William O'Neill (New Mexico)

William O'Neill

Democratic Party

Prior offices

New Mexico House of Representatives District 15

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New Mexico State Senate District 13

Successor: Debbie O'Malley

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Elections and appointments

Last election

June 4, 2024

Personal

Profession

Director, PEP program

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Personal website

William O'Neill (Democratic Party) was a member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 13. He assumed office in 2013. He left office on December 31, 2024.

O'Neill (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the New Mexico State Senate to represent District 13. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 4, 2024.

O'Neil passed away on March 31, 2025.

Biography

Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of updates to this biography.

O'Neill's professional experience includes working as a development director for the PEP program at the New Mexico Conference of Churches and on the Juvenile Parole Board.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

O'Neill was assigned to the following committees:

• Indian, Rural & Cultural Affairs Committee, Vice Chair
• Senate Judiciary Committee

2021-2022

O'Neill was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Judiciary Committee, Vice chair
• Rules Committee

2019-2020

O'Neill was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Judiciary Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

New Mexico committee assignments, 2017
• Education
• Public Affairs, Vice chair

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, O'Neill served on the following committees:

New Mexico committee assignments, 2015
• Education
• Public Affairs, Vice chair

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, O'Neill served on the following committees:

New Mexico committee assignments, 2013
• Education
• Public Affairs, Vice chair

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, O'Neill served on the following committees:

New Mexico committee assignments, 2011
• Consumer and Public Affairs
• Judiciary

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, O'Neill served on the following committees:

New Mexico committee assignments, 2009
• Consumer and Public Affairs
• Enrolling and Engrossing - B
• Judiciary

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2024

See also: New Mexico State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for New Mexico State Senate District 13

Debbie O'Malley won election in the general election for New Mexico State Senate District 13 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Debbie O'Malley (D)	100.0	14,921

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,921
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13

Debbie O'Malley defeated incumbent William O'Neill in the Democratic primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13 on June 4, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Debbie O'Malley	52.0	2,300
		William O'Neill	48.0	2,127

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,427
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

O'Neill received the following endorsements.

• State Sen. Katy Duhigg (D)
• State Sen. Brenda McKenna (D)
• State Sen. Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D)
• State Sen. Mimi Stewart (D)
• State Sen. Bill Tallman (D)
• State Rep. Janelle Anyanonu (D)
• State Rep. Natalie Figueroa (D)
• State Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil (D)
• State Rep. Derrick Lente (D)
• State Rep. G. Andres Romero (D)

2020

See also: New Mexico State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for New Mexico State Senate District 13

Incumbent William O'Neill defeated Michaela Chavez and Frederick Snoy II in the general election for New Mexico State Senate District 13 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		William O'Neill (D)	62.7	15,655
		Michaela Chavez (R)	33.9	8,464
	Submit photo	Frederick Snoy II (L)	3.3	831

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,950
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13

Incumbent William O'Neill advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		William O'Neill	100.0	7,685

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 7,685
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13

Michaela Chavez advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Michaela Chavez	100.0	2,591

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,591
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian primary election

Libertarian primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13

Frederick Snoy II advanced from the Libertarian primary for New Mexico State Senate District 13 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Frederick Snoy II	100.0	34

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 34
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: New Mexico State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the New Mexico State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 7, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 8, 2016.

Incumbent William O'Neill defeated A. Blair Dunn in the New Mexico State Senate District 13 general election.

New Mexico State Senate District 13, General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	William O'Neill Incumbent	65.89%	14,089
	Republican	A. Blair Dunn	34.11%	7,294
Total Votes				21,383
Source: New Mexico Secretary of State

Incumbent William O'Neill ran unopposed in the New Mexico State Senate District 13 Democratic primary.

New Mexico State Senate District 13, Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	William O'Neill Incumbent (unopposed)

A. Blair Dunn ran unopposed in the New Mexico State Senate District 13 Republican primary.

New Mexico State Senate District 13, Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	A. Blair Dunn  (unopposed)

2012

See also: New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2012 and New Mexico State Senate elections, 2012

O'Neill did not run for re-election to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2012. Instead, he ran for election to the seat occupied by retiring Senator Dede Feldman (D) in the state Senate.

O'Neill defeated Carlos S. Cordova, Chris S. Catechis, and Laura Sanchez in the Democratic primary from state Senate District 13 on June 5, 2012. He was unchallenged in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

New Mexico State Senate, District 13, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	William O'Neill Incumbent	100%	15,516
Total Votes				15,516

New Mexico State Senate, District 13 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
William O'Neill	53%	2,620
Carlos S. Cordoza	27.5%	1,362
Chris S. Catechis	19.5%	963
Total Votes		4,945

2010

See also: New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2010

O'Neill won re-election to New Mexico House of Representatives District 15 in 2010. He had no primary opposition and defeated Justin Horwitz (R) in the general election on November 2, 2010.

New Mexico House of Representatives General Election, District 15 (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
William O'Neil (D)		5,535	50.70%
Justin Horwitz (R)		5,372	49.30%

2008

See also: New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2008

On November 4, 2008, O'Neill was elected to District 15 in the New Mexico House of Representatives, defeating Teresa Zanetti (R).

