Michelle Lujan Grisham facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Michelle Lujan Grisham
Lujan Grisham in 2021
32nd Governor of New Mexico
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2019
Lieutenant	Howie Morales
Preceded by	Susana Martinez
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 1st district
In office January 3, 2013 – January 1, 2019
Preceded by	Martin Heinrich
Succeeded by	Deb Haaland
Member of the Bernalillo County Commission from the 1st district
In office 2011–2012
Preceded by	Alan Armijo
Succeeded by	Simon Kubiak
Secretary of Health of New Mexico
In office August 2004 – June 2007
Governor	Bill Richardson
Preceded by	Patricia Montoya
Succeeded by	Alfredo Vigil
Personal details
Born	Michelle Lynn Lujan (1959-10-24) October 24, 1959 (age 65) Los Alamos, New Mexico, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouses	Gregory Grisham ​ ​ (m. 1982; died 2004)​ Manuel Cordova ​ (m. 2022)​
Children	2
Residence	Governor's Mansion
Education	University of New Mexico (BA, JD)

Michelle Lujan Grisham (born October 24, 1959), also known as MLG, is an American lawyer and politician. She has been the 32nd governor of New Mexico since 2019. Before becoming governor, she was a U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2013 to 2019. She is a member of the Democratic Party.

Lujan Grisham also served as New Mexico's secretary of health from 2004 to 2007. She was a Bernalillo County commissioner from 2010 to 2012. She was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. In 2016, she became the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. She won the election for governor of New Mexico in 2018 and was reelected in 2022.

Early Life and Education

Michelle Lynn Lujan was born in Los Alamos, New Mexico. She grew up in Santa Fe. Her father, Llewellyn Eugene "Buddy" Lujan, was a dentist. Her mother, Sonja Lee, was a homemaker. Michelle had a sister, Kimberly, who passed away at age 21.

Lujan Grisham's family has lived in New Mexico for many generations. She is part of the well-known Lujan political family. Many members of her family have worked in government roles.

Michelle graduated from St. Michael's High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Mexico in 1981. She also earned a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the University of New Mexico School of Law in 1987. In 1982, she married Gregory Alan Grisham.

Early Political Career

Lujan Grisham worked as the director of the New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department. She served under Governors Bruce King, Gary Johnson, and Bill Richardson. During Governor Richardson's time, her position became part of the state cabinet. In 2004, Governor Richardson appointed her as the New Mexico Secretary of Health. She held this role until 2007.

Later, Lujan Grisham was elected to the Bernalillo County Commission. She served as a commissioner from 2010 to 2012.

Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives

Becoming a Representative

Lujan Grisham ran for the United States House of Representatives in 2008 but did not win the primary election. She tried again in 2012 when the seat became open. She won the Democratic nomination and then defeated Janice Arnold-Jones in the general election.

Grisham during the 113th Congress

She was reelected in 2014, defeating Mike Frese. In 2016, she won her election against Richard Priem.

Key Work in Congress

Michelle Lujan Grisham became a member of Congress on January 3, 2013. In 2016, she was chosen to be the chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This group works on issues important to Hispanic communities.

She was also part of important committees in the House of Representatives:

• Committee on Agriculture
• Committee on the Budget

Lujan Grisham left her House seat on December 31, 2018. This was so she could become the governor of New Mexico the next day.

Governor of New Mexico

Winning the Governorship

On December 13, 2016, Michelle Lujan Grisham announced she would run for governor of New Mexico. She was the first person to announce her candidacy. On June 5, 2018, she won the Democratic primary election. On November 6, she was elected governor, defeating Republican Steve Pearce. She won with 57.2% of the votes.

On November 8, 2022, Lujan Grisham was reelected for her second term as governor. She defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti with 52% of the vote.

Important Actions as Governor

Lujan Grisham became governor on January 1, 2019. In September 2019, she shared a plan to make public universities in New Mexico tuition-free for state residents. This means students from New Mexico would not have to pay for classes at these universities.

She also took steps to protect the environment. In January 2019, she signed an order for New Mexico to join the United States Climate Alliance. This group aims to reduce harmful gases that cause climate change. Her order set a goal to reduce these gases by 45% by 2030. It also called for rules to reduce methane gas from oil and gas operations.

In March 2019, Governor Lujan Grisham signed the Energy Transition Act. This law helps New Mexico move away from coal and natural gas for electricity. It requires the state to get 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030. By 2045, it aims for 100% of electricity to come from zero-carbon sources. She said this law was "a promise to future generations of New Mexicans."

In September 2020, Lujan Grisham was named a co-chair for the team planning Joe Biden's presidential transition. In December 2020, she was elected chair of the Democratic Governors Association for 2021.

In August 2021, Lujan Grisham signed an order to support President Biden's "30x30" land goal. This goal aims to conserve 30% of America's lands and waters by 2030.

In September 2023, Governor Lujan Grisham issued an emergency order that temporarily restricted carrying firearms in Albuquerque. This order was met with different opinions and was later blocked by a judge while it was being reviewed.

In April 2025, Governor Lujan Grisham signed a new law. This law allows voters who are not registered with a major political party to vote in primary elections. This change will start in 2026. It aims to help more people participate in elections.

Political Views

Michelle Lujan Grisham speaking at a budget rally, May 2017

Gun Laws

Lujan Grisham has supported stricter gun laws. In 2015, she was a co-sponsor of a bill called the Assault Weapon Ban.

Israel

Lujan Grisham is a strong supporter of Israel.

Minimum Wage

In 2015, Lujan Grisham supported a law that would raise the federal minimum wage to $12 per hour.

2024 Presidential Election

After Joe Biden decided not to run for president in 2024, Kamala Harris became the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. Lujan Grisham supported Harris and believed she would win New Mexico in the election.

Personal Life

Michelle Lujan Grisham married Gregory Grisham in 1982. They had two daughters. Gregory passed away in 2004.

Lujan Grisham married Manuel Cordova, a small business owner, on May 21, 2022. Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris performed the wedding ceremony. The couple had been together since 2012.

See also

• List of female governors in the United States
• List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
• List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
• Women in the United States House of Representatives