About Hector Balderas
Hector Balderas
New Mexico State Auditor Hector Balderas
Hector Balderas represents a new generation of leaders who are devoted to public service and are driving the country forward with new innovation and a fresh perspective on governing. His primary focus is bringing fiscal accountability to government statewide while making the office of the State Auditor more accessible to the public.
At the age of 33, Balderas sent shock waves through the political establishment when he was elected New Mexico State Auditor in November 2006. His election marked a milestone for both New Mexico and the nation, as Balderas became the youngest Hispanic statewide elected official in the country.
As New Mexico’s State Auditor, Balderas provides regulatory oversight to over $60 billion dollars in governmental assets and 603 government entities. As the state’s top government watchdog, Balderas has spent his first year in office aggressively combating fraud and abuse throughout New Mexico. Additionally, he has expanded the size and scope of the State Auditor’s office by hiring criminal investigators, developing a fraud hotline and expanding training and outreach operations. In 2007, Balderas was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business magazine.
Balderas was raised in Wagon Mound, New Mexico, a village of 310 residents, and with one of the lowest per capita incomes in the nation. He is the son of a foreign born immigrant from Mexico and a mother who herself was also raised in Wagon Mound. Growing up with both rural and international roots grounded Balderas with a deep respect for people, an upbringing he has carried with him throughout his career. Balderas graduated from New Mexico Highlands University and earned his law degree in 2001 from the University of New Mexico. He was the first person in his family to earn a college degree, as well as the first person in Wagon Mound history to become an attorney.
After working his way through law school, Balderas decided against pursuing a career in the private sector and instead chose to follow his passion for public service. He accepted a job as an assistant district attorney in Albuquerque, earning a reputation as a fierce advocate for protecting and balancing the many diverse interests within the justice system. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Balderas prosecuted over 1,100 criminal cases involving DUI and domestic violence. Thereafter, he opened his own solo law practice specializing in criminal and civil law.
In December 2003, a restless Balderas moved back to his hometown of Wagon Mound with his wife and three young children to give back to the his community. At the age of 29, and with no prior political experience, he ran for a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Balderas defeated the heavily favored incumbent in the Democratic primary by a two-to-one margin and ultimately prevailed over his Republican opponent in the general election.
In his first term as a Representative, he passed sweeping legislation to strengthen penalties for sexual predators, established investment incentives for clean energy and funded virtual education for rural public schools. Balderas also sponsored “truthful interrogations” legislation which gained national recognition as one of the most significant reforms to the criminal justice system. In recognition of his legislative accomplishments, Balderas was named Rookie-Leader-of-the-Year by the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce and Outstanding Rookie by the League of Conservation Voters.
During his second legislative term, Balderas led the effort to amend the New Mexico Criminal Code to reflect consistency and parity in sentencing, advocated for DUI reform and led the fight to protect consumers from price gouging in a time of disaster. He was named Outstanding Young Lawyer of New Mexico by the NM State Bar Association.
Before Balderas would complete his first term as a legislator, he would enter and win his first statewide race becoming the youngest State Auditor in the nation.
Balderas recently traveled to Pakistan as a delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders, and he was one of only six delegates selected nationally to participate in the envoy. While there, Balderas met with the Foreign Minister and leaders from all political parties to discuss developing better international relations and cooperation. He has also hosted leadership delegations from China, Czech Republic, and several African nations to promote transparency and accountability in government.
