Tom Udall

{{Short description|American politician and diplomat (born 1948)}}

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Tom Udall

| image = Thomas Stewart Udall, Ambassador to New Zealand.jpg

| caption = Official portrait, 2021

| office = United States Ambassador to Samoa

| president = Joe Biden

| term_start = February 17, 2022

| term_end = January 14, 2025https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18d3EcrUbk/

| predecessor = Scott Brown

| successor = David Gehrenbeck (Chargé d'affaires)

| office1 = United States Ambassador to New Zealand

| president1 = Joe Biden

| term_start1 = December 2, 2021

| term_end1 = January 14, 2025

| predecessor1 = Scott Brown

| successor1 = David Gehrenbeck (Chargé d'affaires)

| jr/sr2 = United States Senator

| state2 = New Mexico

| term_start2 = January 3, 2009

| term_end2 = January 3, 2021

| predecessor2 = Pete Domenici

| successor2 = Ben Ray Luján

| office3 = Vice Chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee

| term_start3 = January 3, 2017

| term_end3 = January 3, 2021

| predecessor3 = Jon Tester

| successor3 = Lisa Murkowski

| state4 = New Mexico

| district4 = {{ushr|NM|3|3rd}}

| term_start4 = January 3, 1999

| term_end4 = January 3, 2009

| predecessor4 = Bill Redmond

| successor4 = Ben Ray Luján

| office5 = 28th Attorney General of New Mexico

| governor5 = Bruce King
Gary Johnson

| term_start5 = January 1, 1991

| term_end5 = January 1, 1999

| predecessor5 = Hal Stratton

| successor5 = Patricia A. Madrid

| birth_name = Thomas Stewart Udall

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1948|5|18}}

| birth_place = Tucson, Arizona, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| party = Democratic

| spouse = Jill Cooper

| children = 1

| relatives = See Udall family

| education = Prescott College (BA)
Downing College, Cambridge (LLB)
University of New Mexico (JD)

| signature = Tom Udall signature.png

| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Senator Tom Udall Calls for Senate Vote on Bipartisan Chemical Safety Reform.ogg|title=Tom Udall's voice|type=speech|description=Udall, as a U.S. senator, speaks on the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act
Recorded May 7, 2015}}

}}

Thomas Stewart Udall ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|j|uː|d|ɔː|l}} {{Respell|YOO|dawl}}; born May 18, 1948) is an American diplomat, attorney, and politician who had served as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as a United States senator for New Mexico from 2009 to 2021. Udall also served as the U.S. representative for {{ushr|New Mexico|3|}} from 1999 to 2009 and New Mexico attorney general from 1991 to 1999. Born in Tucson, Arizona to the Udall family, he 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 is Mark Udall, who concurrently served alongside him in the senate representing the neighboring state of Colorado from 2009 until 2015.

Udall was first elected in the 2008 Senate race and was re-elected in 2014, and became dean of New Mexico's congressional delegation. He did not seek a third term in 2020, making him the only Democratic senator to retire that cycle. On July 16, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Udall to serve as United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.

Early life, education, and law career

{{expand section|with = information about his legal career|date=February 2023}}

Udall was born in Tucson, Arizona, to Ermalee Lenora (née Webb) and Stewart Udall, the Secretary of the Interior from 1961 to 1969.Obituary Los Angeles Times, March 21, 2010; page A39. He is of partial Swiss ancestry on his mother's side.{{cite web |url=http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/udallt.htm |title=Thomas Stewart Udall |website=Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com |access-date=March 25, 2019 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021203448/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~battle/senators/udallt.htm }} He completed his undergraduate education at Prescott College, before going on to receive a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Cambridge and a Juris Doctor from the University of New Mexico School of Law.{{cite web|url = https://thehill.com/people/tom-udall/|title = Tom Udall|website = The Hill|accessdate = February 24, 2023}}

