Chuck Franco Explained
Charles Anthony Franco (born 1955) is an American politician. He was a game warden, police officer, Undersheriff for Doña Ana County, Judge on the Dona Ana County Magistrate Court, and the First Gentleman of New Mexico.[1] [2]
Early life and education
Franco was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, graduating from Las Cruces High School and earning a degree in criminal justice from New Mexico State University. He has an older brother and younger sister.[3]
Personal life
From 1991 to 2019, Franco was married to former Governor Susana Martínez.[4] Through Franco's job as an undercover investigator, he met Martinez while she was an assistant district attorney.[5] The two married in 1991.[6] Franco has one son, Carlo, who served in the United States Navy.[7] Franco is an advocate for Horses for Heroes and the Youth Diagnostic Development Center in Albuquerque."[8] Franco is a longtime supporter of the Weed and Seed program of the Community Capacity Development Office.[9] Franco is a hunter and fisherman.[10] [11] In 1995, Martinez and he changed their affiliation from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.[12] [13] [14]
Career
Franco graduated from the police academy in 1978.[15] Franco has been a law enforcement officer for more than 30 years, and served as the Doña Ana County Undersheriff.[16] Franco began working in law enforcement, starting as a game warden.[17] In 1996, Franco ran for a position as Magistrate judge in Doña Ana County.[18] He won, and served for three years.[19] [20] During his career, Franco has worked for "the Las Cruces Police Department, the city's Weed and Seed program and the New Mexico State University Police Department."[21] Franco was a police detective when the Las Cruces Bowling Alley massacre occurred.[22] "As part of the investigation, he had to videotape the scene."[23]
In 1992, Martínez was fired by then District Attorney Greg Valdez. Valdez stated that Martínez brought in a case that Franco was working on.[24] "A potential conflict of interest between Martínez and Franco was an issue in the late 1990s, when she first became district attorney. Franco was a magistrate judge, and some cases being prosecuted by the district attorney's office were assigned to him. Franco was running for re-election in 1996, the same year Martínez first ran for DA. His Democratic opponent and others said there would be a conflict if both were elected. But Franco and Martinez said Franco would recuse himself from all cases involving the DA's office."[25] Franco's relationship with Martinez was twice raised as a concern when, as District Attorney, "she had to decide whether officer-involved shootings were justified."[26]
Franco was a member of Martínez' search team for members of the New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.[27]
Presently, Franco is a retired career cop.[28] From January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2019, he served in the role of First Gentleman of New Mexico.[29] [30]
In October 2018 Franco took a job with the Doña Ana County Assessor's office in Las Cruces.[31]
New Mexico Coalition for Literacy
Adult literacy is one of three main causes to which Franco has decided to dedicate his time.[32] New Mexico Coalition for Literacy is "a cause close to his heart from his work in Las Cruces under the federally funded Weed and Seed program to help at-risk youths. There he saw firsthand how improving reading skills helped kids succeed in school."[33] Franco stated that "'supporting the New Mexico Coalition for Literacy also complements Gov. Susana Martinez' push to improve K-12 education in the state'"[34] Franco observed, while working with troubled youth, "that their issues ran beyond behavioral problems. Having parents at home who couldn't read was one of them."[35]
External links
Notes and References
- http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/apfrancofarewell12-10-10.htm#ixzz1vnxDvJmi Dona Ana County Bids Farewell to Franco
- Web site: Sheriff's department asks residents to do what they can to help curb gang violence . 2019-11-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180406230105/http://www.albuquerqueexpress.com/index.php?sid%2F9478890%2Fscat%2Fd867a54a6fc00b3b . 2018-04-06 . dead .
- http://www.abqjournal.com/news/state/apfrancofarewell12-10-10.htm#ixzz1vnxDvJmi Dona Ana County Bids Farewell to Franco
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Franco-lends-support-to-adult-literacy-coalition Franco lends support to adult literacy coalition
- http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/Spotlights-on-NM%27s-%22%27First-gentleman%22- Spotlights on NM's "First gentleman" Chuck Franco makes history
- http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/10/12/is-susana-martinez-married/ Is Susana Martinez Married?
- News: Nash . Kate . Doña Ana County undersheriff to blaze new trail as governor-elect's sidekick . November 14, 2020 . The New Mexican . November 3, 2010.
