Stephen Fischmann
Stephen Fischmann (Democratic Party) was a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner, representing District 5. He assumed office on January 1, 2019. He left office on January 1, 2023.
Fischmann (Democratic Party) ran for election to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner to represent District 5. He won in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Fischmann completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Fischmann is a former Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing District 37 from 2009 to 2013.
Biography
Fischmann earned his B.A. in political science/English from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1976 and his MBA in finance and marketing from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1979. His professional experience includes working as the General Manager/Operations Manager/Finance and Planning Manager for Levi Strauss and Company - Designer Group, Womenswear and Menswear Divisions from 1979 to 1999 and as the then owner of Property Inspection/Real Estate Brokerage from 1999 to 2004.[1]
Political career
New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (2019-2023)
Fischmann was elected to the commission in November 2018 and was sworn into office in January 2019. He replaced incumbent Sandy Jones, who he defeated in the Democratic primary on June 5, 2018.[2]
Committee assignments
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Fischmann served on these committees:
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Fischmann served on these committees:
Elections
2018
General election
General election for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5
Stephen Fischmann defeated Ben L. Hall in the general election for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Stephen Fischmann (D)  | 54.4 | 67,616 |
 | Ben L. Hall (R) | 45.6 | 56,615 | |
| Total votes: 124,231 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5
Stephen Fischmann defeated incumbent Sandy Jones in the Democratic primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Stephen Fischmann | 52.4 | 13,415 |
| Sandy Jones | 47.6 | 12,201 | ||
| Total votes: 25,616 | |||
| = 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 Public Regulation Commission District 5
Ben L. Hall defeated Chris Mathys and Joseph Bizzell in the Republican primary for New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5 on June 5, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben L. Hall | 36.1 | 5,513 |
 | Chris Mathys | 35.9 | 5,486 | |
| Joseph Bizzell | 28.1 | 4,293 | ||
| Total votes: 15,292 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2012
- See also: New Mexico State Senate elections, 2012
Fischmann did not run for re-election in 2012.[3][4]
2008
- See also: New Mexico State Senate elections, 2008
On November 4, 2008, Fischmann was elected to the 37th District Seat in the New Mexico Senate, besting Leonard Rawson (R).[5] Fischmann raised $247,165 for his campaign, while Rawson raised $173,054.[6]
| New Mexico Senate, District 37 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
 Stephen Fischmann (D)
|
13,229 | |||
| Leonard Rawson (R) | 12,643 | |||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Stephen Fischmann completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Fischmann's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
One. Require more transparency and clarity from utilities in their filings for new plants and in rate cases. Two. Install consumer advocate in the agency to ensure more balance between consumer and utility interests. Three. Update staff expertise and openness to renewable, storage, non wires, efficiency and other rapidly evolving Energy Technologies.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Poverty and the environment.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
Teddy Roosevelt. Barack Obama. Both exhibited incredible courage, and empathy for the Common Man.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Integrity is the most important character trait for elected officials along with openness to hear the concerns of all constituents. Maximizing public benefits, while minimizing downsides for any particular group should be the top priority.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Strong analytical skills. Strong knowledge of the energy industry and government regulation. Financial background as a senior corporate executive is key to understanding and evaluating billions of dollars of potential Investments. Deep commitment to ensuring fair treatment of lower-income folks.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Providing lowest cost electricity, gas, transportation, and Water Utility Services that are reliable, safe and environmentally sound.
What legacy would you like to leave?
That I helped paved the way for a cheap and clean energy Revolution that saved money for consumers , created jobs and preserved our environment.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The Cuban Missile Crisis. I listened intently on the radio. I was 7 years old and scared!
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Selling soft drinks on the beach. I was 14 years old and it was my own Enterprise.
What happened on your most awkward date?
Too many awkward dates to even remember. But I have a wonderful wife now!
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Thanksgiving. We always have a terrific family gathering at my sister's home. Just great fun and great spirits and joy every time.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Lonesome Dove. . It's just so honest about human emotions.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government?
The PRC has final decision-making Authority over the Investments and cost of utility services. That means it is critical to effective implementation of clean energy policy and fair treatment of the many Working Poor consumers who have no choice but to use their Monopoly utility providers.
What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?
Ensuring the lowest cost and safest provision of water, power and transportation services.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
The PRC manages the state Fire Marshal Department and the universal service Broadband fund. Both are critical to Public Safety.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
Yes. My experience as a state senator will help in working with the legislature to enact sound Energy and safety policies that the PRC can implement .
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
Knowledge of energy issues, regulatory norms, and analytical skills to separate the wheat from the chaff on complicated and expensive utility proposals.
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.
Campaign finance summary
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Fischmann and his wife, Sandy Katayanagi, have two children.
See also
| New Mexico | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
|---|---|---|
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- New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
- New Mexico Public Regulation Commission election, 2018
- New Mexico State Senate
- Senate Committees
- New Mexico State Legislature
- New Mexico state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Biography of Stephen Fischmann," accessed December 18, 2014
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedelect - ↑ New Mexico Secretary of State, "Official Primary Results," accessed April 15, 2014
- ↑ New Mexico Secretary of State, "2012 Primary Candidate List," accessed May 12, 2014(Archived)
- ↑ New Mexico Secretary of State, "2008 General election results," accessed May 12, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "New Mexico Senate spending, 2008," accessed May 12, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sandy Jones (D) |
New Mexico Public Regulation Commission District 5 2019-2023 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by - |
New Mexico State Senate District 37 2009-2013 |
Succeeded by - |
 |
State of New Mexico Santa Fe (capital) |
|---|---|
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