Early political career

In 1982, Udall ran for Congress in the newly created 3rd district, based in the state capital, Santa Fe, and including most of the north of the state. He lost the Democratic primary to Bill Richardson. In 1988, he ran for Congress again, this time in an election for the Albuquerque-based 1st district seat left open by retiring twenty-year incumbent Manuel Lujan Jr., but narrowly lost to Bernalillo County District Attorney Steven Schiff. From 1991 to 1999 he served as Attorney General of New Mexico.{{cite news |title=Ten things to know about Senate hopeful Rep. Tom Udall |url=http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/nov/29/ten-things-know-about-senate-hopeful-rep-tom-udall/ |work=Albuquerque Tribune |date=November 29, 2007 |access-date=November 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071224215231/http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/nov/29/ten-things-know-about-senate-hopeful-rep-tom-udall/ |archive-date=December 24, 2007 }}

U.S. House of Representatives

=Elections=

Udall ran for Congress again in 1998 in the 3rd district against incumbent Bill Redmond, who had been elected in a 1997 special election to replace Richardson. Redmond was a conservative Republican representing a heavily Democratic district, and Udall defeated Redmond 53% to 43%.{{cite news |title=Udall wins Redmond's New Mexico House seat |url=http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/H/03/ |agency=Associated Press |date=November 4, 1998 |access-date=November 11, 2007 |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907170935/http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/1998/states/NM/H/03/ |url-status=live }} He was reelected four more times with no substantive opposition, including an unopposed run in 2002.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

=Tenure=

As a U.S. Representative, Udall was a member of both the centrist New Democrat Coalition and the more liberal Congressional Progressive Caucus. He was a member of the United States House Peak oil Caucus, which he co-founded with Representative Roscoe Bartlett of Maryland.[http://old.globalpublicmedia.com/transcripts/634 Rep. Tom Udall on resource depletion and climate change (transcript)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021203500/http://old.globalpublicmedia.com/transcripts/634 |date=October 21, 2013 }} Global Public Media, December 9, 2005, Post Carbon Institute{{cite web |url=http://bartlett.house.gov/issues/issue/default.aspx? |title=Roscoe G. Bartlett|access-date=October 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925074749/http://bartlett.house.gov/issues/issue/default.aspx |archive-date=September 25, 2012 }}

=Committee assignments=

Udall sat on the United States House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations in the Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies and the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

=Caucuses=

He was the Co-Vice Chair of the House Native American Caucus and Co-Chair of the International Conservation Caucus.{{Citation needed|date=April 2020}}

U.S. Senate

File:Tom Udall official Senate portrait.jpg

=Elections=

In November 2007, Udall announced his run for the Senate seat held by retiring six-term incumbent Republican Pete Domenici.{{cite news |first=Deborah |last=Baker |title=New Mexico Rep. Tom Udall to seek Democratic nomination for Senate |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20071110-1445-newmexico-senate.html |work=Associated Press (SignOnSanDiego.com) |date=November 10, 2007 |access-date=November 11, 2007 |archive-date=December 6, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206170620/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ |url-status=live }} Potential Democratic rival Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez dropped out, handing Udall the nomination. New Mexico's other two members of the House, 1st and 2nd district's Heather Wilson and Steve Pearce, ran in the Republican primary. Pearce won the Republican nomination, and lost to Udall, by 186,606 votes.

While Udall ran for Senate in New Mexico, his younger first cousin, Congressman Mark Udall, ran for the Senate in Colorado. Their double second cousin, incumbent Gordon Smith of Oregon, also ran for reelection. Both Udalls won but Smith lost.

In November 2014 Udall won re-election to his senate seat, defeating Republican Allen Weh by 57,312 votes [https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections_in_New_Mexico,_2014]

=Tenure=

He voted in favor of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, DREAM Act,{{cite news |url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/U000039/key-votes/page2/ |title=Key Votes by Tom Udall – page 2 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021203450/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/U000039/key-votes/page2/ |url-status=live }} American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act, and the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009.{{cite news |url=http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/U000039/key-votes/page3/ |title=Key Votes by Tom Udall – page 3 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=April 11, 2012 |archive-date=October 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021203633/http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/U000039/key-votes/page3/ |url-status=live }}

