Teresa Leger FernandezServing

Teresa Leger Fernandez

U.S. HouseDemocrat

NM-03 U.S. House

Age 66·Nuevomexicano (17th-generation New Mexican with Pueblo and Apache ancestry)·U.S. Representative, NM-03 (2021-present)

Why This Race Matters

Teresa Leger Fernandez is running against Martin Zamora (R, State Rep. HD-63).

Leger Fernandez was the first woman and first Latina elected to NM-03 since the district's creation in 1983. She's seeking her fourth term in a D+3 district rated Solid Democratic by all major forecasters.

Facing Republican State Rep. Martin Zamora, a farmer/rancher from Clovis who has served four terms in the NM House. Democrats hold a 14-point voter registration advantage in the district. Leger Fernandez entered October with $550,648 cash on hand vs. Zamora's $225,676.

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Teresa Isabel Leger Fernandez is a 17th-generation New Mexican attorney and congresswoman representing NM-03 since 2021. Born in Las Vegas, New Mexico, she was part of the state's first Head Start class. A breast cancer survivor who lost two brothers to addiction, she built her career fighting for rural communities, tribal sovereignty, and voting rights. She served as a White House Fellow under Clinton and on the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation under Obama.

Family & Heritage

Born in Las Vegas, New Mexico to a large rural ranching and farming family. Mother Mela Leger was a bilingual education pioneer; father Ray Leger served in the New Mexico State Senate. Her family has roots in both land and cultural traditions of northern New Mexico spanning 17 generations, with Pueblo and Apache heritage. Mother of three sons from her marriage to Luis Fernandez.

Political Career

Before Politics

Public interest attorney specializing in community development and tribal advocacy; Partner at Nordhaus Law Firm LLP (1989-2013); Founded Leger Law & Strategy LLC (2013); White House Fellow under Clinton (housing policy); Vice Chair of Advisory Council on Historic Preservation under Obama; Vice Chair of MALDEF board; President of bilingual theater company

Education

B.A. from Yale University; J.D. from Stanford Law School

Key Issues & Priorities

*Water and acequia rights
*Tribal sovereignty
*Rural healthcare and broadband
*Affordable housing
*Voting rights
*Child Tax Credit expansion
*Wildfire recovery
*Sacred site protection

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