Toney Anaya

Toney Anaya (2008)

Toney Anaya (born April 29, 1941 in Moriarty , Torrance County , New Mexico ) is an American politician . He was governor of the state of New Mexico from 1983 to 1987 .

Early years and political advancement

Toney Anaya attended Highlands University and then Georgetown University until 1963 . He then studied at the Washington College of American University Jura. In 1967 he made his law exam there. He also worked for the then US Senator Dennis Chavez and as an employee for the US State Department . Between 1966 and 1969 he was the legal advisor to Senator Joseph Montoya .

In 1971 he worked in the administration for Governor Bruce King . He was then a district attorney in Santa Fe County . He also practiced as a regular lawyer in Santa Fe . Between 1975 and 1978 he was Attorney General of New Mexico.

Governor of New Mexico

In 1982 Anaya was elected as the Democratic Party candidate for the new governor of his state, with almost 53 percent of the vote against the Republican John B. Irick. He began his four-year term on January 1, 1983. As governor, Anaya was strongly against the death penalty . He offered refugees from Latin America asylum in his country and opposed the federal government's new immigration law, which made immigration from these areas difficult.

After the end of his tenure, Anaya was a member of many committees and bodies. Many of them were not for profit and supported Hispanic concerns . He helped determine the further policy of his party and was involved in the free trade agreement in North America. Toney Anaya is married to Elaine Anaya, with whom he has three children.

Web links

• Toney Anaya in the National Governors Association (English)
• Toney Anaya in the nndb (English)