Raymond G. Sanchez | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives from the 15th district | |
| In office 1972–2000 | |
| Succeeded by | John Sanchez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 22, 1941 Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Relations | Michael S. Sanchez (brother) |
| Alma mater | University of New Mexico (BA, JD) |
| Occupation | Lawyer, politician |
Raymond G. Sanchez (born September 22, 1941) is an American attorney, lobbyist, and former politician who served as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Raymond G. Sanchez was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on September 22, 1941.[1] He attended the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government in 1964 and Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1967.[1][2] His younger brother is Michael S. Sanchez, an attorney who served in the New Mexico Senate.[3]
Sanchez was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives for district 15 in 1971. He held office until 2000.[4] Sanchez and Walter K. Martinez were leaders of the liberal "Mama Lucy Gang".[5][a] This group controlled the house and prevented conservative "Cowboy Democrats" from the ranching areas in the south of the state from controlling the main committees.[7] In the 1982 election, the liberal Democrats formed a solid majority of the forty seven Democrat members, and Sanchez was elected speaker without opposition from the Cowboys.[8] Sanchez was speaker of the house for sixteen years.[2] In 2000, Raymond Sanchez failed to be reelected to the house, losing to newcomer John Sanchez, a Republican.[9]
After leaving office, Sanchez returned to practicing the law, mainly working on government relations and personal injury.[2] Sanchez became a president of the regents of the University of New Mexico.
In the 2010s, Sanchez was working as a lobbyist at the New Mexico legislature for clients such as Virgin Galactic.[10] Sanchez also worked as a lobbyist for Albuquerque cab companies.[11]