Richard Lucero
American politician (1935–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Richard L. Lucero (March 16, 1935 – January 22, 2024) was an American businessman and politician in New Mexico, who was the longest-serving mayor of Española, serving on and off for a total of 22 years.[1]
Richard Lucero | |
|---|---|
| Mayor of Española, New Mexico | |
| In office 1968–1974 | |
| Preceded by | Epimenio Vigil |
| Succeeded by | Santiago Martinez |
| In office 1986–1994 | |
| Preceded by | Consuelo S. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Ross Chavez |
| In office 1998–2006 | |
| Preceded by | Ross Chavez |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Maestas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 16, 1935 Española, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Died | January 22, 2024 (aged 88) Española, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Profession | Businessman |
Lucero is the owner of Country Farm Supply, a store on Española's Riverside Drive, that his family have owned since the 1970s.[1] In 2004, he founded Española Military Academy, based on a similar school in Oakland, California, with the vision of improving academic achievement through the use military discipline. In 2008, the Academy underwent a funding crisis as State officials sought to withdraw funding based on students' performance and radical teaching methods.[3]
The Richard L. Lucero Center, Española's Public Library and Recreational Swim and Athletic Center, was named in his honor[2] during his administration.
In 2019, Richard L. Lucero was accused in two separate legal actions of having sexually abused boys in relation to his role as a Scoutmaster and Explorers troop leader in Española during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.[4][5]
Lucero died from a heart attack in Española, on January 22, 2024, at the age of 88.[6][7]
