Difference between revisions of "Edwin Mechem"
(start) |
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
||
| (38 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | '''Edwin Leard Mechem''' (July 2, 1912 – November 27, 2002) was | + | {{Officeholder |
| + | |name=Edwin L. Mechem | ||
| + | |image=Edwin Mechem.jpg | ||
| + | |party=[[Republican]] | ||
| + | |spouse=Josephine Mechem | ||
| + | |religion= | ||
| + | |offices= | ||
| + | {{Officeholder/misc | ||
| + | |office=Judge of the [[United States District Courts|United States District Court]] for the District of New Mexico | ||
| + | |terms=October 14, 1970 – July 3, 1982 | ||
| + | |preceded=''(none, seat established) | ||
| + | |former=y | ||
| + | |succeeded=Bobby Baldock | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{Officeholder/senator | ||
| + | |state=New Mexico | ||
| + | |terms=November 30, 1962 – November 3, 1964 | ||
| + | |preceded=Dennis Chavez | ||
| + | |status=f | ||
| + | |succeeded=Joseph Montoya | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{Officeholder/governor | ||
| + | |state=New Mexico | ||
| + | |lieutenant=Tom Bolack | ||
| + | |terms=January 1, 1961 – November 30, 1962 | ||
| + | |preceded=John Burroughs | ||
| + | |former=y | ||
| + | |succeeded=Tom Bolack | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{Officeholder/governor | ||
| + | |state=New Mexico | ||
| + | |lieutenant=Joseph Montoya | ||
| + | |terms=January 1, 1957 – January 1, 1959 | ||
| + | |preceded=John F. Simms | ||
| + | |former=y | ||
| + | |succeeded=John Burroughs | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{Officeholder/governor | ||
| + | |state=New Mexico | ||
| + | |lieutenant=Tibo J. Chávez | ||
| + | |terms=January 1, 1951 – January 1, 1955 | ||
| + | |preceded=Thomas J. Mabry | ||
| + | |former=y | ||
| + | |succeeded=John F. Simms | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | {{Officeholder/misc | ||
| + | |office=State Representative from<br>[[New Mexico]] | ||
| + | |terms=1947–1948 | ||
| + | |preceded=??? | ||
| + | |former=y | ||
| + | |succeeded=??? | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | '''Edwin Leard “Big Ed”'''<ref name=nytimes>The Associated Press (November 30, 2002). [https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/30/us/edwin-mechem-90-a-governor-of-new-mexico.html Edwin Mechem, 90, a Governor of New Mexico]. ''Associated Press'' via ''The New York Times.'' Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref><ref name=alamogordonews>Simonich, Milan (December 24, 2011). [https://web.archive.org/web/20141010180517/http://www.alamogordonews.com/ci_19615338 Bill to name courthouse for Edwin Mechem]. ''Alamogordo Daily News'' via ''Internet Archive''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> '''Mechem''' (July 2, 1912 – November 27, 2002) was an [[FBI]] agent and [[Republican Party|Republican]] from [[New Mexico]] who served as the state's [[governor]] and [[U.S. Senator]], previously being a state representative. He was later appointed [[U.S. President]] [[Richard M. Nixon]] to a district court in 1970. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Early life and education== | ||
| + | Mechem was born in southern New Mexico and grew up attending schools in [[Las Cruces]] and Alamogordo. He later went to New Mexico A&M University, where he belonged to the Alpha Delta Theta Fraternity. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Working as a land surveyor in his early career, he later attended the [[University of Arkansas]] and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1939. Mechem also worked as for the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] during the early 1940s before being elected to public office. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Political career== | ||
| + | Mechem was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1946 and served from 1947 to 1948.<ref name=nytimes/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Governor of New Mexico=== | ||
| + | Mechem successfully ran for governor in 1950,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=173704 NM Governor]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> and was re-elected in 1952.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=173705 NM Governor]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> After a failed Senate bid in 1954,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=91487 NM US Senate]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> he was elected governor again in 1956,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=173707 NM Governor]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> having defeated [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] incumbent John Field Simms, Jr.