Martin Heinrich

Martin Heinrich
Born	Martin Trevor Heinrich 17 10, 1971
Birthplace	Fallon, Nevada, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Title	United States Senator from New Mexico
Known for	Senior United States Senator from New Mexico
Education	University of Missouri (B.S.)
Spouse(s)	Julie Heinrich
Children	2
Awards	Sierra Club endorsement
Website	[Official Senate website Official site]

Martin Trevor Heinrich (Template:IPAc-en; born October 17, 1971) is an American politician who has served as the senior United States senator from New Mexico since January 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Heinrich first entered Congress as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 2009 to 2013 before winning election to the Senate seat vacated by retiring Senator Jeff Bingaman. His path to national politics began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he served on the Albuquerque City Council from 2004 to 2008, representing the city's 6th district. Born in Fallon, Nevada, and raised in the American West, Heinrich has built a legislative career centered on public lands conservation, energy policy, and national security. He was reelected to the Senate in 2018 and again in 2024, and he became New Mexico's senior senator in January 2021 following the retirement of Tom Udall. Together with fellow senator Ben Ray Luján, Heinrich serves as co-dean of New Mexico's congressional delegation. He currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Early Life

Martin Trevor Heinrich was born on October 17, 1971, in Fallon, Nevada, a small city in Churchill County in the western part of the state. He is of German descent, as reflected by his surname.

Heinrich grew up in an environment shaped by the landscapes and outdoor culture of the American West, experiences that would later inform his legislative priorities around public lands and conservation. He eventually settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he spent much of his adult life and established deep roots in the community. Heinrich has maintained a residence in Albuquerque throughout his political career, in addition to a work residence in Silver Spring, Maryland, near Washington, D.C.

Before entering politics, Heinrich worked as a mechanical engineer and as the executive director of the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, a nonprofit organization in New Mexico focused on outdoor education and environmental stewardship for young people. This professional background in both engineering and conservation laid the groundwork for his dual focus on technology-driven economic development and environmental protection in his subsequent political career.

Education

Heinrich attended the University of Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. His engineering background distinguished him from many of his colleagues in Congress and informed his approach to policy issues involving energy, technology, and scientific research. Heinrich has frequently drawn on his technical training in legislative work related to energy innovation and the national laboratories based in New Mexico, including Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Career

Albuquerque City Council (2004–2008)

Heinrich's entry into elected office came in 2004, when he won a seat on the Albuquerque City Council, representing the 6th district. He served on the council for four years, from 2004 to 2008, during which time he focused on issues affecting the Albuquerque metropolitan area, including urban planning, public safety, and environmental sustainability. His tenure on the city council provided him with experience in municipal governance and established his profile as an emerging Democratic politician in New Mexico.

During his time on the council, Heinrich was appointed by Governor Bill Richardson to serve on the state's bioscience initiative, reflecting his interest in leveraging science and technology for economic development.

U.S. House of Representatives (2009–2013)

In 2008, Heinrich ran for the United States House of Representatives in New Mexico's 1st congressional district, which encompasses the Albuquerque metropolitan area. He won the election, defeating his Republican opponent and flipping the seat for the Democratic Party. Heinrich was recognized by Time magazine as part of its coverage of notable new members of Congress.

Heinrich was reelected to the House in 2010, securing a second term amid a midterm election cycle that was largely unfavorable to Democrats nationally.

During his tenure in the House, Heinrich focused on several key policy areas, including defense, energy, and the environment. New Mexico's 1st congressional district is home to major defense installations, including Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories, and Heinrich positioned himself as a proponent of strong national defense capabilities while advocating for the economic interests of the defense workforce in his district.

Heinrich introduced and supported legislation aimed at promoting renewable energy and reducing the nation's dependence on fossil fuels. He was involved in legislative debates over energy policy, including disputes concerning oil pipeline construction and the payroll tax cut during the 111th and 112th Congresses. He also co-sponsored the National Forest System Trails Stewardship Act and other legislation related to public lands management.

Heinrich received the endorsement of the Sierra Club during his time in Congress, reflecting his environmental record. Former Vice President Al Gore also sent out a fundraising letter on Heinrich's behalf, signaling national Democratic support for the congressman.

2012 U.S. Senate Election

In 2012, rather than seeking a third term in the House of Representatives, Heinrich announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retirement of five-term Democratic Senator Jeff Bingaman. The race was considered one of the more competitive Senate contests of the 2012 election cycle.

