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New Mexico Court of Appeals
The New Mexico Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court in New Mexico.
The court of appeals has offices in Santa Fe and Albuquerque. The court consists of 10 judges, sitting in panels of three. A majority of two judges must agree on opinions. One judge may act upon a motion unless the motion goes to the merits of the case. If so, a motion will be decided by a two- or three-judge panel.[1]
The court has jurisdiction in civil, non-capital criminal and juvenile cases. It has discretionary jurisdiction in interlocutory decision cases and administrative agency appeals. The court takes all appeals from lower courts except those involving capital punishment or life imprisonment, those involving habeas corpus and appeals from the Public Regulation Commission. The court takes about 900 cases each year.[1][2]
Judges hold eight-year terms but may run in a retention election in the general election at the end of their term. If not retained, a judge's term ends on the January 1st following the election.[3]
- Published opinions of the New Mexico Court of Appeals can be found here.
| New Mexico Court of Appeals | |||
| Court information | |||
| Judges: | 10 | ||
| Salary: | Associates: $227,599[4] | ||
| Judicial selection | |||
| Method: | Partisan election of judges | ||
| Term: | 8 years | ||
Judges
| Judge | Tenure | Appointed By |
|---|---|---|
|
2011 - Present |
Susana Martinez |
|
|
July 29, 2020 - Present |
Michelle Lujan Grisham |
|
|
March 1, 2020 - Present |
Michelle Lujan Grisham |
|
|
2019 - Present |
||
|
2018 - Present |
Susana Martinez |
|
|
2019 - Present |
Michelle Lujan Grisham |
|
|
2019 - Present |
||
|
August 16, 2025 - Present |
Michelle Lujan Grisham |
|
|
2021 - Present |
Michelle Lujan Grisham |
|
|
April 26, 2021 - Present |
Salary
- See also: New Mexico court salaries and budgets
In 2025, the associate judges of the court received a salary of $227,599, according to the National Center for State Courts.[5]
Judicial selection
- See also: Judicial selection in New Mexico
The 10 judges of the New Mexico Court of Appeals are chosen through partisan elections. After serving for one year, the appointed judge must win the first partisan general election after their appointment to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. Judges serve eight-year terms.[6] To serve additional terms, judges must receive at least 57% of the vote in a retention election.[6]
Qualifications
To serve on the court of appeals, a person must:
- be at least 35 years old;
- have practiced law for ten years before assuming office; and
- have been a New Mexico resident for three years before assuming office.[7]
Chief judge
The chief judge of the court of appeals is selected by peer vote to serve a two-year term.[8]
Vacancies
In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a judge from a list of qualified candidates recommended by a judicial nominating commission. The appointed judge will serve until the first general election held one year after their appointment. The appointee must run in that general election to serve the remainder of the unexpired term.[9]
Elections
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2030
Katherine Anne Wray's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Gerald Baca's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Jane Yohalem's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2028
Jacqueline Medina's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Zachary Ives' seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2026
Special election: Kristopher Houghton's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
Retention election: J. Miles Hanisee's seat
There are no official candidates yet for this election.
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2024
Shammara Henderson's seat
New Mexico Court of Appeals
Shammara Henderson was retained to the New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 68.9% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 68.9 | 497,924 |
| No | 31.1 | 224,601 | |
| Total Votes | 722,525 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Jennifer Attrep's seat
New Mexico Court of Appeals
Jennifer Attrep was retained to the New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 69.0% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 69.0 | 500,893 |
| No | 31.0 | 224,541 | |
| Total Votes | 725,434 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Megan Duffy's seat
New Mexico Court of Appeals
Megan Duffy was retained to the New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 5, 2024 with 68.2% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 68.2 | 490,262 |
| No | 31.8 | 228,198 | |
| Total Votes | 718,460 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2022
Retention election: Jane Yohalem's seat
New Mexico Court of Appeals
Jane Yohalem was retained to the New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022 with 67.5% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 67.5 | 390,800 |
| No | 32.5 | 188,185 | |
| Total Votes | 578,985 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Special election: Katherine Anne Wray's seat
General election
Special general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Katherine Anne Wray (D) defeated Gertrude Lee (R) and Stephen Curtis (L) in the special general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Katherine Anne Wray (D) | 50.7 | 350,229 | |
| Gertrude Lee (R) | 43.0 | 297,057 | ||
| Stephen Curtis (L) | 6.3 | 43,632 | ||
| Total votes: 690,918 | ||||
= 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
