Cindy Nava is an American politician who was elected to serve as a member of the New Mexico Senate in the 2024 election. She will assume office in January 2025.
Cindy Nava | |
|---|---|
| Member-elect of the New Mexico Senate from the 9th district | |
| Assuming office January 2025 | |
| Succeeding | Brenda McKenna |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Mexico |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Santa Fe Community College (AS) University of New Mexico (BA, MS) |
Early life and education
editBorn in Mexico, Nava came to the United States with her family as a child. She is a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.[1] Raised in Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico, Nava earned an associate degree in education from Santa Fe Community College, followed by a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Master of Science in educational leadership and policy from the University of New Mexico.[2]
Career
editPrior to seeking elected office, Nava worked as an aide in the New Mexico Legislature. She served in the office of then-Congressman Ben Ray Luján and worked on Luján's 2020 Senate campaign. From 2022 to 2024, Nava served as a senior policy advisor in the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, one of the first DACA recipients to receive a presidential appointment.[3]
In 2024, Nava resigned from HUD and returned to New Mexico to launch a campaign for the New Mexico Senate. Nava won the Democratic primary and defeated Audrey Trujillo in the general election.[4]
References
edit- ^ Czachor, Emily Mae (2024-11-06). "DACA recipient wins New Mexico legislative seat and other historic 2024 election wins - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "UNM alumna and education advocate called to Washington, D.C. to fill presidential appointment". UNM Newsroom. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ "Former DACA recipient wins New Mexico legislative seat, making history". WLRN. 2024-11-06. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ^ Fisher, Austin (2024-06-05). "Democrats pick Cindy Nava for Senate District 9, as Audrey Trujillo takes GOP nod • Source New Mexico". Source New Mexico. Retrieved 2024-11-08.