Udall was one of the first members of Congress to publicly express concern about the possibility of NSA overreach, a year before Edward Snowden's 2013 disclosure of the PRISM program.{{cite news |last1=Sargent |first1=Greg |title=We need more transparency and debate around NSA phone records program |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/06/we-need-more-transparency-and-debate-around-nsa-phone-records-program/ |access-date=August 14, 2014 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=June 6, 2013 |archive-date=August 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819085631/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2013/06/06/we-need-more-transparency-and-debate-around-nsa-phone-records-program/ |url-status=live }}

On March 25, 2019, Udall announced that he would not run for reelection in 2020.{{cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/sen-tom-udall-not-seeking-third-term-2020|title=Sen. Tom Udall won't seek a third term in 2020|author=Lesniewski, Niels|work=Roll Call|date=March 25, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=January 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200124121945/http://www.rollcall.com/news/congress/sen-tom-udall-not-seeking-third-term-2020|url-status=live}}

In November 2020, it was reported that Udall was being considered for Secretary of the Interior in the Biden administration.{{cite news |title=Who Are Contenders for Biden's Cabinet? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/biden-cabinet.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage |access-date=November 11, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=November 11, 2020 |archive-date=November 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115172328/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/11/us/politics/biden-cabinet.html?action=click&module=Top+Stories&pgtype=Homepage |url-status=live }}

=Legislation=

File:Tom Udall Speaking Navajo Council.jpg in Window Rock, Arizona]]

On March 19, 2013, Udall introduced into the Senate the Sandia Pueblo Settlement Technical Amendment Act (S. 611; 113th Congress), a bill that would transfer some land to the Sandia Pueblo tribe.{{cite web |title=S. 611 – Summary |url=http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/611 |publisher=United States Congress |access-date=March 13, 2014 |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314174259/http://beta.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/senate-bill/611 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Chairwoman Cantwell Holds Hearing on Tribal Resources Legislation |url=http://www.tulalipnews.com/wp/2013/05/10/chairwoman-cantwell-holds-hearing-on-tribal-resources-legislation/ |access-date=March 14, 2014 |newspaper=Tulalip News |date=May 10, 2013 |archive-date=March 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314171245/http://www.tulalipnews.com/wp/2013/05/10/chairwoman-cantwell-holds-hearing-on-tribal-resources-legislation/ |url-status=live }}

Also during the 113th Congress, Udall introduced a proposed amendment to the Constitution that would reverse Citizens United and allow limits on outside spending in support of political candidates.{{cite news |title=Senate Democrats Begin Efforts to Amend Constitution |url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/senate_democrats_begin_efforts_to_amend_constitution-233618-1.html |access-date=July 11, 2014 |publisher=Roll Call |date=June 6, 2014 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714234406/http://www.rollcall.com/news/senate_democrats_begin_efforts_to_amend_constitution-233618-1.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Prokop |first1=Andrew |title=A Senate committee just approved a constitutional amendment to reverse Citizens United |url=https://www.vox.com/2014/7/10/5887645/senate-committee-approves-constitutional-amendment-on-campaign-finance |access-date=July 11, 2014 |publisher=Vox |date=July 10, 2014 |archive-date=July 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711214214/http://www.vox.com/2014/7/10/5887645/senate-committee-approves-constitutional-amendment-on-campaign-finance |url-status=live }} The Amendment won the approval of the Senate Judiciary Committee on a 10–8 vote in July 2014.

In December 2014, Udall introduced a resolution condemning the Indonesian mass killings of 1965–66 and calling for the declassification of documents on United States involvement in the genocide.{{Cite web |date=2014-12-12 |title=Indonesia/US: Seek Justice for 1965-66 Mass Killings |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/12/12/indonesia/us-seek-justice-1965-66-mass-killings |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Michaels |first=Samantha |date=October 1, 2015 |title=It's Been 50 Years Since the Biggest US-Backed Genocide You've Never Heard Of |url=https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/10/its-been-50-years-biggest-us-backed-genocide-youve-never-heard/ |access-date=2024-04-25 |website=Mother Jones |language=en-US}}

