American politician
Theresa Becenti‐Aguilar is an American politician serving as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission from the 4th district, which includes all of Cibola , McKinley and San Juan Counties and parts of Bernalillo , Rio Arriba , Sandoval , Santa Fe , and Socorro Counties .
Early life and education
Born and raised in Coyote Canyon on the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation , Becenti-Aguilar earned an accounting certificate from Santa Fe Business College and a paralegal certificate from Santa Fe Community College . In addition, she is a New Mexico Certified Advocate in Public Ethics, earned through New Mexico State University 's Cooperative Extension Service.[ 1] [ 2]
Career
Becenti-Aguilar interned with the Bureau of Land Management before working for Tom Udall , first during his tenure as attorney general of New Mexico , then in the United States House of Representatives as a constituent services representative for tribal relations. In November 2006, she was hired as Native American liaison to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, the first to hold the position.[ 3]
In June 2010, Becenti-Aguilar won the Democratic nomination for public regulation commissioner from the 4th district, defeating three other candidates, with 36%.[ 4] When incumbent Commissioner Carol Sloan was removed from office by the New Mexico Supreme Court following felony convictions for battery and burglary, Governor Bill Richardson appointed Becenti-Aguilar to the seat and was subsequently elected in November with 55%.[ 5] [ 6]
Becenti-Aguilar lost renomination in 2014 to former commissioner and State Senator Lynda Lovejoy 46-32%, with a third candidate taking 22%.[ 7] Becenti-Aguilar ran again in 2018, narrowly defeating Lovejoy and Janene Yazzie, 35-33-32%.[ 8] [ 9] She subsequently won the general election unopposed.
References
^ Dotson, Bernie (March 9, 2018). "Becenti-Aguilar running for PRC seat" . Gallup Sun . Retrieved January 4, 2019 .
^ Theresa Becenti‐Aguilar PRC District 4 Candidate – New Mexico Utility Shareholders Alliance. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
^ Commissioner Theresa Becenti-Aguilar - District 4 – New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
^ "NM Public Regulation Commissioner 04 - D Primary - June 1, 2010" . Our Campaigns. Retrieved January 2, 2019 .
^ "New PRC Member To Be Sworn in Tuesday" . Albuquerque Journal . Associated Press. July 5, 2010. Retrieved January 2, 2019 .
^ "NM Public Regulation Commissioner 04 - November 2, 2010" . Our Campaigns. Retrieved January 2, 2019 .
^ "NM Public Regulation Commissioner 04 - D Primary - June 3, 2014" . Our Campaigns. Retrieved January 2, 2019 .
^ Moses, John (June 6, 2018). "Becenti-Aguilar wins PRC District 4 primary election" . Farmington Daily News . Retrieved January 2, 2019 .
^ OFFICIAL RESULTS 2018 PRIMARY - June 5, 2018 - Public Regulation Commissioner - DISTRICT 4 - Democratic New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
External links