Xochitl Torres Small

Xochitl Liana Torres Small (first name pronounced /ˈsoʊtʃiːl/ SOH-cheel; born November 15, 1984) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2019 to 2021. The district is the largest by area in the nation that does not contain an entire state, covering New Mexico's southern half, including Roswell, Carlsbad, Las Cruces, and southern Albuquerque. She is a member of the Democratic Party. She was defeated in her 2020 reelection bid by Republican Yvette Herrell in a rematch of the 2018 congressional race.

Xochitl Torres Small
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021
Preceded bySteve Pearce
Succeeded byYvette Herrell
Personal details
Born
Xochitl Liana Torres

(1984-11-15) November 15, 1984
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Nathan Small
EducationGeorgetown University (BA)
University of New Mexico (JD)

Early life and career

Xochitl Liana Torres was born on November 15, 1984, in Portland, Oregon, to Marcos and Cynthia "Cynta" Torres.[1] Her parents were educators, Marcos with child care providers, parents and fathers, Cynta as a public school special education teacher. Marcos also worked as a social worker in child protective services and as a union leader. Torres Small was raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico.[2][3]

After graduating from Mayfield High School in absentia while she earned her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Waterford Kamhlaba United World College in Mbabane, Eswatini, she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Georgetown University and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law.[4][2][5]

Torres Small worked as a field representative for U.S. Senator Tom Udall from 2009 to 2012. She was a federal law clerk in the New Mexico District from 2015 to 2016.[2] She was a water attorney with the Kemp Smith law firm.[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections
See also: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico § District 2

In the 2018 elections, Torres Small ran as a Democrat for the open United States House of Representatives seat in New Mexico's 2nd congressional district. The Republican incumbent, Steve Pearce, declined to run for reelection in order to run for Governor of New Mexico.[7] Torres Small defeated Madeline Hildebrandt in the Democratic Party primary election and Republican nominee Yvette Herrell in the general election.[8][9] She ran as a moderate Democrat.[10]

The results were close on election night, with Herrell in the lead at the end of the night and some New Mexico media organizations projecting that she would win. The next day, more ballots were counted, narrowing Herrell's lead, and media organizations rescinded their projections.[10] On November 7, after all absentee ballots were counted, the New Mexico Secretary of State declared Torres Small the winner.[11]

See also: 2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico § District 2

Torres Small faced a rematch from Herrell in 2020. Republicans targeted her seat as a pickup opportunity. On November 3, Herrell won.[12]

Tenure

In her first week in office, Torres Small and other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) traveled to the United States Border Patrol station at Alamogordo, New Mexico, where Felipe Gómez Alonzo, an eight-year-old Guatemalan immigrant, died in custody.[13]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Electoral history
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Xochitl Torres Small 25,193 72.62
Democratic Madeline Hildebrandt 9,500 27.38
Total votes 34,693 100.00
New Mexico's 2nd congressional district, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Xochitl Torres Small 101,489 50.9
Republican Yvette Herrell 97,767 49.1
Total votes 199,256 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican
New Mexico's 2nd congressional district election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Yvette Herrell 142,169 53.75
Democratic Xochitl Torres Small (incumbent) 122,314 46.25
Total votes 264,483 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

Personal life

In 2016, Small's husband, Nathan Small, was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing the 36th district.[7] He ran for reelection in 2018, winning with 59.9% of the vote.[18][19] She is a Lutheran.[20]

See also

References
  1. "Candidate Conversation - Xochitl Torres-Small (D)". Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales. April 20, 2018.
  2. Angela Kocherga (October 2, 2018). "Torres Small banks on 'strong independent streak' in district". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  3. Missing teacher is back home, Albuquerque Journal, October 27, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  4. "Inspired Alumna Runs for Office in New Mexico". UWC. November 7, 2018.
  5. Bush, Mike (May 27, 2014). "UNM team had role in court ruling". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved January 6, 2019.
  6. Sanchez, Derek (February 13, 2018). "UNM School of Law Alumna Seeks Big Impact on New Mexico Politics". UNM School of Law News. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  7. "Las Cruces water attorney to seek seat being vacated by Pearce". Lcsun-news.com. January 17, 2018. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  8. Bowman, Bridget (June 5, 2018). "Torres Small, Herrell to Battle for New Mexico Open Seat". Roll Call. Rollcall.com. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  9. "Torres Small, Herrell to face off for congressional seat in GOP stronghold | Albuquerque Journal". Abqjournal.com. Retrieved October 26, 2018.
  10. "Republican Who Lost US House Race Seeks to Impound Ballots".
  11. "Secretary of state declares Torres Small winner of 2nd Congressional District race". KOB.com. November 7, 2018.
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/04/us/politics/new-mexico-yvette-herrell.html
  13. "US delegation seeks more details on Guatemalan boy's death". sanluisobispo. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  14. "BLUE DOG COALITION ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP, NEW MEMBERS FOR THE 116TH CONGRESS". Blue Dog Coalition. November 27, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  15. "The Women's Caucus". Women's Congressional Policy Institute. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  16. "Chairman Joaquin Castro Welcomes Newest Members to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus". Congressman Joaquin Castro. January 8, 2019. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  17. "New Democrat Coalition Inducts 30 Members-Elect and Elects New Leadership". New Democrat Coalition. November 30, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  18. "Rep. Nathan Small announces re-election bid for District 36". Las Cruces Sun-News. March 9, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  19. Jacqueline Devine (November 6, 2018). "Democrats sweep house races, New Mexico". Las Cruces Sun News. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  20. Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. "Religious affiliation of members of 116th Congress" (PDF). pewforum.org. p. 8. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by
Steve Pearce		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 2nd congressional district
2019–2021		 Succeeded by
Yvette Herrell
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