JC
Serving

Joseph Cervantes

State SenateDemocrat

NM-SD-31 State Senate

New Mexican Hispanic·Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (since 2020)

About

Joseph Cervantes is a New Mexico State Senator representing District 31, serving since 2013. Born in Las Cruces and raised farming near La Mesa in southern Dona Ana County, he is an attorney and architect. He earned a B.A. in architecture from UNM, M.A. from Cal Poly, and J.D. from UNM.

Family & Heritage

Hispano/Nuevomexicano from Las Cruces. Born and raised farming near La Mesa in southern Dona Ana County. Married to Jennifer Cervantes, a New York Times bestselling author. Three daughters: Alex, Bella, and Jules.

Political Career

Before Politics

Architect with Dale Naegle & Associates in La Jolla, CA; attorney at Modrall Sperling in Albuquerque; founded Cervantes Law Firm (1995); co-founded Cervantes Scherr Legate PLC; Dona Ana County Commissioner (1998)

Education

B.A. in Architecture, University of New Mexico, 1983; M.A. in Architecture, California Polytechnic State University, 1985; J.D., University of New Mexico School of Law, 1991

Key Issues & Priorities

*Judiciary reform, water rights and natural resources, conservation, gun trafficking regulation, public safety, border region economic development, agriculture