My name is Michael R. Renteria, and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the position of District Attorney in the Sixth Judicial District of New Mexico. As your next District Attorney, my aim is to protect and serve the good people of Grant, Hidalgo and Luna Counties by implementing the following campaign platform:
I believe that any duly elected or appointed public official is entrusted by the people to improve the condition, safety and overall well-being of the communities they serve. I further believe that effectively working with people requires establishing and maintaining good relationships built on trust and communication. By bringing new energy, integrity and enthusiasm to the position, my goal as your next District Attorney is to unite, cultivate and build open and honest working relationships with all members of the community beginning with my legal staff, local law enforcement, the courts and other key members of the criminal justice system.

One of the overriding reasons I am running for office is because of an overwhelming public response that those committing crimes in our communities need to be held accountable... If elected, I promise to do that. I therefore pledge to work hard daily to improve my team of prosecutors, and help educate and support all law enforcement in the tri-county area charged with upholding and enforcing the laws that serve to protect all citizens in our communities. Together, and with your help as the newly elected chief law enforcement official in the District, I believe we can make a lasting and meaningful difference.

I was born and raised in Deming, N.M., and have spent nearly my entire life contributing and impacting this small town community. Rachel, my wife of 34 years, was also born and raised in Deming, and together we have been very blessed to raise our three (3) wonderful children (Melina, Abraham and Nathaniel), who in turn have blessed us with four (4) beautiful grandchildren (Andrew, Anthony, Maleeya and Ezekiel).

I am a Deming High School graduate (with honors), class of 1980. I obtained my undergraduate Bachelor of Social Work degree (with honors) from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 1985, and I attended graduate school at NMSU working towards a Master of Public Administration degree in 1986. I attended the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Law and obtained my Juris Doctor degree in 1999.

Some of the highlights of my extensive pre-law work experience from 1985-1996 include my employment as a Community Youth Organizer for the Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces; as a Protection Service Worker/Investigator for the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD); as a Truant Officer for the Deming Public School system; as a Juvenile Probation and Parole Officer in Luna County, New Mexico; as an In-School Suspension Monitor and Varsity Athletics Coach in various sports at Deming High School.

Professionally, I have been a practicing attorney for about 17 years with my legal experience or background ranging from an Assistant District Attorney at the Luna County Office in Deming, N.M. (1999-2001); an Associate Attorney at the Law Office of Robinson, Quintero and Lopez, P.C., in Silver City, N.M. (2001-2002); and now owner and sole practitioner at the Law Office of Michael R. Renteria (2002-present).

My area of professional practice over the years has mostly centered or focused on cases pertaining to criminal defense, neglect and abuse, and family or domestic relations law. I have also served as the Pro Se Clinic attorney in Deming and Lordsburg, N.M. (2003-2012), as well as Guardian ad Litem (2001-2002) and Respondent Attorney assigned to children and mothers involved in child neglect or abuse cases (2002-present).