SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE MARY KAY PAPEN
Senator Mary Kay Papen (D-38-Dona Ana) has served in the New Mexico Legislature since 2001, representing parts of Dona Ana County. According to Senator Papen, her drive to become a public official comes from her parents instilling in her the need to give back to her community. Beyond her elected position, her community involvement includes volunteering as a board member for La Casa Domestic Violence Shelter, St. Luke’s Health Clinic, the First Step Clinic for Prenatal and Pediatric Care, and the Border Book Festival.
In 2010, Senator Papen became the Senate President Pro Tempore for the State Senate. During the legislative session, she chairs the Senate Committee’s Committee and serves as a member of the Corporations and Indian Affairs Committees. During the interim she co-chairs the Legislative Jobs Council and the Legislative Council; she is also a member of 14 other interim committees. As a state senator, she has championed many important pieces of legislation including mental health insurance benefits, Katie’s Law, affordable housing reform, as well as legislation dealing with water, economic development, horse- racing regulation, public health and education.
Senator Papen was awarded the APA Practice Organization’s Legislator of the Year award in 2012 in recognition of her legislative accomplishments to support behavioral health access and awareness, and promote greater public well-being. Other awards she has received include the New Mexico Senate Milagro Award, America’s Outstanding Women in 1967, the Las Cruces Hispano Chamber of Commerce “Citizen of the Year” in 1995, the New Mexico Community Foundation Luminaria Award in 1997, the Governor’s Award for Outstanding New Mexico Women in 2000, the New Mexico Alliance for the Mentally Ill “Outstanding Legislator” in 2003, and the 2010 NAMI – Domenici Family Award.
Now a retired car-dealership owner and racecar driver in Europe, Senator Papen enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren when she’s not busy tending to state business.
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