Tom Udall

Tom Udall
Born	Thomas Stewart Udall 5/18/1948
Birthplace	Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Diplomat, attorney, politician
Title	United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa
Known for	U.S. Senator from New Mexico (2009–2021), U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2021–2025)
Education	University of New Mexico (JD)
Spouse(s)	Jill Cooper
Children	1
Awards	None listed
Website	https://nz.usembassy.gov/former-ambassador-udall/

Thomas Stewart Udall (born May 18, 1948) is an American diplomat, attorney, and politician who served for over three decades in public office at the state and federal levels. A member of the Democratic Party, Udall represented New Mexico as its 28th Attorney General from 1991 to 1999, as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 3rd congressional district from 1999 to 2009, and as a United States Senator from 2009 to 2021. Following his retirement from the Senate, he was nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, a post he held from late 2021 until January 2025. Born into the prominent Udall political family of the American Southwest, Tom Udall is the son of former U.S. Representative and Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall and the nephew of former U.S. Representative Mo Udall. His cousin, Mark Udall, served simultaneously as a U.S. Senator from Colorado. Throughout his career, Udall became known for his legislative work on environmental conservation, campaign finance reform, Native American affairs, and efforts to address plastic pollution. Upon leaving the Senate, he was the dean of New Mexico's congressional delegation and the only Democratic senator to retire in the 2020 election cycle.

Early Life

Thomas Stewart Udall was born on May 18, 1948, in Tucson, Arizona, into one of the most prominent political families in the American West. His father, Stewart Udall, served as a U.S. Representative from Arizona from 1955 to 1961 and then as Secretary of the Interior under Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson from 1961 to 1969. His uncle, Mo Udall, represented Arizona's 2nd congressional district from 1961 to 1991 and was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1976. The Udall family's roots in politics and public service in the Southwest stretch back several generations.

Growing up in a household deeply engaged in public affairs and environmental stewardship, Udall was exposed from an early age to the intersection of politics, law, and conservation. His father's tenure as Secretary of the Interior was marked by significant expansions of the national parks system and landmark environmental legislation, experiences that shaped the younger Udall's worldview and later policy priorities.

Tom Udall's cousin, Mark Udall, would go on to serve as a U.S. Senator from Colorado from 2009 to 2015, meaning that for a period of six years, two members of the Udall family served simultaneously in the United States Senate representing neighboring states—an unusual distinction in American political history.

Education

Udall pursued a varied and international educational path. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Prescott College in Arizona. He subsequently studied law at Downing College, Cambridge, in England, where he received a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. He completed his legal education at the University of New Mexico School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctor (JD) degree. This combination of liberal arts education, international legal study, and training at a New Mexico institution provided Udall with both a broad intellectual foundation and deep roots in the state he would go on to represent for decades.

Career

Attorney General of New Mexico (1991–1999)

Udall's entry into elected office came in 1990 when he was elected as the 28th Attorney General of New Mexico. He served in this capacity for two terms, from January 1, 1991, to January 1, 1999, under Governors Bruce King and Gary Johnson. As attorney general, Udall was the state's chief legal officer, responsible for representing the interests of New Mexico in legal proceedings and overseeing law enforcement coordination. His eight years in the position gave him extensive experience in state government and legal affairs that would serve as a foundation for his subsequent career in federal office.

U.S. House of Representatives (1999–2009)

In 1998, Udall ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in New Mexico's 3rd congressional district, a seat that had been held by Republican Bill Redmond. Udall won the election, reclaiming the seat for the Democratic Party. He took office on January 3, 1999, and went on to serve five terms in the House, representing the 3rd district—which encompasses the northern portion of New Mexico, including Santa Fe and much of the state's Native American tribal lands—until January 3, 2009.

During his decade in the House, Udall established himself as a legislator focused on environmental protection, public lands management, Native American issues, and campaign finance reform. The 3rd district's diverse constituency, which included significant Native American populations, Hispanic communities, and the scientific community centered around Los Alamos National Laboratory, required attention to a wide range of policy concerns. Udall's voting record during this period reflected generally progressive positions on environmental and social issues.

His successor in the House seat was Ben Ray Luján, who would later follow a similar path to the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Senate Campaign (2008)

In late 2007, Udall announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by long-serving Republican Pete Domenici, who had represented New Mexico in the Senate since 1973. Udall's entry into the race was widely anticipated given his name recognition, family legacy, and decade of experience in the House.

Udall won the Democratic primary in June 2008. He went on to win the general election in November 2008 by a substantial margin, succeeding Domenici and joining a historic Democratic wave that accompanied the election of President Barack Obama.

U.S. Senate (2009–2021)

Udall was sworn into the Senate on January 3, 2009. He was re-elected in 2014 and served until January 3, 2021, completing two full terms. Over his twelve years in the Senate, Udall became one of New Mexico's most influential federal representatives and eventually served as the dean of the state's congressional delegation.

Campaign Finance Reform

One of Udall's signature issues in the Senate was campaign finance reform. He introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would have given Congress and state legislatures the authority to regulate and limit the raising and spending of money in elections. This effort was part of a broader Democratic response to the Supreme Court's 2010 decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, which struck down certain restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations and other groups. Udall's amendment, while ultimately unsuccessful in achieving the two-thirds supermajority required for passage, represented one of the most prominent legislative efforts to address the ruling's impact on American elections.

