Diverse Interests are the Trademark of New Mexico Policymaker

State Senator Pete Campos of New Mexico (Flemming Fellow `94) represents 10,500 square miles, four counties and 42,000 people. To effectively represent his constituents in such a large area, Campos believes it is important for him to have a diverse set of interests and be involved in a broad set of issues.

As a former teacher and current school administrator, four of Campos’s bills in the 1999 session forwarded his two education priorities: providing good programs and materials for the classroom and paying teachers well.

Most of his proposed education legislation had been incorporated into the $3.3 billion budget bill that was vetoed by the governor in early April. New Mexico’s legislature will hold a special session in May to work on the budget and education issues, including vouchers.

Public education has to take precedence in the education debate, says Campos. "First and foremost let’s take care of public education before we address other details like vouchers," he says.

In the 1999 regular session, Campos also successfully advocated for lower electricity rates in his rural district.

While serving his term as state senator, Campos is still very active as a citizen in his community and believes it is important to be a positive role model for kids in his community. He is a former teacher and was the mayor of Santa Rosa, New Mexico. Currently, he is an associate superintendent in Las Vegas, New Mexico, and is continuing his own education with a doctoral program in education administration.

"Being involved in community service means being a positive role model," says Campos.