Teresa Leger Fernandez

Teresa Leger Fernandez is an American attorney and politician. In the June 2, 2020 primary, Leger Fernandez became the Democratic nominee for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district in the 2020 elections.[2][3]

For for the Spanish archer, see Teresa Fernández.

Teresa Leger Fernandez
Personal details
Born
Teresa Leger

1959/1960 (age 60–61)[1]
Las Vegas, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children3
RelativesRay Leger (father)
EducationYale University (BA)
Stanford University (JD)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Leger Fernandez was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico.[4] Her mother was a bilingual educator and her father, Ray Leger, served as a member of the New Mexico Senate.[5] After graduating from West Las Vegas High School, Leger Fernandez earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.[6]

Career

After graduating from law school, Leger Fernandez returned to New Mexico to work as an attorney, specializing in community-building and tribal advocacy. Leger Fernandez was a White House Fellow during the Clinton Administration and later served on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation during the Obama Administration.[7][8] She also worked as a liaison between the White House Office and United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. For 30 years, Leger Fernandez has operated Leger Law and Strategy, LLC in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The firm focuses on community development, tribal advocacy, civil rights, and social justice.[9][10] In 2017, Leger Fernandez led a successful effort to implement ranked-choice voting in Santa Fe municipal elections.[11]

2020 U.S. House election

After incumbent Representative Ben Ray Luján announced that he would not seek re-election in 2020 and run for Tom Udall's seat in the United States Senate, Leger Fernandez announced her candidacy to succeed him. In the Democratic primary, Leger Fernandez faced six opponents, including New Mexico State Representative Joseph L. Sanchez and Valerie Plame, an author and former CIA officer.[12] During the primary, Leger Fernandez was criticized for attack ads against Plame, including one that featured swastikas superimposed over Plame's eyes, a reference to Plame's past comments that were perceived as anti-Semitic.[13] Legar Fernandez later denied any involvement with the ads.[14] Leger Fernandez was also criticized for her campaign's use of funds donated by so-called "dark money" groups that do not disclose their donors.[15] In response, Leger Fernandez denounced "dark money" groups and pledged support for campaign finance reform.[16] During the campaign, Leger Fernandez was endorsed by Congresswoman Deb Haaland, EMILY's List, and The Santa Fe New Mexican.[17][18]

A political progressive, Leger was also endorsed by the Working Families Party, Elizabeth Warren, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[19] Leger Fernandez placed first in a field of seven candidates with over 42% of the vote.[20] Leger Fernandez will face environmental engineer Alexis Johnson in the November general election.[21]

Political positions

Leger Fernandez has advocated for a "New Mexico Green New Deal," Medicare For All, a transition away from fracking to green energy, and a ban on the sale of military style semi-automatic rifles.[22] She has also supported comprehensive immigration reform and the passing of the DREAM Act.[23]

Personal life

Leger Fernandez and her husband, Luis Fernandez, have three sons.[24] Leger Fernandez and her husband have since divorced.

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References
  1. Grover, Hannah (July 20, 2019). "Election 2020: Teresa Leger Fernandez Hopes to Represent Congressional District 3". Farmington Daily Times. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. "New Mexico Primary Election Results: Third Congressional District". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. Medina, Jennifer (June 3, 2020). "Teresa Leger Fernandez Beats Valerie Plame in New Mexico House Primary". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. Reporter, Megan Bennett | Journal North. "Santa Fe lawyer kicks off campaign for Congress". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  5. Grover, Hannah. "Election 2020: Teresa Leger Fernandez hopes to represent Congressional District 3". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved July 18, 2020.
  6. mgerstein@sfnewmexican.com, Michael Gerstein. "Leger Fernandez wins Democratic primary for 3rd Congressional District seat". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  7. Grover, Hannah. "Election 2020: Teresa Leger Fernandez hopes to represent Congressional District 3". Farmington Daily Times. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  8. "MEET TERESA". Teresa 4 All. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. "Birth Date", Definitions, Qeios, February 7, 2020, retrieved June 3, 2020
  10. "Teresa Leger de Fernandez, Rebellious Lawyer". Rebellious Lawyering Institute #RebelliousLawyering. January 7, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. Editor, T. S. Last | Journal North. "Democratic nominee in CD3 inspired by state senator father". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved June 9, 2020.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  12. "Santa Fe lawyer Leger Fernandez running for Congress". AP NEWS. May 16, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  13. mgerstein@sfnewmexican.com, Michael Gerstein. "Candidates jab Leger Fernandez over ad attacking Plame". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  14. "Fernandez defeats Valerie Plame in New Mexico House primary". Star Tribune. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  15. "'Dark money' groups back CD3 hopeful in packed N.M. primary". The Taos News. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  16. mgerstein@sfnewmexican.com, Michael Gerstein. "Candidates criticize 'dark money' spending on behalf of Leger Fernandez". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  17. Panetta, Grace. "LIVE UPDATES: Valerie Plame and Teresa Leger Fernandez compete in the primary for New Mexico's third district". Business Insider. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  18. "Endorsements". Teresa 4 All. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  19. Blaber, Mona (January 23, 2020). "Sierra Club endorses Teresa Leger Fernandez for U.S. House". Rio Grande Chapter. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  20. mgerstein@sfnewmexican.com, Michael Gerstein. "With clear primary victory, Leger Fernandez eyes November". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  21. Grover, Hannah. "Leger Fernandez wins Democratic nomination for CD3, Johnson leads in Republican primary". Farmington Daily Times. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
  22. "Editorial: Our picks for president, Congress". The Taos News. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  23. Candidate, The. "Q&A: U.S. House District 3 Teresa Leger Fernandez". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  24. "Teresa Leger Fernandez For NM US Congress In District Three". Retake Our Democracy. May 23, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
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