Sanchez, the youngest of eight children, was born and raised in North Valley, New Mexico. Sanchez's great-great grandfather was a territorial legislator in 1860, and his grandfather served as a state representative in 1930.
Career
In 1997, Sanchez was elected Trustee for the Village of Los Ranchos.
Sanchez, a one-time flight attendant and real estate agent,[4] started Right Way Roofing, a small business in Albuquerque, after high school. In 1993, Right Way Roofing was named Small Business of the Year by the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce.
Also on May 24, 2011, Governor of New MexicoSusana Martinez stated that she would restrict Sanchez's activities to only those required by the Constitution of the State of New Mexico. In a press release, the Governor stated, "To prevent this race from becoming a distraction, Lt. Governor Sanchez will not be given responsibilities in my administration beyond the select few provided for in the state Constitution."[14]
Following the June 30, 2011 Federal Election Commission deadline, the Sanchez campaign reported having raised $312,000 during the period.[15] Of that amount, Sanchez loaned himself $200,000. He raised a total of $126,000 from 78 individuals and six Limited liability company (LLCs).[16]
The FEC sent the Sanchez campaign a letter indicating that his July Quarterly Report included "one or more contributions that appear to exceed the limits" of federal law.[17] Sanchez accepted two donations from a Limited Liability Company in addition to donations from the LLC's owner.
Sanchez's campaign raised $164,059.79 in contributions[18] other than loans during the third quarter,[19] compared to $231,144.00 raised by Greg Sowards[20] and $532,228.18 raised by Heather Wilson.[21] New Mexico political blogger Heath Haussamen concluded that Sanchez "hasn’t proven that he can raise or spend the money to compete."[22] National Journal included Sanchez in its "Losers" section for Senate fundraising during the quarter.[18] Sanchez latest disclosure [19] shows that his campaign has raised a net of $31,293 ($248,898 latest cash on hand; $217,605 debts owed), compared to Sowards'[20] -$366,869 ($496,732 cash on hand; $863,601 debts owed) and Wilson's[21] $952,898 ($952,898 cash on hand; $0 debts owed).
The Sanchez campaign received an endorsement from U.S. Senator Rand Paul in late September 2011.[23] Paul's endorsement was announced quickly after Sanchez's primary election opponent, Greg Sowards, announced his own endorsement from Tea Party icon and former Nevada U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle.[24]
Sanchez withdrew his Senate bid on February 9, 2012.[25]
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