Debbie Rodella

Debbie Rodella
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 41st district
Assumed office
1993
Personal details
Born (1961-11-28) November 28, 1961
Española, New Mexico
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Thomas Rodella
Residence Española, New Mexico

Debbie A. Rodella (born November 28, 1961)[1] is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives in which she has served since 1993. A Democrat, she is a native and lifelong resident of Española, New Mexico, and represents Legislative District 41 located in Rio Arriba, Santa Fe, and Taos Counties.[2]

Personal life and education

Rodella received her associate degree from Northern New Mexico Community College and went to the College of Santa Fe. She worked as a materials science technician and as a secretary.[1] Rodella is married to Thomas Rodella, the former sheriff of Rio Arriba County who was removed from office after his federal felony convictions in September 2014 on multiple civil rights charges.[3] They have two children.[1]

Legislative career

Rodella was first elected to the 70-seat New Mexico House of Representatives in 1992. Running unopposed in both primary and general elections since 2006, Rodella was re-elected to a twelfth consecutive two-year term in November 2014.[4] Rodella serves as the chair of the House Business & Industry Committee, Interim Chair of the Economic and Rural Development Committee, and a member of both the Voters & Elections and the Rules & Order of Business Committees.[2] In 2013, Rodella voted with Republicans to block a same-sex marriage bill in committee,[5] and against a bill (which passed) to reduce the penalties for the possession of marijuana.[6] Rep. Rodella has been accused of sharing funds contributed to her re-election campaigns with her husband, to use in his own races for political office.[7][8][9]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Debbie Rodella's Biography". Project Vote Smart. 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Representative Debbie A. Rodella - (D-41)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  3. Stiny, Andy (September 26, 2014). "Rio Arriba Sheriff Tommy Rodella found guilty on both counts". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  4. Debbie Rodella Election Results Ballotpedia.org
  5. Simonich, Milan (February 21, 2013). "NM House committee defeats gay marriage proposal". El Paso Times. Retrieved November 21, 2013.
  6. Terrell, Steve "House passes bill that makes marijuana penalties in New Mexico less harsh" Las Cruces Sun-Nws, March 11, 2013
  7. Jones, Jeff (August 5, 2007). "Wife Filled Rodella Coffers". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  8. Salazar, Martin (June 7, 2006). "Rodellas Appear To Win in Rio Arriba". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 2, 2014.
  9. Terrell, Steve (August 16, 2014). "Rodella's political resilience could falter after FBI arrest". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved November 2, 2014.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, November 30, 2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.