Linda M. Lopez

Linda M. Lopez (born March 13, 1964) is an American politician and businesswoman serving as a member of the New Mexico Senate from the 11th district. Lopez has also served as the chair of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party since 2003. She earned a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration from the College of Santa Fe. While in the legislature, she attended University of New Mexico School of Law but dropped out when her mother fell ill.

Career Lopez previously worked in the human resources department at and Sandia National Laboratories and Albuquerque's Presbyterian Hospital. She has served since 1997 and is the longtime chair of the Senate Rules Committee. She was also the Chairman of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party from 2003 to 2004. She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico in 2010, coming fourth out of five candidates.

Lopez ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in the 2014 New Mexico gubernatorial election. She came in last place in the Democratic primary election: state Attorney General Gary King won the nomination with about 35% of the vote, Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber received about 23%, Lawrence Rael received about 20%, Howie Morales received about 14%, and Lopez received about 8%.

In the Senate, Lopez has supported renewable energy mandates and a moratorium on fracking. A supporter of abortion rights,

Lopez has sponsored legislation in 2019 to create a task force to design a monument at the site of the Battle of Glorieta Pass, an 1862 American Civil War battle in which Union forces beat back a Confederate Army advance.

Personal life Lopez is Roman Catholic. She is divorced and has one son and a daughter.