July 2019, Montoya entered the 2020 elections for the United States House of Representatives for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district.[5] She lost the Democratic Party nomination to Teresa Leger Fernandez.[6]
In August 2021, with New Mexico State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg prevented from running for a third term due to term limits, Montoya announced her candidacy to succeed him in the 2022 election.[7] She faced Heather Benavidez, Eichenberg's chief of staff, in the Democratic primary election.[2][8] Montoya won the nomination and faced Harry Montoya, a county commissioner from Santa Fe County and the Republican Party nominee, in the general election.[9][10] She won the election with 53 percent of the vote.[11]
Personal life
Montoya lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.[3] In March 2014, she was charged with aggravated battery after allegedly punching and biting her ex-boyfriend that February. She claimed that she acted in self-defense.[12] The case was dismissed in June when her ex-boyfriend did not attend court.[13]