{"id":25457,"date":"2020-11-06T01:25:28","date_gmt":"2020-11-06T01:25:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/11\/06\/new-mexicos-first-black-state-senator-is-progressive-air-force-veteran\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:39:08","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:39:08","slug":"new-mexicos-first-black-state-senator-is-progressive-air-force-veteran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2020\/11\/06\/new-mexicos-first-black-state-senator-is-progressive-air-force-veteran\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mexico\u2019s first Black state senator is progressive Air Force veteran"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

SANTA FE, N.M. \u2014 A retired Air Force officer from Albuquerque will become the first Black state senator in New Mexico\u2019s 108-year history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his first attempt at elected office, Democrat and retired Capt. Harold Pope Jr. unseated Republican Sen. Sander Rue, who is white, and held the suburban district since 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday\u2019s election is transforming both chambers of the Legislature to more closely reflect New Mexico\u2019s demographics. For the first time, the House will be majority female, with 37 women out of 70 representatives, up from 32.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s likely that three more state Senate seats will be held by women, increasing the total to 12, or less than one-third of the 42-person chamber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the northwestern reaches of Albuquerque, Pope\u2019s district is around 2.5 percent Black, similar to the low statewide number. Pope made education and the coronavirus \u2014 not race \u2014 the focal points of his campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe might have some budget shortfalls right now or some issues with the budget. But for me the fight we still have to continue (is) to properly fund public education,\u201d Pope said Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\t