Laura Montoya

Laura Montoya

Democratic Party

New Mexico Treasurer

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Predecessor

Tim Eichenberg

Compensation

Base salary

$144,714

Elections and appointments

Last elected

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

New Mexico Highlands University, 1999

Personal

Birthplace

Las Vegas, N.M.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Government administrator

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official Twitter

Official Instagram

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

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Laura Montoya (Democratic Party) is the New Mexico Treasurer. She assumed office on January 1, 2023. Her current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Montoya (Democratic Party) ran for election for New Mexico Treasurer. She won in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Montoya was elected the treasurer for Sandoval County, New Mexico, in 2012, re-elected in 2016, and held the post until the end of 2022.

Biography

In addition to her role as Treasurer, Montoya has worked on the staffs of three New Mexico political officials. Beginning in 2001, she worked for New Mexico state Sen. Pete Campos (D). She later worked as an executive assistant for former New Mexico Treasurer Douglas M. Brown, and as a constituent services representative for the office of former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D) of New Mexico. She has been the legislative chair of the New Mexico Treasurer's Affiliate, an executive board member of the New Mexico Association of Counties, the vice chair of finance, pensions, & intergovernmental affairs of the National Association of Counties, and a member of the New Mexico Tax Policy Committee.

Laura Montoya grew up in San Miguel and Mora counties in New Mexico, and was born in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Montoya graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in political science and psychology. In 2001, she received her master's degree in public affairs from the same university. She was a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar and studied International Relations at the University of Costa Rica in 2003. Montoya has been the treasurer for Mentoring Kids Works New Mexico. She lives in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.

Elections

2022

See also: New Mexico Treasurer election, 2022

General election

General election for New Mexico Treasurer

Laura Montoya defeated Harry Montoya in the general election for New Mexico Treasurer on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laura Montoya (D)	53.1	370,089
		Harry Montoya (R)	46.9	326,224

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 696,313
= 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 Treasurer

Laura Montoya defeated Heather Benavidez in the Democratic primary for New Mexico Treasurer on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Laura Montoya	58.7	75,538
	Submit photo	Heather Benavidez	41.3	53,148

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 128,686
= 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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Republican primary election

Republican primary for New Mexico Treasurer

Harry Montoya advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Treasurer on June 7, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Harry Montoya	100.0	91,766

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 91,766
= 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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2020

See also: New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020

New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020 (June 2 Democratic primary)

New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District election, 2020 (June 2 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House New Mexico District 3

Teresa Leger Fernandez defeated Alexis Martinez Johnson in the general election for U.S. House New Mexico District 3 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Teresa Leger Fernandez (D)	58.7	186,282
		Alexis Martinez Johnson (R)	41.3	131,166

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 317,448
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New Mexico District 3

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New Mexico District 3 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Teresa Leger Fernandez	42.8	44,480
		Valerie Plame	24.8	25,775
		Joseph Sanchez	11.8	12,292
		Marco Serna	8.0	8,292
		Laura Montoya	6.1	6,380
		John Blair	4.4	4,533
		Kyle Tisdel	2.1	2,176

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 103,928
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Mark McDonald (D)
• Dineh Benally (D)
• Gavin Kaiser (D)
• Rob Apodaca (D)
• Jaymeson Pegue (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New Mexico District 3

Alexis Martinez Johnson defeated Harry Montoya, Karen Bedonie, and Angela Gale Morales in the Republican primary for U.S. House New Mexico District 3 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Alexis Martinez Johnson	36.7	16,512
		Harry Montoya	35.4	15,919
		Karen Bedonie	27.8	12,477
		Angela Gale Morales (Write-in)	0.1	30

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,938
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Audra Brown (R)
• Ben Bateman (R)
• Anastacia Golden Morper (R)

Candidate profile

Laura Montoya

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Sandoval County Treasurer (Assumed office: 2013)

Submitted Biography:  "Montoya was born, raised and educated in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Laura Montoya was elected Sandoval County Treasurer in 2012. She has been a public servant for more than 17 years, having worked in several capacities at the federal, state and local level including both the New Mexico House of Representatives and the New Mexico Senate. Laura earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Psychology from New Mexico Highlands University and later earned a Master's degree in Public Affairs. Laura was a Rotary Scholar and studied Spanish and International Relations at the University of Costa Rica while doing several humanitarian projects."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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I promote and create policies that are fair and equitable for all people.

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Protection of our water, air, and land is critical to sustainability of a healthy life and taking care of our environment.

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When some of us are unhealthy, none of us are healthy.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House New Mexico District 3 in 2020.

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Laura Montoya did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 14, 2020

Laura Montoya completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Montoya's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Montoya was born, raised and educated in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Laura Montoya was elected Sandoval County Treasurer in 2012. She has been a public servant for more than 17 years, having worked in several capacities at the federal, state and local level including both the New Mexico House of Representatives and the New Mexico Senate. Laura earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Psychology from New Mexico Highlands University and later earned a Master's degree in Public Affairs. Laura was a Rotary Scholar and studied Spanish and International Relations at the University of Costa Rica while doing several humanitarian projects.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I promote and create policies that are fair and equitable for all people.
• Protection of our water, air, and land is critical to sustainability of a healthy life and taking care of our environment.
• When some of us are unhealthy, none of us are healthy.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. Water - everyone should have clean, running water

2. Broadband - all communities should have access to affordable and efficient broadband
3. Healthcare - affordable, accessible and efficient health care access is critical to healthy communities.

4. Tax Reform - In order to have water, broadband, healthcare, or any other important changes to policy completed, we have to reform the tax structure to pay for it.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to mom, Geralyn B. Montoya. She created Supreme Court State Law that allows women the right and choice to have a career, a family or both. An employer can not remove or demote you because you are pregnant, nor can they fire you because you are pregnant or require you to go to work the next day.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe it is important for elected officials to listen with the intent to understand. I believe it is important to do your research, visit your constituents to learn of issues and find solutions, bring people together from all sides of the issue to come up with a better solution, consider the implications of any policy you put forth and always double check that you are aligning your focus and work toward the overall goal or policy you are trying to accomplish.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave this world a better place with more fairness and more equality for all people. I would like to make a difference in other young peoples' lives that they can accomplish anything they want to do or be if they work hard and stay determined.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

At the age of 14, I started leaning houses and taking care of children until I was legally old enough to work at a grocery store. I started as a bagger, got promoted to a cashier and then given the responsibility to be the night manager, reconciling approximately $80,000/night. That was a huge responsibility for a 17 year old.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Most Girls, Hailee Steinfiled

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It has the authority to make a real difference in how we structure our economy, our services to the people and determination of what direction we choose to take this country.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I strongly belive it is beneficial and imperative to have representatives that have served as an elected official in a different government position. It will help them to understand intergovernmental relations, the important of making sure there are not unfunded mandates, a better understanding of a budget and allocation of that budget, and how policies can have unintended consequences. I beleive if more elected officials in Congress were elected prior to, they would be getting a lot more done with less unintended consequences from the decisions they are making.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

The greatest challenge is the inequity that still exists that continues to perpetuate the gap between the rich and the poor.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

House Ways and Means

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Tim Eichenberg (D)	New Mexico Treasurer 2023-Present	Succeeded by -