Liz Stefanics
Encyclopedia
Elizabeth T. Stefanics known as Liz Stefanics, is an American
politician from New Mexico
, currently serving on the Santa Fe County Commission
. A former member of the New Mexico Senate
, she was the first openly LGBT member of the New Mexico legislature, serving a single four-year term that began in January 1993.
but moved to New Mexico to teach at the University of New Mexico
. The daughter of an airplane mechanic and a secretary, she grew up in poverty but went on to earn three college degrees. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University
, before doing a masters in resource management at the University of Wisconsin and earning a doctorate in administration and law from the University of Minnesota
. In addition, she has done post-doctoral work at the University of New Mexico in public administration and health care. She spent more than ten years as the executive director of Open Hands, a charity serving the elderly, disabled and poor, before which she was executive director of New Mexico AIDS Services.
In her race for re-election in 1996, she faced a primary challenge from Phil Griego
, a former member of Santa Fe City Council. She lost the primary election by a margin of 54 votes and Griego went on to win the seat.
In 1998, she ran for a seat on the newly created Public Regulation Commission from the 3rd district. In the primary election held on June 2, 1998 she faced fellow Democrat Jerome Block. The race was extremely close and Stefanics originally appeared to have won but final results, which included a number of originally uncounted ballots from Rio Arriba County, showed Block winning by approximately 0.2%. He went on to win the general election handily.
In 2000, she mounted a rematch against Griego, aiming to win back the seat she'd previously held in the state senate. She lost the primary by 53% to 47%.
and was the first openly gay person to serve in the New Mexico Legislature
. She has spent almost two decades with her partner, Linda Siegle, a former chairman of the Santa Fe Community College
Board of Trustees. Her campaigns have often won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician from New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, currently serving on the Santa Fe County Commission
Santa Fe County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*76.2% White*0.9% Black*3.1% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*3.6% Two or more races*14.9% Other races*50.6% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
. A former member of the New Mexico Senate
New Mexico Senate
The New Mexico Senate is the upper house of the New Mexico State Legislature. The Senate consists of 42 members, with each senator representing an equal amount of single-member constituent districts across the state. All senatorial districts are divided to contain a population on average of 43,300...
, she was the first openly LGBT member of the New Mexico legislature, serving a single four-year term that began in January 1993.
Early life and career
Stefanics was born and raised in Dayton, OhioDayton, Ohio
Dayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
but moved to New Mexico to teach at the University of New Mexico
University of New Mexico
The University of New Mexico at Albuquerque is a public research university located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in the United States. It is the state's flagship research institution...
. The daughter of an airplane mechanic and a secretary, she grew up in poverty but went on to earn three college degrees. She graduated with a bachelor's degree from Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Kentucky University, commonly referred to as Eastern or by the acronym EKU by local residents, is an undergraduate and graduate teaching and research institution located in Richmond, Kentucky, U.S.A.. EKU is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, before doing a masters in resource management at the University of Wisconsin and earning a doctorate in administration and law from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. In addition, she has done post-doctoral work at the University of New Mexico in public administration and health care. She spent more than ten years as the executive director of Open Hands, a charity serving the elderly, disabled and poor, before which she was executive director of New Mexico AIDS Services.
State Senate
In 1992, Stefanics ran for the New Mexico Senate in the 39th district, a mostly rural district covering parts of six counties in northern New Mexico. She won the seat and took office in January 1993. During her four years in the senate, she co-chaired the Health and Human Services Interim Committee.In her race for re-election in 1996, she faced a primary challenge from Phil Griego
Phil Griego
Phil A. Griego is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 39th District since 1996.-External links:* official NM Senate website* profile*Follow the Money - Phil A Griego** campaign contributions...
, a former member of Santa Fe City Council. She lost the primary election by a margin of 54 votes and Griego went on to win the seat.
In 1998, she ran for a seat on the newly created Public Regulation Commission from the 3rd district. In the primary election held on June 2, 1998 she faced fellow Democrat Jerome Block. The race was extremely close and Stefanics originally appeared to have won but final results, which included a number of originally uncounted ballots from Rio Arriba County, showed Block winning by approximately 0.2%. He went on to win the general election handily.
In 2000, she mounted a rematch against Griego, aiming to win back the seat she'd previously held in the state senate. She lost the primary by 53% to 47%.
Executive appointments
Stefanics spent several years as the director of the New Mexico Health Policy Commission, a post to which she was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson. She had previously spent three years as deputy secretary of the state Human Services Department.County Commission
In 2008, Stefanics mounted a bid for the Santa Fe County Commission from the 5th district, which covers Eldorado and the Community College District south of the city. She won the Democratic primary election convincingly, garnering 52% of the vote in a five-way race. She was unopposed in the general election and took office on January 1, 2009.Personal life
Stefanics is a lesbianLesbian
Lesbian is a term most widely used in the English language to describe sexual and romantic desire between females. The word may be used as a noun, to refer to women who identify themselves or who are characterized by others as having the primary attribute of female homosexuality, or as an...
and was the first openly gay person to serve in the New Mexico Legislature
New Mexico Legislature
The New Mexico Legislature is the legislative branch of the state government of New Mexico. It is a bicameral body made up of the New Mexico House of Representatives and the New Mexico Senate....
. She has spent almost two decades with her partner, Linda Siegle, a former chairman of the Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe Community College
Santa Fe Community College ' is a public two-year Community college located in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The college offers more than 72 degrees and certificate programs and caters to the academic, career and personal-enrichment needs of local residents, businesses, government and public service...
Board of Trustees. Her campaigns have often won the support of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
The Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund is an American political action committee dedicated to increasing the number of openly LGBT public officials in US political life.The Victory Fund was founded in 1991...
.