Native American Affairs

Udall served as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs from January 3, 2017, to January 3, 2021, succeeding Jon Tester in the position and being succeeded by Lisa Murkowski. His work on the committee was shaped by the significant Native American population in New Mexico and his longstanding engagement with tribal issues dating back to his time in the House.

In his capacity on the committee, Udall championed legislation related to tribal sovereignty, resource management, and the protection of Native American cultural heritage. He participated in hearings on tribal resources legislation and advocated for increased federal funding and support for tribal communities.

Upon leaving the Senate, Udall reflected on his work in Indian Country, describing it as central to his legislative career. He noted the importance of the government-to-government relationship between the United States and tribal nations and the need for continued investment in Native American communities.

Environmental Policy and Plastic Waste

Environmental protection was a consistent theme throughout Udall's Senate career. He worked on legislation related to public lands conservation, clean energy, and climate change. In his later years in the Senate, Udall became one of the most prominent congressional voices on the issue of plastic pollution.

In February 2020, Udall participated in a public conversation hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) focused on addressing plastic waste. The discussion centered on legislative approaches to reducing plastic pollution, including the "Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act," which Udall introduced in the Senate. The legislation proposed a comprehensive framework for addressing the growing crisis of plastic waste in the environment, including provisions related to producer responsibility, recycling infrastructure, and restrictions on certain single-use plastic products.

Other Legislative Work

Udall was involved in a range of other legislative initiatives during his Senate tenure. He co-sponsored and supported legislation on energy policy, including measures related to renewable energy development on public lands. He also worked on legislation related to natural resources, supporting bills that addressed water rights, wildfire management, and conservation efforts in the American West.

Decision Not to Seek Re-election

In March 2019, Udall announced that he would not seek a third term in the Senate in the 2020 election cycle. His decision made him the only Democratic senator to retire that cycle. His seat was subsequently won by Ben Ray Luján, his former successor in the House, who defeated Republican Mark Ronchetti in the November 2020 general election.

U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa (2021–2025)

On July 16, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Udall to serve as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. He was confirmed by the Senate and began his tenure as Ambassador to New Zealand on December 2, 2021, and as Ambassador to Samoa on February 17, 2022. He succeeded Scott Brown, who had served as ambassador under the Trump administration.

As ambassador, Udall represented the United States in its diplomatic relationships with New Zealand and Samoa, focusing on strengthening ties in the Pacific region. He and his wife, Jill Cooper, adjusted to life in the South Pacific, with both engaging in the cultural life of their host countries. A 2024 profile in the Santa Fe New Mexican described how art helped the couple adapt to their new setting, with both Udalls developing an appreciation for the arts and culture of the Pacific region.

The U.S. Embassy described Udall's tenure as ambassador as part of "a long and distinguished career in public service championing the interests of Native American groups as well as conservation."

Udall left his ambassadorial post on January 14, 2025, with David Gehrenbeck serving as Chargé d'affaires following his departure.

Post-Ambassadorial Activity

Following his return to New Mexico in 2025, Udall has remained engaged in state politics. In September 2025, he endorsed Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, in the Democratic primary for New Mexico governor. The endorsement marked his first public political endorsement since returning from diplomatic service. The Albuquerque Journal reported that Udall had kept "a low public profile" since returning from his ambassadorial posting. The endorsement was also covered by the New Mexico Political Report, which noted Udall's long history of championing issues important to Indian Country—a record he shared with Haaland.

In October 2025, Udall participated in a panel discussion at the University of Arizona regarding downwinders and the consequences of atomic testing in the United States, a subject with deep connections to New Mexico's history and his family's legacy in environmental and public health advocacy.

Personal Life

Udall is married to Jill Cooper. The couple has one child. Though born in Tucson, Arizona, Udall established his home and career in New Mexico, where he has resided for decades. He and his wife are known to have an interest in the arts; during their time in New Zealand, they were profiled engaging with local art and culture.

The Udall family is one of the most prominent political dynasties in the American West. Tom Udall's father, Stewart Udall, served in the U.S. House and as Secretary of the Interior. His uncle, Mo Udall, served in the House for three decades and ran for president. His cousin, Mark Udall, served as a U.S. Senator from Colorado. The family's roots in Arizona and the broader Southwest, combined with their multi-generational involvement in public service, have made the Udall name synonymous with western American politics, environmental conservation, and public lands advocacy.

Legacy

Tom Udall's career spans more than three decades of public service at the state, federal, and diplomatic levels. As New Mexico's Attorney General, a five-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, a two-term U.S. Senator, and a U.S. Ambassador, he accumulated a record that touched on many of the defining policy debates of his era—campaign finance reform, environmental protection, Native American sovereignty, and the United States' role in the Pacific.

His work on behalf of Native American communities was a consistent thread throughout his career. Serving on the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, including as its Vice Chair during his final four years in the Senate, Udall was instrumental in advocating for tribal sovereignty and federal investment in Indian Country. Native News Online described him as "a champion for Indian Country" upon his endorsement of Deb Haaland for New Mexico governor.

On environmental issues, Udall's efforts to address plastic pollution through the "Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act" represented one of the most ambitious legislative proposals on the subject introduced in Congress. His broader environmental record reflected the influence of his father's legacy as Secretary of the Interior and the Udall family's longstanding commitment to conservation.

As a member of one of the most notable political families in the American West, Tom Udall's career is part of a broader multi-generational story of public service. The simultaneous service of Tom Udall and Mark Udall in the U.S. Senate from 2009 to 2015, representing New Mexico and Colorado respectively, underscored the family's enduring influence on western American politics.