Elizabeth Diane Torres-Velásquez is a Democratic Party member serving in the New Mexico House of Representatives. She represents District 30 and assumed office on January 1, 2025. Her current term is set to end on December 31, 2026.
Dr. Torres-Velásquez has dedicated her life to education and public service. She holds a Ph.D. in education from the University of New Mexico, earned in 1988, and has spent decades as an educator and advocate for equitable access to education. Her career includes serving as an Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico, where she specialized in bilingual and multicultural education, learning disabilities, and Latino education. Her work has been recognized for its innovative approaches, including research on teaching methods in correctional facilities and her contributions to curriculum development.
Beyond academia, Dr. Torres-Velásquez has been a tireless advocate for Hispanic education in New Mexico. She played a pivotal role in the landmark lawsuits Martínez and Yazzie v. New Mexico, which sought to ensure equitable public education for all students in the state. Her efforts in this area earned her the MALDEF Excellence in Community Service Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022. She has also worked with organizations like LULAC to promote higher education opportunities for marginalized communities.
In her legislative role, Dr. Torres-Velásquez focuses on key issues such as education reform, water scarcity and sustainability, crime and safety, and economic growth. Her commitment to justice and equality drives her work, and she continues to champion policies that aim to improve the lives of her constituents in District 30 and beyond.
