Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.)
U.S. Representative (since January 2009)
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Heinrich's 2008 election to represent New Mexico's 1st district made him the seat's first Democratic representative in 40 years. He succeeded retiring Rep. Heather Wilson (R).
Following his win, the other Democratic frosh elected Heinrich "class president," a six-month position in which he would work with House Democratic leaders to advance the new members' priorities. He was also selected as a Democratic regional minority whip for New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.
Heinrich was born in Fallon, Nev., but spent much of his childhood in Missouri, where his father worked as an electrical lineman and his mother was a factory worker.
He graduated from the University of Missouri in 1995 with a bachelor's in engineering and then moved to New Mexico, where he volunteered with Americorps and then founded a consulting firm that served non-profit groups and educators.
Heinrich's 2008 campaign highlighted his opposition to the Iraq war and his hopes to roll back the Bush-era tax cuts, create jobs, enact measured tax relief for middle-class families and advance U.S. energy independence. Heinrich voted with his Democratic colleagues 96.8 percent of the time in the 111th Congress.
The Environment
A member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, Heinrich co-sponsored a September 2009 comprehensive roadmap authored by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Arizona) for joint government-business research, development, and marketing of solar energy. The bill passed the House 310 to 106.
Heinrich is a member of the New Democrat Coalition, composed of centrist House Democrats. He serves on its Innovation and Competitiveness Task Force, which Reps. Ron Kind (D-Wis.) and Rush Holt (D-N.J.) co-chair.
He finds common ground with Republicans on some issues. In 2009, he's been working with Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) on a new missile-defense bill.
- Kurtz, Josh, "New Mexico: Pearce Will Seek to Regain Old Seat in 2010," Roll Call, July 7, 2009.
- Participatory Politics Foundation and Sunlight Foundation, "H.R. 3585," Open Congress, 2009.
- Washington Post, "Members of Congress/Martin Heinrich," U.S. Congress Votes Database, 2009.
- Participatory Politics Foundation and Sunlight Foundation, "Rep. Martin Heinrich," Open Congress, 2009.
- Washington Post, "House voting with party scores," Congressional votes database, 2009.
- Martin Heinrich staff, "Biography," Martin Heinrich, 2009.
- State Results, Election Center 2010, CNN
- Martin Heinrich staff, "Heinrich Votes to Pass Historic Legislation for Affordable Health Care and Security for New Mexicans," Martin Heinrich, November 8, 2009.
- Childress, Marjorie, "Heinrich voices support of public option at health-care 'town hall'," New Mexico Independent, July 30, 2009.
- Heinrich, Martin, speech, "Thinking of the Next Generation," October 26, 2008.
- Center for Media and Democracy, "Martin Heinrich," Sourcewatch, 2009.
- New Democrat Coalition staff, "Members," New Democrat Coalition, 2009.
- Center for Responsive Politics, "Martin Heinrich," Open Secrets, 2009.
- Bendery, Jennifer, "Heinrich Tapped to Lead Democratic Freshmen," Roll Call, January 14, 2009.
- Isenstadt, Alex, "Freshmen reach across aisle," Politico, April 14, 2009.
- Rothenberg, Stuart, "A Crop of House Candidates Worth Taking a Look At," Roll Call, March 31, 2008.
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