Balderas named one of 100 most influential Hispanics

State Auditor Hector Balderas has been named one of the nation’s 100 most influential Hispanics by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Balderas was prominently featured among those who made this year’s list.

“Mr. Balderas was elected to his current post in November, becoming the youngest Hispanic statewide elected official in the nation at age 33,” his profile in the publication states. “A former criminal prosecutor in Albuquerque, at age 30 he ran for and won a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives. He recently traveled to Pakistan as a delegate for the American Council of Young Political Leaders.”

Now 34, Balderas said he is “proud to be included in Hispanic Business Magazine’s prestigious list of esteemed professionals.”

“As an elected official, I’m always searching for innovative methods to improve government practices and increase productivity,” he said. “Being recognized by Hispanic Business for my achievements is an honor.”

Balderas has made waves in his first nine months as auditor, most notably for using the subpoena power granted to the office to obtain records as part of an investigation in Sandoval County, the first time in recent memory that such authority has been used. He has also created a hotline for the reporting of misuse of public money, secured funding for two investigators to help make cases ready for prosecution and worked to create incentives for local governments to complete annual audits in a timely manner.

“As state auditor, I will continue to promote government accountability and creative solutions to maximize public resources,” Balderas said. “When government acts responsibly, New Mexicans benefit across the board.”

Hispanic Business Magazine annually recognizes the top 100 Hispanics from a cross-section of professional backgrounds in the private and public sector. Balderas joins honorees on this year’s list including Eastman Kodak Company CEO and Chairman Antonio M. Perez, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez and Hilary Clinton for President Campaign Manager Patti Solis-Doyle.

Also making the list was Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez, a likely 2010 gubernatorial candidate, but, with all the positive attention Albuquerque has received in recent years, that was no surprise. In naming Chávez, the magazine cited reduced crime and water use in Albuquerque since he took office and the national attention Albuquerque has received.