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1975/04/12/archives/john-f-simms-58-exgovernor-dies-new-mexico-democrat-won-with.html JOHN F. SIMMS, 58, EX‐GOVERNOR, DIES]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> Very narrowly defeated for re-election in 1958,<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=173708 NM Governor]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> he ran yet again and won in 1960.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=174477 NM Governor]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | As governor, Mechem worked to investigate the murder of Ovida "Cricket" Coogler, a waitress from Las Cruces.<ref name=alamogordonews/> However, the case remains unsolved. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===U.S. Senate=== | ||
| + | After the death of incumbent Democrat senator Dennis Chavez, Gov. Mechem appointed himself to fill the vacant seat. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Mechem was one of six Senate Republicans (the others being [[Barry Goldwater]] of [[Arizona]], [[Bourke Hickenlooper]] of [[Iowa]], [[Milward Simpson]] of [[Wyoming]], [[Norris Cotton]] of [[New Hampshire]], and [[John Tower]] of [[Texas]]) who voted against the final passage of the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/s409 HR. 7152. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> He asserted that his objections were towards the sections of the legislation regarding fair employment and public accommodations.<ref>[https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0619.html Civil Rights Bill Passed, 73-27; Johnson Urges All To Comply; Dirksen Berates Goldwater]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved May 23, 2021.</ref> Mechem ran for a full Senate term that year but lost the [[general election]] by nine percentage points to the [[liberal]] Democrat Joseph M. Montoya.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29031 NM US Senate]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | He missed 10 percent of all roll call votes during his short Senate tenure.<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/edwin_mechem/407612 Sen. Edwin Mechem]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===District court=== | ||
| + | Mechem was nominated by President [[Richard Nixon]] to a district court in early September 1970, where he served until his death in 2002. He became the senior judge of the court in 1982. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Mechem made several notable rulings on high-profile cases. He found out that there was sex discrimination in the Albuquerque Police Department as well as disabled children in the city being denied an appropriate public education.<ref name=nytimes/><ref name=alamogordonews/> On issues related to [[Native Americans]], he ruled that their lands could not be regulated by statewide fish and game laws, and further granted them the right to sell wares in [[Santa Fe]] at the Palace of the Governors portal. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Legacy== | ||
| + | Even some Democrats in New Mexico regarded Mechem as a "great citizen".<ref name=alamogordonews/> Former Republican U.S. representative [[Steve Pearce]] introduced legislation twice to name a federal courthouse in Las Cruces after him, stating:<ref name=alamogordonews/><ref>ABQJournal News Staff (March 18, 2013). [https://www.abqjournal.com/179743/pearce-wants-court-named-for-mechem.html Pearce wants court named for Mechem]. ''Albuquerque Journal''. Retrieved May 17, 2021.</ref> | ||
| + | {{quotebox-float|Edwin Mechem is an iconic and prolific leader whose legacy should live on in the state. His service to our state as a United States senator, governor and federal judge deserves recognition.}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[U.S. "Party-switch" myth]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | {{reflist}} | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| Line 8: | Line 97: | ||
[[Category:New Mexico]] | [[Category:New Mexico]] | ||
[[Category:Republicans]] | [[Category:Republicans]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Conservatives]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Judges]] | ||
| + | [[Category:New Mexico Governors]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Republican Governors]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Former Governors]] | ||
[[Category:Former United States Senators]] | [[Category:Former United States Senators]] | ||
| + | [[Category:State Representatives]] | ||
Latest revision as of 20:32, June 21, 2023
Edwin Leard âBig Edâ[1][2] Mechem (July 2, 1912 â November 27, 2002) was an FBI agent and Republican from New Mexico who served as the state's governor and U.S. Senator, previously being a state representative. He was later appointed U.S. President Richard M. Nixon to a district court in 1970.