Special Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Katherine Anne Wray (D) advanced from the special Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Katherine Anne Wray | 100.0 | 111,074 | |
| Total votes: 111,074 | ||||
= 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
Special Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Gertrude Lee (R) advanced from the special Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Gertrude Lee | 100.0 | 89,841 | |
| Total votes: 89,841 | ||||
= 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 Party primary
Special Libertarian primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Stephen Curtis (L) advanced from the special Libertarian Party primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephen Curtis | 100.0 | 1,146 | |
| Total votes: 1,146 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Special election: Gerald Baca's seat
General election
Special general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Gerald Baca (D) defeated Barbara Johnson (R) and Sophie Cooper (L) in the special general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gerald Baca (D) | 50.4 | 349,577 |
| Barbara Johnson (R) | 44.2 | 306,521 | ||
| Sophie Cooper (L) | 5.4 | 37,336 | ||
| Total votes: 693,434 | ||||
= 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
Special Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Gerald Baca (D) advanced from the special Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Gerald Baca | 100.0 | 112,975 |
| Total votes: 112,975 | ||||
= 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
Special Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Barbara Johnson (R) advanced from the special Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Barbara Johnson | 100.0 | 90,889 | |
| Total votes: 90,889 | ||||
= 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 Party primary
Special Libertarian primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Sophie Cooper (L) advanced from the special Libertarian Party primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 7, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sophie Cooper (Write-in) | 100.0 | 278 | |
| Total votes: 278 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2020
Retention election: Medina's seat
New Mexico Court of Appeals
Jacqueline Medina was retained to the New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020 with 73.1% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 73.1 | 540,619 |
| No | 26.9 | 199,217 | |
| Total Votes | 739,836 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Regular election: Position 2
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Shammara Henderson (D) defeated Gertrude Lee (R) and Stephen Curtis (L) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Shammara Henderson (D) | 51.0 | 450,566 |
| Gertrude Lee (R) | 41.9 | 370,778 | ||
| Stephen Curtis (L) | 7.1 | 62,547 | ||
| Total votes: 883,891 | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Shammara Henderson (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Shammara Henderson | 100.0 | 201,097 |
| Total votes: 201,097 | ||||
= 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
Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Gertrude Lee (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Gertrude Lee | 100.0 | 131,512 | |
| Total votes: 131,512 | ||||
= 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 Party primary
Libertarian primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Stephen Curtis (L) advanced from the Libertarian Party primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephen Curtis (Write-in) | 100.0 | 204 | |
| Total votes: 204 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Regular election: Position 1
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Zachary Ives (D) defeated Barbara Johnson (R) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zachary Ives (D) | 52.5 | 464,043 |
| Barbara Johnson (R) | 47.5 | 419,927 | ||
| Total votes: 883,970 | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Zachary Ives (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Zachary Ives | 100.0 | 199,136 |
| Total votes: 199,136 | ||||
= 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
Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Barbara Johnson (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Barbara Johnson | 100.0 | 133,065 | |
| Total votes: 133,065 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Regular election: Position 3
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jane Yohalem (D) defeated Thomas Montoya (R) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jane Yohalem (D) | 51.8 | 456,645 |
| Thomas Montoya (R) | 48.2 | 424,153 | ||
| Total votes: 880,798 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Regular election: Position 1: French's seat
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Kristina Bogardus (D) defeated incumbent Stephen French (R) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kristina Bogardus (D) | 54.6 | 370,314 | |
| Stephen French (R) | 45.4 | 308,146 | ||
| Total votes: 678,460 (100% precincts reporting) | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Kristina Bogardus (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Kristina Bogardus | 100.0 | 134,248 | |
| Total votes: 134,248 | ||||
= 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
Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Stephen French (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Stephen French | 100.0 | 66,343 | |
| Total votes: 66,343 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Retention election: Hanisee's seat
