Xochitl Torres Small

Xochitl Torres Small is an American attorney and politician who served as a U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2019 until 2021. A member of the Democratic Party, she is recognized for her moderate stance and her focus on issues pertinent to her constituents in New Mexico. Following her tenure in Congress, she was appointed as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development and later served as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture under President Joe Biden.

Early life and career

Xochitl Liana Torres was born on November 15, 1984, in Portland, Oregon. She is the daughter of Marcos and Cynthia "Cynta" Torres, both of whom were educators. Raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, Torres Small identifies as a third-generation Mexican American, which has influenced her perspective and political career.

Her educational journey began at Mayfield High School, where she graduated in absentia while simultaneously earning her International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Waterford Kamhlaba United World College of Southern Africa, located in Mbabane, Eswatini. Following her high school education, she pursued higher education at Georgetown University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service. She later attended the University of New Mexico School of Law, where she obtained her Juris Doctor degree.

Torres Small's early career included a role as a field representative for U.S. Senator Tom Udall from 2009 to 2012. This position allowed her to engage with constituents and understand the legislative process from a practical standpoint. After her time in the Senate office, she served as a federal law clerk in the New Mexico District from 2015 to 2016, further honing her legal expertise. Following her clerkship, she worked as a water attorney with the Kemp Smith law firm, where she focused on legal issues related to water rights and management, a critical concern in New Mexico.

House tenure

In the 2018 elections, Torres Small entered the race for the open United States House of Representatives seat in New Mexico's 2nd congressional district. The seat became available after the Republican incumbent, Steve Pearce, opted not to seek reelection in order to run for governor of New Mexico. In the Democratic primary, Torres Small faced Madeline Hildebrandt and emerged victorious. She then competed against Republican state Representative Yvette Herrell in the general election.

The election was closely contested, with initial results showing Herrell in the lead on election night. However, as more ballots were counted, Torres Small's position improved, leading to her declaration as the winner by the New Mexico Secretary of State on November 7, after all absentee ballots were accounted for. Her campaign was characterized by a moderate Democratic platform, appealing to a broad range of voters in her district.

During her time in office, which began in January 2019, Torres Small was active in various legislative initiatives. In her first week, she participated in a visit to a U.S. Border Patrol station in Alamogordo, New Mexico, highlighting her commitment to addressing immigration and border security issues. Throughout her congressional career, she maintained a focus on local concerns, including agriculture, water rights, and economic development.

In the 2020 presidential election, Torres Small publicly announced her support for Joe Biden, although she expressed some disagreements with his energy policies. Her tenure in Congress saw her sponsor three bills that were enacted into law, and she was noted for her effectiveness in getting her legislation out of committee. According to reports, she missed a minimal percentage of House votes during her time in office.

Torres Small faced a challenging reelection campaign in 2020 against Yvette Herrell, who sought to reclaim the seat. The race was marked by significant campaign spending, with Torres Small outspending her opponent by a substantial margin. Despite this, Herrell won the election with a notable majority, leading to Torres Small's departure from Congress on January 3, 2021.

Legislative focus and committees

During her time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Torres Small served on several important committees that shaped her legislative focus. She was a member of the Committee on Armed Services, where she participated in the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. Her involvement in these committees reflected her interest in national security and military readiness, issues that are particularly relevant to her constituents in New Mexico.

Additionally, Torres Small was a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, serving on the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation and Operations, as well as the Subcommittee on Oversight, Management and Accountability, where she held the position of chair. Her work in these committees allowed her to address critical issues related to immigration, border security, and the management of homeland security resources.

She also served on the Committee on Agriculture, where she was involved in the Subcommittee on Biotechnology, Horticulture, and Research, and the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. This committee work was particularly significant given New Mexico's agricultural economy, and it allowed her to advocate for policies that supported farmers and rural communities.

In addition to her committee assignments, Torres Small was an active member of several caucuses, including the Blue Dog Coalition, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and the New Democrat Coalition. These affiliations underscored her commitment to addressing a diverse range of issues, including economic development, women's rights, and the interests of Hispanic and Latino Americans in Congress.

Following her congressional tenure, Torres Small was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, a position she held from 2021 to 2023. She was later appointed as the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, further extending her influence in agricultural policy and rural development initiatives at the federal level.