In March 2015, Udall sponsored S. 697, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, a bill to amend and reauthorize the Toxic Substances Control Act.{{cite web |title=All Bill Information (Except Text) for S.697 – Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/697/all-info |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=April 13, 2015 |date=March 10, 2015 |archive-date=April 13, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150413080518/https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/senate-bill/697/all-info |url-status=live }} The legislation, as amended, was signed into law by President Barack Obama on June 22, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/video/2016/06/22/president-obama-signs-frank-r-lautenberg-chemical-safety-21st-ce-0|title=President Obama signs the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=January 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170129020733/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/photos-and-video/video/2016/06/22/president-obama-signs-frank-r-lautenberg-chemical-safety-21st-ce-0|via=National Archives|work=whitehouse.gov|url-status=live}} It updated the nation's safety system for thousands of chemicals in products like cleaners, paints, carpets and furniture.{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2016/06/08/481284286/congress-passes-largest-chemical-safety-legislation-in-40-years|title=Congress Passes Largest Chemical Safety Legislation In 40 Years|website=NPR.org|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=December 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230063322/https://www.npr.org/2016/06/08/481284286/congress-passes-largest-chemical-safety-legislation-in-40-years|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/22/obama-signs-bipartisan-chemical-safety-bill/86241008/|title=Obama signs bipartisan chemical safety bill|last=Korte|first=Gregory|website=USA Today|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=August 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821191711/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/06/22/obama-signs-bipartisan-chemical-safety-bill/86241008/|url-status=live}} The bill initially faced criticism over the balance between federal and state authority to regulate chemicals, but after changes to the legislation, it earned broader support, including from liberal members of the Senate and the President.{{Cite web|url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/legislative/sap/114/saps2576r_20160523.pdf|title=White House Statement of Administration Policy|date=May 23, 2016|via=National Archives|work=Office of Management and Budget|access-date=September 6, 2016}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-poised-to-pass-sweeping-reform-of-chemical-law/2016/05/18/0da5cd22-1d30-11e6-9c81-4be1c14fb8c8_story.html|title=Congress is overhauling an outdated law that affects nearly every product you own|first1=Juliet|last1=Eilperin|first2=Darryl|last2=Fears|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 19, 2016|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=September 17, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917193236/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/congress-poised-to-pass-sweeping-reform-of-chemical-law/2016/05/18/0da5cd22-1d30-11e6-9c81-4be1c14fb8c8_story.html|url-status=live}} It passed by a vote of 403-12 in the House and voice vote in the Senate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2576?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr2576%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1|title=Congress.gov|date=June 22, 2016|website=Congress.gov|publisher=U.S. Congress|access-date=September 6, 2016|archive-date=September 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160916144831/https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2576?q=%7B%22search%22%3A%5B%22hr2576%22%5D%7D&resultIndex=1|url-status=live}}

In March 2019, he and Rand Paul co-sponsored the bipartisan AFGHAN Service Act to compensate members of the armed forces and repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists at the end of the Afghanistan withdrawal.{{cite web|url=https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/sens-paul-and-udall-introduce-legislation-end-war-afghanistan|title=Sens. Paul and Udall Introduce Legislation to End War in Afghanistan|website=paul.senate.gov|date=March 5, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=September 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929083955/https://www.paul.senate.gov/news/sens-paul-and-udall-introduce-legislation-end-war-afghanistan|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://reason.com/blog/2019/03/05/sens-rand-paul-tom-udall-introduce-bill|title=Sens. Rand Paul, Tom Udall Introduce Bill to End the War in Afghanistan|work=Reason|author=Britschgi, Christian|date=March 5, 2019|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401215225/https://reason.com/blog/2019/03/05/sens-rand-paul-tom-udall-introduce-bill|url-status=live}}

=Committee assignments=

Udall's committee assignments included:{{cite web|title=About Tom|url=https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=about_senator|website=www.tomudall.senate.gov|access-date=April 2, 2016|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329042328/http://www.tomudall.senate.gov/?p=about_senator|url-status=live}}

=Caucuses=

Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus
House Native American Caucus (Co-Vice Chair)
International Conservation Caucus (Co-Chair)
Rural Caucus
Sportsmen's Caucus
Afterschool Caucuses{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|publisher=Afterschool Alliance|access-date=April 17, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012024233/http://www.afterschoolalliance.org/policyCongressionalCaucuses.cfm|url-status=live}}

