Theresa Becenti-Aguilar facts for kids

Theresa Becenti-Aguilar is an American politician. She served as a member of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. This commission helps make rules for important services. These services include electricity, gas, and telephone companies. She represented the 4th district. This district covers many counties in New Mexico. These include Cibola, McKinley, and San Juan Counties. It also includes parts of Bernalillo, Rio Arriba, Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Socorro Counties.

Early Life and Education

Theresa Becenti-Aguilar grew up in Coyote Canyon. This area is part of the Navajo Nation Indian Reservation. She learned a lot about business and law.

Learning for a Career

She earned an accounting certificate. This was from Santa Fe Business College. She also got a paralegal certificate. This came from Santa Fe Community College. A paralegal helps lawyers with their work.

Public Ethics Training

Becenti-Aguilar is also a New Mexico Certified Advocate in Public Ethics. This means she learned about doing things fairly and honestly in public service. She earned this through New Mexico State University's Cooperative Extension Service.

Her Public Service Career

Theresa Becenti-Aguilar has a long history of working for the public. She helped people in different government roles.

Early Work Experience

She started as an intern. This was with the Bureau of Land Management. Later, she worked for Tom Udall. He was the attorney general for New Mexico. Then, he served in the United States House of Representatives. Becenti-Aguilar helped people from tribal communities. She was a representative for them.

First Native American Liaison

In November 2006, she made history. She became the first Native American liaison. This role was with the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. A liaison helps connect different groups. In this case, she connected Native American communities with the commission.

Serving on the Commission

In June 2010, Becenti-Aguilar won the Democratic nomination. She ran for public regulation commissioner. She won against three other candidates. She received 36% of the votes.

The person holding the seat before her, Carol Sloan, was removed from office. Governor Bill Richardson then appointed Becenti-Aguilar to the position. She was later elected in November. She won with 55% of the votes.

Re-election and End of Service

In 2014, Becenti-Aguilar ran for re-election. She lost to former commissioner Lynda Lovejoy. Lovejoy received 46% of the votes.

Becenti-Aguilar ran again in 2018. This time, she won a close race. She defeated Lovejoy and Janene Yazzie. She then won the general election without anyone running against her.

Her time on the commission ended on December 31, 2022. This happened because of a change to the state's constitution. The commission changed from having elected members to appointed members.