Heinrich faced Republican nominee Heather Wilson, a former U.S. representative who had represented New Mexico's 1st congressional district before Heinrich. The campaign focused on issues including energy policy, economic development, and the candidates' contrasting records in Congress. The Sierra Club endorsed Heinrich's Senate candidacy, citing his environmental record in the House.

Heinrich won the general election with approximately 51 percent of the vote to Wilson's 45 percent, securing his transition from the House to the Senate.

U.S. Senate (2013–present)

Heinrich took office as a United States senator on January 3, 2013, succeeding Jeff Bingaman. In the Senate, he has continued to focus on energy policy, public lands conservation, national defense, and economic issues relevant to New Mexico.

Committee Assignments and Leadership

Heinrich has held several significant committee positions during his Senate tenure. He served as Vice Chair of the Joint Economic Committee from February 2021 to April 2023, and then as Chair of the Joint Economic Committee from April 2023 to January 2025. As chair, Heinrich oversaw the committee's examination of economic trends and their impact on American workers and families.

Since January 2025, Heinrich has served as the Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a position of particular significance given New Mexico's role as a major energy-producing state and home to key national laboratories. In this role, he succeeded Senator John Barrasso and has focused on energy policy, public lands management, and conservation issues.

Reelection

Heinrich was reelected to the Senate in 2018 and again in 2024, solidifying his position as a fixture in New Mexico's political landscape. In January 2021, following the retirement of Senator Tom Udall, Heinrich became New Mexico's senior senator. He and Senator Ben Ray Luján, who succeeded Udall, serve together as co-deans of New Mexico's congressional delegation.

Public Lands and Conservation

Conservation and the protection of public lands have been central themes of Heinrich's Senate career. He has consistently advocated for maintaining public access to federal lands in New Mexico and across the West, opposing efforts to transfer federal lands to state control or open them to expanded commercial development.

In February 2026, Heinrich spoke at the annual Public Lands Day rally at the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe, where he rallied a crowd of advocates and fellow elected officials with remarks defending federal public lands. Appearing at the Roundhouse rotunda, Heinrich declared, "They'll never take our public lands from our public hands," underscoring his opposition to federal land transfer proposals under consideration by the Trump administration.

In October 2025, Heinrich and Republican Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana launched the Senate Stewardship Caucus, a bipartisan effort focused on conservation and outdoor recreation policy. Heinrich stated that the caucus was intended to "come together from both sides of the aisle and accelerate the amount of work that we're doing" on stewardship issues.

In February 2026, in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Heinrich highlighted a call from descendants of President Theodore Roosevelt urging protection of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota from mining and development threats.

Appropriations and Federal Funding

Heinrich has worked to secure federal funding for New Mexico through the appropriations process. In November 2025, his office announced that he had secured over $207 million in federal funding for New Mexico, in his capacity as Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch.

Immigration and Child Welfare

Heinrich has taken public positions on immigration policy, particularly regarding the treatment of unaccompanied minors in federal custody. In February 2026, he joined colleagues in demanding answers from the Trump administration regarding the treatment of unaccompanied children, stating that "it is unconscionable that this Administration believes that children belong behind bars."

Trade Policy

In February 2026, Heinrich released a statement applauding a 6–3 decision by the Supreme Court of the United States striking down tariff policies enacted under the Trump administration, emphasizing their negative economic impact on New Mexico.

Personal Life

Heinrich has lived much of his adult life in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he maintains a residence. He also keeps a work residence in Silver Spring, Maryland, to facilitate his duties in Washington, D.C. He is married to Julie Heinrich, and the couple have two children.

Heinrich is an avid outdoorsman, and his interest in hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation has been a recurring element of his public identity and policy agenda. His appearance at the 2026 Public Lands Day rally at the Roundhouse in a camouflage vest over his collared shirt reflected this personal connection to outdoor life. His advocacy for public lands and conservation is frequently connected to these personal interests.

Recognition

Heinrich has received endorsements and recognition from several environmental and conservation organizations over the course of his political career. The Sierra Club endorsed him during his campaigns for both the House of Representatives and the Senate, citing his record on environmental issues.

Time magazine featured Heinrich as part of its coverage of notable incoming members of Congress following his 2008 election to the House of Representatives.

His creation of the bipartisan Senate Stewardship Caucus with Senator Tim Sheehy in 2025 was noted as an example of cross-party collaboration on conservation, a subject area where Heinrich has sought to build coalitions beyond party lines.