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Franco-lends-support-to-adult-literacy-coalition Franco lends support to adult literacy coalition
- http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/10/02/upfront/just-plain-chuck.html Just Plain Chuck
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/local%20news/The-first-gentleman-Do-amp-ntilde-a-Ana-County-undersheriff-to-blaze-new-t Doña Ana County undersheriff to blaze new trail as governor-elect's sidekick
- http://www.abqjournalsage.com/2011/01/01/new-era-gov-susana-martinez/ From bordertown neighborhood to state’s highest elected office
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/local%20news/The-first-gentleman-Do-amp-ntilde-a-Ana-County-undersheriff-to-blaze-new-t Doña Ana County undersheriff to blaze new trail as governor-elect's sidekick
- https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-jan-01-la-na-susana-martinez-20110101-story.html A rising GOP star in Santa Fe
- http://www.economist.com/node/21541856 How to grab them
- Web site: Chuck Franco, The First Gentleman . 2012-05-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120521142327/http://www.governor.state.nm.us/The_First_Gentleman.aspx . 2012-05-21 . dead .
- Web site: Franco Is New Mexico's "First Gentleman" . KRWG . 6 November 2010 . November 14, 2020.
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/local%20news/The-first-gentleman-Do-amp-ntilde-a-Ana-County-undersheriff-to-blaze-new-t Doña Ana County undersheriff to blaze new trail as governor-elect's sidekick
- http://newmexicoindependent.com/42514/martinez-i%E2%80%99ll-make-the-tough-%E2%80%93-and-ethical-%E2%80%93-decisions Martinez: I’ll make the tough – and ethical – decisions
- http://www.lascrucesmagazine.com/html/2009spring/lifestyle-1.html Man of Respect: Undersheriff Chuck Franco
- http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2010/09/martinez%E2%80%99s-marriage-to-cop-has-led-to-conflict-allegations/ Martinez’s marriage to cop has led to conflict allegations
- https://archive.today/20120913231231/http://www.santafenewmexican.com/local%20news/Tough-talking-prosecutor--GOP-upstart-works-to-prove-she-s-read/ Susana Martinez works to prove she's ready for state's top job
- http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14474390 20 years later, Las Cruces bowling alley murders a lingering mystery
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/local%20news/The-first-gentleman-Do-amp-ntilde-a-Ana-County-undersheriff-to-blaze-new-t Doña Ana County undersheriff to blaze new trail as governor-elect's sidekick
- https://archive.today/20120913231231/http://www.santafenewmexican.com/local%20news/Tough-talking-prosecutor--GOP-upstart-works-to-prove-she-s-read/ Susana Martinez works to prove she's ready for state's top job
- http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2010/09/martinez%E2%80%99s-marriage-to-cop-has-led-to-conflict-allegations/ Martinez’s marriage to cop has led to conflict allegations
- http://www.nmpolitics.net/index/2010/09/martinez%E2%80%99s-marriage-to-cop-has-led-to-conflict-allegations/ Martinez’s marriage to cop has led to conflict allegations
- http://newmexicoindependent.com/66794/oil-and-gas-industry-dominates-martinezs-energy-environment-search-team Oil and gas industry dominates Martinez’s energy & environment search team
- http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/10/02/upfront/just-plain-chuck.html Just Plain Chuck
- Web site: Chuck Franco, The First Gentleman . 2012-05-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120521142327/http://www.governor.state.nm.us/The_First_Gentleman.aspx . 2012-05-21 . dead .
- https://web.archive.org/web/20181205061645/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/nm-governor-husband-unhurt-after-small-plane-makes-hard-landing-at-santa-fe-airport/2012/05/24/gJQAvq72mU_story.html NM governor, husband unhurt after small plane makes hard landing at Santa Fe airport
- News: Haussamen . Heath . New Mexico's first gentleman takes job in Doña Ana County Assessor's office . 4 September 2019 . Las Cruces Sun . 1 October 2018.
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Franco-lends-support-to-adult-literacy-coalition Franco lends support to adult literacy coalition
- http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2011/10/02/upfront/just-plain-chuck.html Just Plain Chuck
- http://www.santafenewmexican.com/Local%20News/Franco-lends-support-to-adult-literacy-coalition Franco lends support to adult literacy coalition
- http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700217212/Govs-husband-pushing-for-literacy-funding.html Gov's husband pushing for literacy funding