Political positions

=Gun law=

In 2013, Udall voted for state-by-state reciprocity of concealed carry and for the names of gun owners to be protected and released only in select situations.{{cite news|last1=Weiner|first1=Rachel|title=How almost all the gun amendments failed|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/what-happened-with-gun-amendments-today-everything-failed/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=April 17, 2013|archive-date=October 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005152741/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2013/04/17/what-happened-with-gun-amendments-today-everything-failed/|url-status=live}} In 2016, within weeks of the Orlando nightclub shooting, he participated in a sit-in at the House to demand votes on gun control legislation, saying, "We owe it to the LGBT community & all families harmed by gun violence to keep terror suspects fr[om] obtaining guns."{{cite web|last1=Melton|first1=Tara|title=New Mexico senators speak out about gun reform|url=http://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2016/06/23/new-mexico-senators-speak-out-gun-reform/86305084/|website=Alamogordo Daily News|date=June 23, 2016|access-date=October 5, 2017|language=en|archive-date=December 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206170533/https://www.alamogordonews.com/story/news/local/new-mexico/2016/06/23/new-mexico-senators-speak-out-gun-reform/86305084/|url-status=live}} In 2017, Udall had a "C−" rating from the National Rifle Association and a "F" rating from the Gun Owners of America for his support of gun control.{{cite news|last1=Blake|first1=Aaron|title=Where the Senate stands on guns — in one chart|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2012/12/17/where-the-senate-stands-on-guns-in-one-chart/|newspaper=Washington Post|access-date=October 5, 2017|date=December 17, 2012|archive-date=October 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171004060337/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2012/12/17/where-the-senate-stands-on-guns-in-one-chart/|url-status=live}}

= Environmental issues =

Udall has a lifetime score of 96% from the League of Conservation Voters.{{cite web|url=http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/tom-s-udall|title=Senator Tom Udall|work=League of Conservation Voters|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027183959/http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/tom-s-udall|url-status=live}} In 2018 he received the Sierra Club's top award for public officials, the Edgar Wayburn Award.{{cite web|url=https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2018/10/sierra-club-announces-2018-award-winners|title=Sierra Club Announces 2018 Award Winners|date=October 1, 2018|website=sierraclub.org|access-date=September 20, 2020|archive-date=August 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809121817/https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2018/10/sierra-club-announces-2018-award-winners|url-status=live}}

In September 2019, Udall was one of eight senators to sign a bipartisan letter to congressional leadership requesting full and lasting funding of the Land and Water Conservation Act to aid national parks and public lands, benefit the $887 billion American outdoor recreation economy, and "ensure much-needed investment in our public lands and continuity for the state, tribal, and non-federal partners who depend on them."{{cite news|url=https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2019/09/19/local/tester-daines-push-for-full-funding-of-conservation-fund/525475.html|title=Tester, Daines push for full funding of conservation fund|date=September 19, 2019|publisher=Havre Daily News|access-date=September 20, 2019|archive-date=September 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922142715/https://www.havredailynews.com/story/2019/09/19/local/tester-daines-push-for-full-funding-of-conservation-fund/525475.html|url-status=live}}

In late 2019, Udall co-sponsored the Green New Deal, a policy introduced in the U.S. Senate that would establish net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.{{cite web |title=S.Res.59 |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/59/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded |website=U.S. Senate |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003030903/https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-resolution/59/cosponsors?searchResultViewType=expanded |url-status=live }}

Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa

File:Thomas Udall credentials ceremony 2021.jpg Cindy Kiro (right) at Government House, Wellington to present his credentials as US ambassador on December 2, 2021]]

File:Ambassador Tom Udall attends Te Māori Tū at Waiwhetū Marae and Te Papa Tongarewa on 9 September 2024 - 25.jpg, New Zealand on 9 September 2024]]

