Senator Mimi Stewart

Mimi Stewart is a Democratic member of the New Mexico State Senate representing District 17, which comprises portions of Albuquerque in Bernalillo County. Born in Florida, she was raised in Arizona and Colorado before establishing her political career in New Mexico. A retired educator, Stewart has been a prominent figure in New Mexico politics for nearly three decades, known for her progressive approach to legislation and consistent effectiveness in the state legislature.

Education

Stewart earned her bachelor's degree in sociology and history from Boston University. She later obtained her master's degree in education from Wheelock College. Her educational background in teaching informed her career trajectory and legislative focus on education policy.

Political Experience

Stewart began her legislative career in 1995 when she was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives from District 21, where she served for 19 years while simultaneously working as an elementary special education teacher until 2010. In December 2014, she was appointed to the New Mexico State Senate to represent District 17, replacing Tim Keller who had been elected state auditor.

Throughout her legislative career, Stewart has held several key leadership positions, including Senate Democratic Whip and President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico Senate since 2021. She has been recognized as one of the most effective lawmakers in the New Mexico Legislature, having been ranked among the top 10 most effective Democratic legislators in every legislative term since 1997–1998, and recognized as the most effective lawmaker in the entire chamber on three occasions.

Stewart's legislative priorities center on education and environmental protection. As a former public school teacher with expertise in reading instruction, she sponsored New Mexico Senate Bill 398, which requires all first graders to have dyslexia screenings. She has also championed environmental legislation, including the Clear Horizons Act, which aims to reduce New Mexico's greenhouse gas emissions by codifying reduction goals into law.