New Mexico House of Representatives, District 15 (2008)
Candidates		Votes
William O'Neill (D)		7,532
Teresa Zanetti (R)		6,929

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

William O'Neill did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

William O'Neill did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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William O'Neill campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	New Mexico State Senate District 13	Lost primary	$113,240	$128,741
2020	New Mexico State Senate District 13	Won general	$47,175	N/A**
2016	New Mexico State Senate, District 13	Won	$79,278	N/A**
2012	New Mexico State Senate, District 13	Won	$46,598	N/A**
2010	New Mexico State House, District 10	Won	$169,601	N/A**
2008	New Mexico State House, District 15	Won	$95,780	N/A**
2004	New Mexico State House, District 15	Lost	$84,065	N/A**
2002	New Mexico State House, District 15	Lost	$10,498	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in New Mexico

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of New Mexico scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2024

In 2024, the New Mexico State Legislature was in session from January 16 to February 15. A special session was held on July 18, 2024.

• Animal Protection Voters

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare.

• Conservation Voters New Mexico

Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues.

• National Federation of Independent Busines

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.

• Rio Grande Foundation

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues.

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].

In 2023, the New Mexico State Legislature was in session from January 17 to March 18. Animal Protection Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].

In 2022, the New Mexico State Legislature was in session from January 18 to February 17. Animal Protection Voters: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the New Mexico State Legislature was in session from January 19 to March 20. Animal Protection Voters Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the New Mexico State Legislature was in session from January 21 to February 20. Animal Protection Voters: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. National Federation of Independent Business Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].

In 2019, the New Mexico State Legislature was in session from January 15 through March 16. Animal Protection Voters: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare. Common Cause New Mexico Legislators are scored on their votes on bill supported or opposed by the organization. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].

In 2018, the 53rd New Mexico State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 16 through February 15. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the 53rd New Mexico State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 17 through March 18, 2018. Animal Protection Voters: Senate and House Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to animal welfare. Association of Commerce and Industry of New Mexico Legislators are scored on their votes on economic issues. Common Cause New Mexico Legislators are scored on their votes on bill supported or opposed by the organization. Conservation Voters New Mexico Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
Conservation Voters New Mexico: 2015-2016 Scorecard Legislators are scored on environmental and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2016 Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the 52nd New Mexico State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 20 through March 21. Conservation Voters New Mexico: 2015-2016 Scorecard Legislators are scored on environment and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2015 Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the 51st New Mexico State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 21 through February 20. Conservation Voters New Mexico: 2013-2014 Conservation Scorecard Legislators are scored on environment and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2014 Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the 51st New Mexico State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 15 to March 16. Conservation Voters New Mexico: 2013-2014 Conservation Scorecard Legislators are scored on environment and conservation issues. Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2013 - Northern New Mexico Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2013 - Southern New Mexico Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2013 - Eastern New Mexico Rio Grande Foundation: NM Freedom Index 2013 - Western New Mexico Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to economic issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].
In 2012, the 50th New Mexico State Legislature, second session, was in session from January 17 through February 16. Animal Protection Voters: 2012 Legislative scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to the state’s wildlife and domesticated animals.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].
In 2011, the 50th New Mexico State Legislature, first session, was in session from January 18 through March 19. Animal Protection Voters: 2011 Legislative scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on bills relating to the state’s wildlife and domesticated animals.

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Candidate

New Mexico State Senate District 13

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	New Mexico State Senate District 13 2013-2024	Succeeded by Debbie O'Malley (D)
Preceded by -	New Mexico House of Representatives District 15 2009-2012	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the New Mexico State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Peter Wirth

Minority Leader:William Sharer

Senators

District 1

William Sharer (R)

District 2

Steve Lanier (R)

District 3

Shannon Pinto (D)

District 4

George Munoz (D)

District 5

Leo Jaramillo (D)

District 6

Roberto Gonzales (D)

District 7

Pat Woods (R)

District 8

Pete Campos (D)

District 9

Cindy Nava (D)

District 10

Katy Duhigg (D)

District 11

Linda Lopez (D)

District 12

Jay Block (R)

District 13

Debbie O'Malley (D)

District 14

Michael Padilla (D)

District 15

Heather Berghmans (D)

District 16

Antoinette Lopez (D)

District 17

Mimi Stewart (D)

District 18

Natalie Figueroa (D)

District 19

Anthony Thornton (R)

District 20

Martin Hickey (D)

District 21

Nicole Tobiassen (R)

District 22

Benny Shendo (D)

District 23

Harold Pope (D)

District 24

Linda Trujillo (D)

District 25

Peter Wirth (D)

District 26

Antonio Maestas (D)

District 27

Patrick Boone (R)

District 28

Gabriel Ramos (R)

District 29

Joshua Sanchez (R)

District 30

Angel Charley (D)

District 31

Joseph Cervantes (D)

District 32

Candy Ezzell (R)

District 33

Nicholas Paul (R)

District 34

James Townsend (R)

District 35

Crystal Diamond Brantley (R)

District 36

Jeff Steinborn (D)

District 37

William Soules (D)

District 38

Carrie Hamblen (D)

District 39

Liz Stefanics (D)

District 40

Craig Brandt (R)

District 41

David Gallegos (R)

District 42

Larry Scott (R)

Democratic Party (26)

Republican Party (16)