On July 16, 2021, President Joe Biden nominated Udall to serve as United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.{{Cite press release |title=President Biden Announces Seven Key Nominations |date=July 16, 2021 |publisher=The White House |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2021/07/16/president-biden-announces-seven-key-nominations-4/ |access-date=July 16, 2021}} On September 22, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2021 |title=PN918 – Nomination of Tom Udall for Department of State, 117th Congress (2021-2022) |url=https://www.congress.gov/nomination/117th-congress/918 |access-date=November 10, 2021 |website=www.congress.gov}} On October 19, his nomination was reported favorably out of committee.{{Cite press release |title=SFRC Approves 33 Critical Foreign Policy Nominations |date=October 19, 2021 |publisher=United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations |location=Washington, D.C. |url=https://www.foreign.senate.gov/press/chair/release/sfrc-approves-33-critical-foreign-policy-nominations- |access-date=November 9, 2021}} The Senate confirmed Udall by voice vote on October 26.{{cite news |last1=Kelly |first1=Laura |title=Senate confirms four Biden ambassadors after delay |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/578574-senate-confirms-four-more-of-bidens-ambassadors |access-date=October 26, 2021 |agency=The Hill |date=October 26, 2021}}

Udall presented his credentials to the New Zealand governor-general, Dame Cindy Kiro, in Wellington on December 2, 2021.{{cite news |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300468735/us-ambassador-tom-udall-excited-to-be-in-new-zealand-ready-to-engage |title=US ambassador Tom Udall excited to be in New Zealand, ready to engage |first=Lucy |last=Craymer |date=December 2, 2021 |work=Stuff |access-date=December 5, 2021}} On February 17, 2022, he virtually presented his credentials to the Head of State of Samoa, Afioga Tuimalealiʻifano Vaʻaletoʻa Sualauvi II.{{Cite tweet |user=USAmbNZ |number=1494106815361318912 |title=I was honored to present my credentials virtually today to the Samoa Head of State}}{{Cite web|date=February 17, 2022|title=Credentialing Ceremony - U.S. Ambassador Tom S. Udall|url=https://ws.usembassy.gov/credentialing-ceremony-u-s-ambassador-tom-s-udall/|access-date=February 24, 2022|website=U.S. Embassy in Samoa|language=en-US}}

Electoral history

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1990 New Mexico Attorney General election}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Udall

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 59,676

| percentage = 35.95

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Patricia Madrid

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 50,875

| percentage = 30.65

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Dick Minzner

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 28,860

| percentage = 17.39

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Patrick Apodoco

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 26,576

| percentage = 16.01

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 165,987

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall

| votes = 265,582

| percentage = 67.59

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = William Davis

| votes = 127,364

| percentage = 32.41

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 392,946

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= 1994 New Mexico Attorney General election

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

| votes = 277,225

| percentage = 60.92

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Donald Bruckner Jr.

| votes = 177,822

| percentage = 39.08

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 455,047

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title = 1998 U.S. House election for New Mexico's 3rd district}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Udall

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 32,533

| percentage = 44.03

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Eric Serna

| votes = 26,340

| percentage = 35.64

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Roman Maes III

| votes = 4,382

| percentage = 5.93

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tony Scarborough

| votes = 3,681

| percentage = 4.98

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Carol Cloer

| votes = 2,631

| percentage = 3.56

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Patricia Lundstrom

| votes = 2,580

| percentage = 3.49

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Francesca Lobato

| votes = 1,251

| percentage = 1.69

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Eric Treisman

| votes = 498

| percentage = 0.67

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 73,896

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall

| votes = 91,248

| percentage = 53.16

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Bill Redmond (incumbent)

| votes = 74,266

| percentage = 43.27

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Green Party (United States)

| candidate = Carol Miller

| votes = 6,103

| percentage = 3.56

}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 32

| percentage = 0.01

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 171,649

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= 2000 U.S. House election for New Mexico's 3rd district}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

| votes = 135,040

| percentage = 67.18

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Lisa Lutz

| votes = 65,979

| percentage = 32.82

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 201,019

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= 2002 U.S. House election for New Mexico's 3rd district}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

| votes = 122,921

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 122,921

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= 2004 U.S. House election for New Mexico's 3rd district}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

| votes = 175,269

| percentage = 68.68

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Gregory Tucker

| votes = 79,935

| percentage = 31.32

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 255,204

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title= 2006 U.S. House election for New Mexico's 3rd district}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

| votes = 144,880

| percentage = 74.64

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| candidate = Ronald Dolin

| votes = 49,219

| percentage = 25.36

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 194,099

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

| loser = Republican Party (United States)