| Edwin L. Mechem | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
| Former Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico From: October 14, 1970 â July 3, 1982 | |||
| Predecessor | (none, seat established) | ||
| Successor | Bobby Baldock | ||
| Former U.S. Senator from New Mexico From: November 30, 1962 â November 3, 1964 | |||
| Predecessor | Dennis Chavez | ||
| Successor | Joseph Montoya | ||
| Former Governor of New Mexico From: January 1, 1961 â November 30, 1962 | |||
| Lieutenant | Tom Bolack | ||
| Predecessor | John Burroughs | ||
| Successor | Tom Bolack | ||
| Former Governor of New Mexico From: January 1, 1957 â January 1, 1959 | |||
| Lieutenant | Joseph Montoya | ||
| Predecessor | John F. Simms | ||
| Successor | John Burroughs | ||
| Former Governor of New Mexico From: January 1, 1951 â January 1, 1955 | |||
| Lieutenant | Tibo J. Chávez | ||
| Predecessor | Thomas J. Mabry | ||
| Successor | John F. Simms | ||
| Former State Representative from New Mexico From: 1947â1948 | |||
| Predecessor | ??? | ||
| Successor | ??? | ||
| Information | |||
| Party | Republican | ||
| Spouse(s) | Josephine Mechem | ||
Early life and education
Mechem was born in southern New Mexico and grew up attending schools in Las Cruces and Alamogordo. He later went to New Mexico A&M University, where he belonged to the Alpha Delta Theta Fraternity.
Working as a land surveyor in his early career, he later attended the University of Arkansas and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws in 1939. Mechem also worked as for the Federal Bureau of Investigation during the early 1940s before being elected to public office.
Political career
Mechem was elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1946 and served from 1947 to 1948.[1]
Governor of New Mexico
Mechem successfully ran for governor in 1950,[3] and was re-elected in 1952.[4] After a failed Senate bid in 1954,[5] he was elected governor again in 1956,[6] having defeated Democrat incumbent John Field Simms, Jr.[7] Very narrowly defeated for re-election in 1958,[8] he ran yet again and won in 1960.[9]
As governor, Mechem worked to investigate the murder of Ovida "Cricket" Coogler, a waitress from Las Cruces.[2] However, the case remains unsolved.
U.S. Senate
After the death of incumbent Democrat senator Dennis Chavez, Gov. Mechem appointed himself to fill the vacant seat.
Mechem was one of six Senate Republicans (the others being Barry Goldwater of Arizona, Bourke Hickenlooper of Iowa, Milward Simpson of Wyoming, Norris Cotton of New Hampshire, and John Tower of Texas) who voted against the final passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.[10] He asserted that his objections were towards the sections of the legislation regarding fair employment and public accommodations.[11] Mechem ran for a full Senate term that year but lost the general election by nine percentage points to the liberal Democrat Joseph M. Montoya.[12]
He missed 10 percent of all roll call votes during his short Senate tenure.[13]
District court
Mechem was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a district court in early September 1970, where he served until his death in 2002. He became the senior judge of the court in 1982.
Mechem made several notable rulings on high-profile cases. He found out that there was sex discrimination in the Albuquerque Police Department as well as disabled children in the city being denied an appropriate public education.[1][2] On issues related to Native Americans, he ruled that their lands could not be regulated by statewide fish and game laws, and further granted them the right to sell wares in Santa Fe at the Palace of the Governors portal.
Legacy
Even some Democrats in New Mexico regarded Mechem as a "great citizen".[2] Former Republican U.S. representative Steve Pearce introduced legislation twice to name a federal courthouse in Las Cruces after him, stating:[2][14]
| Edwin Mechem is an iconic and prolific leader whose legacy should live on in the state. His service to our state as a United States senator, governor and federal judge deserves recognition. |
See also
References
- â 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Associated Press (November 30, 2002). Edwin Mechem, 90, a Governor of New Mexico. Associated Press via The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Simonich, Milan (December 24, 2011). Bill to name courthouse for Edwin Mechem. Alamogordo Daily News via Internet Archive. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â NM Governor. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â NM Governor. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â NM US Senate. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â NM Governor. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â JOHN F. SIMMS, 58, EXâGOVERNOR, DIES. The New York Times. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â NM Governor. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â NM Governor. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â HR. 7152. PASSAGE.. GovTrack.us. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â Civil Rights Bill Passed, 73-27; Johnson Urges All To Comply; Dirksen Berates Goldwater. The New York Times. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
- â NM US Senate. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â Sen. Edwin Mechem. Our Campaigns. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
- â ABQJournal News Staff (March 18, 2013). Pearce wants court named for Mechem. Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved May 17, 2021.