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
New Mexico Court of Appeals
J. Miles Hanisee was retained to the New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018 with 69.4% of the vote.
Retention Vote | % | Votes | |
| ✔ | Yes | 69.4 | 382,151 |
| No | 30.6 | 168,167 | |
| Total Votes | 550,318 |
| The results have been certified. Source |
Regular election: Position 5: Attrep's seat
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jennifer Attrep (D) won election in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Attrep (D) | 100.0 | 466,482 |
| Total votes: 466,482 (100% precincts reporting) | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Jennifer Attrep (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jennifer Attrep | 100.0 | 132,431 |
| Total votes: 132,431 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Regular election: Position 2: Bohnhoff's seat
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Jacqueline Medina (D) defeated incumbent Henry Bohnhoff (R) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Medina (D) | 57.8 | 391,429 |
| | Henry Bohnhoff (R) | 42.2 | 285,681 | |
| Total votes: 677,110 (100% precincts reporting) | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Jacqueline Medina (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Jacqueline Medina | 100.0 | 135,632 |
| Total votes: 135,632 | ||||
= 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
Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Henry Bohnhoff (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Henry Bohnhoff | 100.0 | 65,132 |
| Total votes: 65,132 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Regular election: Position 4: Gallegos' seat
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Megan Duffy (D) defeated incumbent Daniel Gallegos (R) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Megan Duffy (D) | 54.5 | 367,522 |
| | Daniel Gallegos (R) | 45.5 | 306,814 | |
| Total votes: 674,336 (100% precincts reporting) | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Megan Duffy (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Megan Duffy | 100.0 | 132,715 |
| Total votes: 132,715 | ||||
= 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
Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Daniel Gallegos (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Daniel Gallegos | 100.0 | 64,674 |
| Total votes: 64,674 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Regular election: Position 3: Kiehne's seat
See also: New Mexico intermediate appellate court elections, 2018
General election
General election for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Briana H. Zamora (D) defeated incumbent Emil Kiehne (R) in the general election for New Mexico Court of Appeals on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Briana H. Zamora (D) | 57.8 | 390,971 |
| | Emil Kiehne (R) | 42.2 | 285,554 | |
| Total votes: 676,525 (100% precincts reporting) | ||||
= 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
Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Briana H. Zamora (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Briana H. Zamora | 100.0 | 135,336 |
| Total votes: 135,336 | ||||
= 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
Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals
Incumbent Emil Kiehne (R) advanced from the Republican primary for New Mexico Court of Appeals on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Emil Kiehne | 100.0 | 64,967 |
| Total votes: 64,967 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
Ethics
The New Mexico Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in New Mexico. It is composed of four canons:
- 21-100. Canon 1. "A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety."
- 21-200. Canon 2. "A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently. "
- 21-300. Canon 3. "A judge shall conduct the judge’s personal and extrajudicial activities to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office."
- 21-400. Canon 4. "A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary."[10]
The full text of the New Mexico Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.
Removal of judges
Judges in New Mexico may be removed in one of two ways:
- Removal or retirement by the supreme court, on a recommendation of the judicial standards commission
- Impeachment requires a majority vote in the house of representatives, and removal requires a two-thirds vote in the Senate.[11]
State profile
| Demographic data for New Mexico | ||
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 2,080,328 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 121,298 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 73.2% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 2.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.4% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 9.1% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 3.3% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 47.4% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 84.2% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 26.3% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $44,963 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 24.7% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in New Mexico. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in New Mexico
New Mexico voted for the Democratic candidate in six out of the seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
Pivot Counties (2016)
Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, three are located in New Mexico, accounting for 1.46 percent of the total pivot counties.[12]
Pivot Counties (2020)
In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. New Mexico had three Retained Pivot Counties, 1.66 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 New Mexico Court of Appeals, "Court Overview," accessed June 16, 2015
- ↑ New Mexico Courts, "About the Courts"
- ↑ New Mexico Constitution, "Article VI, Sections 33, 34"
- ↑ The salary of the chief judge may be higher than an associate judge.
- ↑ National Center for State Courts, "2025 Salaries and Rankings," accessed October 8, 2025
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 New Mexico Secretary of State, "Constitution," accessed September 2, 2021 (Article VI Section 33)
- ↑ New Mexico Secretary of State, "Constitution," accessed September 2, 2021 (Article VI Section 28)
- ↑ NMOneSource.com, "Current New Mexico Statutes Annotated 1978," accessed September 2, 2021 (Chapter 34 Article 5)
- ↑ New Mexico Secretary of State, "Constitution," accessed March 29, 2024 (Article VI Section 35)
- ↑ New Mexico Judicial Standards Commission, "New Mexico Code of Judicial Conduct," accessed August 18, 2025
- ↑ JUSTIA US Law, "New Mexico Supreme Court Decisions," accessed August 18, 2025
- ↑ The raw data for this study was provided by Dave Leip of Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections.
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Federal courts:
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Mexico • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Mexico
State courts:
New Mexico Supreme Court • New Mexico Court of Appeals • New Mexico District Courts • New Mexico Magistrate Court • New Mexico Municipal Courts • New Mexico Probate Courts • New Mexico Problem-Solving Courts • New Mexico Workers' Compensation Administration Court • Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court
State resources:
Courts in New Mexico • New Mexico judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Mexico
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