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic Party primary results{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.state.nm.us/08PrimResults/StatewidePrim08.pdf|title=Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 3, 2008 – State of New Mexico |access-date=December 14, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314170523/http://www.sos.state.nm.us/08PrimResults/StatewidePrim08.pdf |archive-date=March 14, 2012 }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Udall

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 141,629

| percentage = 100.00

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 141,629

| percentage= 100.00

}}

{{Election box begin | title=New Mexico's US Senate Election, 2008{{cite web |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateNM |title=2008 Election Statistics |website=Clerk.house.gov |access-date=February 23, 2016 |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629165612/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2008/2008Stat.htm#stateNM |url-status=live }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Udall

|votes = 505,128

|percentage = 61.33%

|change = +26.37%

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Steve Pearce

|votes = 318,522

|percentage = 38.67%

|change = -26.37%

}}

{{Election box majority

|votes = 186,606

|percentage = 22.66%

|change = -7.43%

}}

{{Election box turnout

|votes = 823,650

|percentage =

|change =

}}

{{Election box gain with party link

|winner = Democratic Party (United States)

|loser = Republican Party (United States)

|swing =

}}

{{Election box begin no change

| title = Democratic primary results{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |title=New Mexico - Election Night Results – June 3rd, 2014 |publisher=Electionresults.sos.state.nm.us |date=June 3, 2014 |access-date=July 25, 2014 |archive-date=December 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151228115538/http://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |url-status=live }}

}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 113,502

| percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 113,502

| percentage= 100

}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=New Mexico's US Senate Election, 2014{{cite web |url=http://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |title=Official Results General Election – November 4, 2014 |publisher=New Mexico Secretary of State |date=November 4, 2014 |access-date=January 2, 2015 |archive-date=January 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103014949/http://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY |url-status=live }}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Tom Udall (incumbent)

|votes = 286,409

|percentage = 55.56

}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Allen Weh

|votes = 229,097

|percentage = 44.44

}}

{{Election box total no change

|votes = 515,506

|percentage = 100

}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)

}}

Personal life

Udall and his wife, the former Jill Cooper, have a daughter.{{cite web|url = https://nz.usembassy.gov/ambassador-udall/|title = U.S. Ambassador Thomas Stewart Udall|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211201083904/https://nz.usembassy.gov/ambassador-udall/|archive-date = December 1, 2021|website = U.S. Embassy & Consulate in New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue|accessdate = April 25, 2023}} Tom Udall is the son of former Arizona Congressman and Interior Secretary Stewart Lee Udall, nephew of Arizona Congressman Morris Udall, and first cousin of former Colorado U.S. Senator Mark Udall, double second cousin of former Oregon U.S. Senator Gordon Smith,[http://politicalgraveyard.com/families/11111.html Udall family of Arizona] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604220813/http://politicalgraveyard.com/families/11111.html |date=June 4, 2011 }} at the Political Graveyard, Lawrence Kestenbaum, 2013 and second cousin of Utah U.S. Senator Mike Lee.{{cite news |url=http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/sltrib/pages/printerfriendly.csp?id=50417123 |title=Senate race: Mike Lee ready to ride Senate roller coaster |newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune |author=Lee Davidson |date=October 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915171425/http://www.sltrib.com/csp/cms/sites/sltrib/pages/printerfriendly.csp?id=50417123 |archive-date=September 15, 2013 }}

Udall is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{cite news|url = https://www.deseret.com/2018/2/16/20640425/mitt-romney-is-running-for-senate-here-are-the-mormons-currently-serving-in-congress|title = Mitt Romney is running for Senate; here are the Mormons currently serving in Congress|newspaper = Desert News|date = February 16, 2018|accessdate = April 25, 2023|last = Williams|first = Lindsey}}

References

External links

{{C-SPAN|10075}}{{CongLinks | congbio=u000039 | votesmart=22658 | fec=S8NM00184 | congress=tom-udall/1567 }}
[http://ballotpedia.org/Tom_Udall Biography] at Ballotpedia
[http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/400413 Congressional profile] at GovTrack
[http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00006561 Financial information (federal office)] at OpenSecrets