Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 2, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

The University of New Mexico, 2001

Graduate

New Mexico State University, 2010

Ph.D

New Mexico State University, 2019

Personal

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Administrator

Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Mexico Public Education Commission to represent District 10. She lost as a write-in in the Democratic primary on June 2, 2020.

Salazar Montoya completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya was born in New Mexico. She attended the University of New Mexico, earning a bachelor's degree in 2001 and a master's degree in 2005, and New Mexico State University, earning a master's degree in 2010 and a Ph.D. in 2019. Salazar Montoya's career experience includes working as an administrator and small business owner.

Elections

2020

See also: New Mexico Public Education Commission election, 2020

General election

General election for New Mexico Public Education Commission District 10

Steven Carrillo won election in the general election for New Mexico Public Education Commission District 10 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steven Carrillo (D)	100.0	82,140

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 82,140
= 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 New Mexico Public Education Commission District 10

Steven Carrillo defeated Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya and William Luther Humbert in the Democratic primary for New Mexico Public Education Commission District 10 on June 2, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Steven Carrillo (Write-in)	57.4	3,894
		Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya (Write-in)	39.0	2,646
	Submit photo	William Luther Humbert (Write-in)	3.6	241

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 6,781
= 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.

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Leanne Christine Salazar Montoya completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Salazar 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.

Working in NM as an educator since 2001, (as a teacher, principal, director, and superintendent) I feel that my personal, professional, and educational background have prepared me to make educated decisions about what is best for the children of New Mexico. I have a BS in Elementary Education from UNM, an MA from UNM and NMSU and a PhD in educational leadership from NMSU. Moreover, I am a mother, a neighbor, and a friend whose served my community as a youth leader for over 15 years.

If elected, I would first like to ensure that our charter schools are held accountable not only financially but held accountable for their academic growth and performance measures. Our tax dollars should continue to serve the unique needs and creative nature of our charter schools but accountability is key!

Secondly, I would like to develop a system that highlights the high performing charter schools, and share their recipes for success!! Education is the key to our communities future!

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?

• Placing New Mexico Children above all else!!
• New Mexico needs more educators, promoting educational excellence!
• Charter Schools help provide innovative ways of meeting the diverse needs of our children!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am particularly interested in the policies that promote transparency, funding and accountability!

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Approval of New, Existing, and potential charter schools.

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

My hero and the person I will forever look up to will be my father who has now passed. He was my hero, my friend, my advisor, and life coach. He was successful throughout his career and I admire him for the life he led. He was an honest, hard working public servant. He helped many people over the course of his career and I aspire to be the type of Servant Leader he once was!!

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't by Simon Sinek

Sinek, author of the popular book Start with Why, offers insight on how to build a workplace around trust and avoid the infighting and silos that doom unsuccessful cultures.

In case you're wondering what the title refers to, Sinek found an answer to a longstanding question in his mind about how great leaders build trust

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, Integrity and Transparency!

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe that I process the necessary organizational leadership and executive administrative experience which lends itself to

strong leadership abilities and supports my qualifications. I am committed to excellence in service. Additionally, I believe I can

predict need and I always practices personal accountability in the workplace.

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

Good stewardship, budget and finance knowledge, and an open mind!

What legacy would you like to leave?

Diversity is the one true thing we all have in common. Our charter schools in New Mexico reach our diverse students and we should strive to serve all students in unique ways!

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first historical event that happened in my lifetime that I remember is ..

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

My first professional job was teaching for the Mesa Vista Schools. I taught 6th grade and continued working for that district for 2 more years, until an opportunity arose to change schools. I was an educator for over 17 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Where to Begin" by Cleo Wade - A small book about your power to create big change in our world!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Mulan!

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

Imagine - John Lennon

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Charter School Accountability - as it relates to serving and providing a quality education for students who choose charter schools across New Mexico!!

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe that having a solid understanding of the fundamental needs of schools, children and teachers is needed and can greatly benefit the quality of charter schools across New Mexico!!

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.

See also

2020 Elections

What's on the ballot? U.S. President U.S. Congress U.S. Congress special elections State executives State legislatures State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards Election analysis hub

Government

Who represents me? U.S. Congress State executives State legislators State courts Ballot measures Municipal government School boards

Newsletters

Coronavirus Weekly Updates Documenting America's Path to Recovery The Heart of the Primaries The Daily Brew The Weekly Brew The Ballot Bulletin Checks and Balances Economy and Society Hall Pass Number of the Day Robe & Gavel Union Station

External links

• Search Google News for this topic