Sonya Smith made historical past in 2020 as the primary African American to steer the New Mexico Division of Veterans Companies.
She might do it once more as the primary African American to function New Mexico’s secretary of state.
The previous Cupboard secretary stated Tuesday she shall be looking for the Democratic nomination to turn into the state’s prime election officer, making her the third Democrat to leap into the 2026 race to succeed Maggie Toulouse Oliver, who’s term-limited.
“That is extra than simply an election alternative for me,” Smith, 58, stated in a phone interview Tuesday. “I imagine wholeheartedly that I’ve the skillset, the management and the expertise to make it possible for not solely are we defending our proper to vote however that we proceed with revolutionary methods and techniques to maintain that integrity intact.”
Smith, who plans to formally announce her candidacy Thursday in Albuquerque, joins Doña Ana County Clerk Amanda López Askin and Santa Fe County Clerk Katharine Clark in looking for the Democratic nomination. Thus far, no Republicans or candidates from every other occasion have introduced they’re coming into the race.
Though she does not have elections administration expertise, Smith stated she’s assured she will do the job.
“What I do know is that whereas I’ll not know all the things proper now, I’ve the capability to be taught in a short time,” Smith stated, including she’s additionally a very good listener.
“I do know that that’s prime of thoughts to individuals, you understand? ‘Properly, what’s it that she’s bringing to the desk?’ I’ll not have all of the solutions proper now, however what I do have is the flexibility to get issues executed. My file as Cupboard secretary reveals that,” she stated.
Smith served as Veterans Companies secretary from October 2020 to November 2022 when she stepped all the way down to care for her ailing mom in Virginia. Smith’s mom died in February.
Throughout her tenure, she supported the enactment of an earnings tax exemption for armed forces retirees and oversaw the launch of a transportation program for veterans in rural New Mexico. She additionally elevated the variety of Veterans Companies officers, reinstated a veterans program for girls and established a full-time division tribal liaison to raised help Native American veterans.
Her affirmation wasn’t with out controversy.
Whereas most affirmation hearings draw little consideration, hers sparked outcry when a high-ranking Republican requested Smith questions some stated have been laced with an undercurrent of racism.
“Do you count on that in your time right here, in seven years, that you simply’ve been immersed on this tradition sufficient on this state that you simply really feel comfy coming into a place?” then-Senate Minority Chief Greg Baca of Belen requested Smith.
Baca famous a small share of the state’s inhabitants is African American whereas practically half is Hispanic or a Hispanic combine.
“Do you are feeling like you might be comfy adequately representing each cultures — white, Native, Hispanics?” he requested Smith.
“Are you asking do I really feel comfy representing the Division of Veterans Companies as a Black girl? Is that what you might be asking?” Smith requested Baca, who later apologized for what he characterised as an “insensitive line of questioning.”
Smith stated Tuesday she’s been contemplating working for secretary of state since serving as a Cupboard secretary.
“I imagine strongly in our voice and our votes being our voice,” she stated. “That is simply not enterprise as traditional for us, and we see that each one throughout nation. … Identical to I protected our rights and freedoms once I served within the Air Drive, that is the identical vigor that I’ll have in ensuring that our vote, which is our voice, is protected.”
Earlier than serving as Cupboard secretary, Smith labored as a particular initiatives coordinator for the New Mexico Division of Well being, serving to information the company’s COVID-19 testing staff. Previous to that, she served as director of compliance at Southwest Care Middle in Santa Fe and as scientific compliance supervisor on the College of New Mexico Medical Group, the place she is working once more as a well being care administrator.
A veteran of the Gulf Struggle, Smith served as a medical technician in Operations Desert Protect and Desert Storm as a member of the U.S. Air Drive Reserve. She has a bachelor’s diploma in well being companies administration from Norfolk State College in Norfolk, Va., in addition to a grasp’s in well being care compliance from Argosy College and a grasp’s in well being care administration from the College of Phoenix.