Michael Sanchez

Michael S. Sanchez (born August 3, 1950) is an American attorney and politician who served in the New Mexico Senate from 1993 to 2016, representing the 29th District (Valencia and Bernalillo Counties). He was defeated in his bid for re-election in 2016.

Sanchez was born in Belen, New Mexico to Gil and Priscilla Sanchez. He is the youngest of four children, including Raymond G. Sanchez, an attorney who served in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Sanchez attended Belen High School and moved to Clarinda, Iowa to attend Iowa Western Community College, where he played baseball and basketball. Sanchez finished school at University of New Mexico. Sanchez then earned a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.

After graduating from law school, Sanchez was admitted to the State Bar of New Mexico.

Before serving as a State Senator, Sanchez served as the county chairman of the Democratic Party in Valencia County. Sanchez was first elected to the State Senate in 1992, and made the Legislative Lottery Scholarship Program one of his main priorities. The Lottery Scholarship was enacted in 1996.

Sanchez served as the Majority Leader of the New Mexico State Senate.

Sanchez married Lynn (Trembly) Sanchez in 1969. They have two sons and a daughter.