 Tom Udall is currently serving his fifth term in Congress, representing New Mexico's Third Congressional District. In the House, he has earned a reputation as a thoughtful, principled and effective legislator and is known for reaching across party lines to find common ground, for speaking his conscience, for being an independent leader, and for getting things done for his constituents and the nation.
Udall has worked extensively on a number of issues. He has led efforts in the House to preserve the Valle Vidal in northern New Mexico for public access and enjoyment, to open a community-based veterans outpatient clinic in Santa Fe, to create a National Historic Trail to honor Native Americans of the Long Walk, to repeal the most egregious sections of the PATRIOT Act, and to designate the Ojito Wilderness Area. Tom has worked to ensure that the No Child Left Behind Act receives adequate federal funding, to improve economic development opportunities in northern New Mexico, and to lead national efforts that expand preventive health care services - a goal that is critical to New Mexico's Hispanic and Native American communities.
Udall serves on the House Appropriations Committee's Subcommittees on the Interior and Environment; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and, the Legislative Branch. He is also the Co-Vice Chair of the House Native American Caucus and a member of the Bipartisan Rural Caucus, the Democratic Hispanic Working Group, the Education Task Force, and the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, among others.
From 1991 to 1999, Udall served as New Mexico's Attorney General; he was the first to serve two consecutive four-year terms. He made a powerful impact with his tough stands on domestic violence, drunk driving, political corruption, campaign finance reform, and abuses by special interest groups. He attacked deceptive trade practices and blocked public utility rate increases. Udall fought for better education for New Mexico's children and effective protection for consumers, especially seniors. During his AG tenure, he was elected President of the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).
Udall comes from a family distinguished for its devotion to public service. His family arrived in the Southwest in the
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Stewart & Ermalee Udall with their children,
Tom (center), Lynn, Scott, Lori, Denis and Jay,
in 1954. |
1800s. His father, Stewart Udall, was elected four times to Congress before being appointed Secretary of the Interior by Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Tom's uncle Morris "Mo" Udall served in Congress for 30 years and was a major presidential contender in 1976. Representative Mark Udall (D-CO) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) are Tom's cousins and current members of Congress.
Tom Udall graduated from Prescott College in 1970. In 1975, he graduated from Cambridge University in England with a Bachelor of Law degree. That fall, he enrolled in the University of New Mexico School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1977. After graduating, Tom Udall was Law Clerk to Chief Justice Oliver Seth of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals. Tom's legal career then included appointments as Assistant US Attorney in the criminal division and Chief Counsel to the Department of Health and Environment. A partnership followed in the Miller Law Firm, which has offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Farmington.
Tom is married to Jill Z. Cooper, and they have a daughter, Amanda. Tom and Jill live in Santa Fe. Amanda and her husband, James Noel, live in Corrales.
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About Tom 
