Derrick J. Lente is an American politician, attorney, and businessman serving as a member of the
New Mexico House of Representatives. Elected in 2017, Lente represents the 65th district.
Early life and education
Born and raised on the
Sandia Pueblo reservation, Lente attended public schools in
Bernalillo County. After taking courses at
Central New Mexico Community College, Lente earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in intercultural communications and English from the
University of New Mexico. He then earned a
Juris Doctor
The Juris Doctor (J.D. or JD), also known as Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D., JD, D.Jur., or DJur), is a graduate-entry professional degree in law
and one of several Doctor of Law degrees. The J.D. is the standard degree obtained to practice law ...
from the
University of New Mexico School of Law.
Career
After graduating from law school, Lente purchased an employment agency with offices in
New Mexico and
California. The business grew to become one of the largest solely-owned Native American corporations in the United States. Lente sold the business in 2013.
Lente defeated 30-year-incumbent
James Madalena
James Roger Madalena, Sr. (Jemez Pueblo, born October 31, 1948) is an American politician who served as a Democratic member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 65, from January 1985 to January 2017.
Education
Madal ...
in the 2016 Democratic primary, and took office in January 2017. Lente appeared at the
2020 Democratic National Convention
The 2020 Democratic National Convention was a presidential nominating convention that was held from August 17 to 20, 2020, at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and virtually across the United States. At the convention, delegates of ...
to announce the votes of
New Mexico's delegates.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lente, Derrick J.
Democratic Party members of the New Mexico House of Representatives
University of New Mexico alumni
University of New Mexico School of Law alumni
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
21st-century American politicians