Xochitl Torres Small facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Xochitl Torres Small
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| 15th United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture | |
| In office July 17, 2023 – January 20, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Jewel H. Bronaugh |
| Succeeded by | Stephen Vaden |
| Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development | |
| In office October 13, 2021 – July 17, 2023 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Lisa Mensah |
| Succeeded by | Basil Gooden |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New Mexico's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Pearce |
| Succeeded by | Yvette Herrell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Xochitl Liana Torres
November 15, 1984 Portland, Oregon, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nathan Small |
| Education | Georgetown University (BS) University of New Mexico (JD) |
Xochitl Liana Torres Small (pronounced SOH-cheel; born November 15, 1984) is an American lawyer and politician. From 2023 to 2025, she served as the 15th United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. In this role, she was like the chief operating officer for the department, helping to manage its daily work. President Joe Biden nominated her for this important job in February 2023, and the Senate approved her in July.
Before this, she was a U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2019 to 2021. She also served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development from 2021 to 2023.
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Early Life and Education
Xochitl Liana Torres was born on November 15, 1984, in Portland, Oregon. Her parents, Marcos and Cynthia Torres, were both educators. She grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and is a third-generation Mexican American.
Torres Small earned her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa in Mbabane, Eswatini. She then studied at Georgetown University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. Later, she received a law degree (Juris Doctor) from the University of New Mexico School of Law.
Early Career
Before becoming a politician, Torres Small worked in several legal and public service roles. From 2009 to 2012, she was a field representative for U.S. Senator Tom Udall. She also worked as a federal law clerk in New Mexico from 2015 to 2016. After that, she practiced law as a water attorney at the Kemp Smith law firm.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Running for Congress in 2018
In 2018, Torres Small ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives to represent New Mexico's 2nd district. The previous Republican representative, Steve Pearce, decided not to run again. Torres Small won the Democratic primary election. She then faced Republican state Representative Yvette Herrell in the general election. Torres Small ran as a moderate Democrat.
The election results were very close. On election night, Herrell seemed to be winning. However, after more ballots were counted the next day, Torres Small was declared the winner by the New Mexico Secretary of State on November 7.
Time in Congress
During her time in Congress, Torres Small focused on important issues for her district. In her first week, she visited a Border Patrol station in Alamogordo, New Mexico, with other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. This visit was to learn more about the conditions there.
She was the main sponsor of three bills that became law during her two years in Congress. She also worked on committees important to her district.
Committees and Groups
While in the House of Representatives, Torres Small was part of several important committees and groups:
- Committee on Armed Services: This committee deals with military and defense matters.
- Committee on Homeland Security: This committee focuses on national security and border protection. She chaired a subcommittee on oversight.
- Committee on Agriculture: This committee handles issues related to farming and food.
She was also a member of groups like the Blue Dog Coalition, which is made up of moderate Democrats, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
2020 Election
In 2020, Torres Small ran for reelection against Yvette Herrell again. During the campaign, Torres Small highlighted her votes on oil and gas issues, which sometimes differed from her party's usual stances. Despite spending more money on her campaign, Torres Small lost the election to Herrell.
Work at the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Under Secretary for Rural Development
In June 2021, President Joe Biden announced that he would nominate Torres Small to be the Under Secretary for Rural Development at the United States Department of Agriculture. This role focuses on helping rural communities across the country. She was approved for this position in October 2021.
Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
On February 15, 2023, President Biden announced his plan to nominate Torres Small for an even higher role: United States Deputy Secretary of Agriculture. This is a very important leadership position within the department. After a hearing in May, she was confirmed by the Senate on July 11, 2023. She officially started her new job on July 17, 2023.
Personal Life
Xochitl Torres Small is married to Nathan Small. He was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2016 and won reelection in 2018. Torres Small is a Lutheran.
See also
In Spanish: Xochitl Torres Small para niños
- List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
