Ben D. Altamirano
Encyclopedia
Ben D. Altamirano was a New Mexico
politician and businessman. He was a Democrat
.
, New Mexico in 1930. He enlisted in the United States Army
in 1946 and served with the European occupation forces after World War II
. After his stint in the Army, he attended Western New Mexico University
.
Altamirano owned several grocery stores for 40 years and was married to Nina Melendrez. They had two sons and a daughter.
Commission.
In 1970, Altamirano was elected to the New Mexico Senate
, representing District 28. He took office in 1971 and served until his death.
Altamirano ran for Lieutenant Governor
in 1994. He was one of four candidates in the Democratic primary and lost the primary to Patricia Madrid, who lost that November.
Altamirano served as chairman of the powerful Finance Committee for 17 years before being selected by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore
in 2003.
to succeed Altamirano.
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...
politician and businessman. He was a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
.
Personal life
Altamirano was born in Silver CitySilver City, New Mexico
Silver City is a town in Grant County, New Mexico, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 10,545. It is the county seat of Grant County. The city is the home of Western New Mexico University.-History:...
, New Mexico in 1930. He enlisted in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in 1946 and served with the European occupation forces after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After his stint in the Army, he attended Western New Mexico University
Western New Mexico University
Western New Mexico University, a public university located in Silver City, New Mexico, has served the people of the state of New Mexico and its surrounding areas as a comprehensive, regional, rural, public coeducational university since 1893 and caters to a student body diverse in age, culture,...
.
Altamirano owned several grocery stores for 40 years and was married to Nina Melendrez. They had two sons and a daughter.
Political career
Altamirano began his political career on the Silver City Town Council, where he served for 10 years. He then served for four years on the Grant CountyGrant County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*84.9% White*0.9% Black*1.4% Native American*0.4% Asian*0.1% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*2.8% Two or more races*9.8% Other races*48.3% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
Commission.
In 1970, Altamirano was elected to 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...
, representing District 28. He took office in 1971 and served until his death.
Altamirano ran for Lieutenant Governor
Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico
Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico is an official in the state of New Mexico that ranks just below the Governor of New Mexico. The current lieutenant governor is John Sanchez.- Partial list of Lieutenant Governors of New Mexico :...
in 1994. He was one of four candidates in the Democratic primary and lost the primary to Patricia Madrid, who lost that November.
Altamirano served as chairman of the powerful Finance Committee for 17 years before being selected by his colleagues to serve as President Pro Tempore
President pro tempore
A President pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer...
in 2003.
Death
Altamirano died from a heart attack on December 27, 2007. He was 77. He had suffered from heart ailments since 1981 and had recently undergone surgery. He was buried in Memory Lane Cemetery in Silver City, New Mexico. He was survived by his wife and his three children. On January 9, 2008 Governor Bill Richardson appointed Grant County Clerk Howie MoralesHowie Morales
Henry "Howie" C. Morales is a Democratic member of the New Mexico Senate, representing the 28th District since 2008. The 28th District serves Catron, Grant, and Socorro counties.-Education:...
to succeed Altamirano.
External links
- Obituary from the Las Cruces Sun-News