Lee S. Cotter has filed for New Mexico District 39 House seat, running as a Republican.

Leemoved to Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1969. He participated in the Las Cruces United Presbyterian Church and the Boy Scouts of America attaining the Life badge before becoming an active Explorer Scout. He graduated from Las Cruces High School in 1972 and attended New Mexico State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

Lee has been a local businessman for more than 25 years in construction and real estate investment along with being employed in the oil and gas industry. He started his business career early by delivering newspapers daily after school. At 19, Lee obtained his contractor’s license, (GB-98) and while putting himself through college, began his real estate investment career by building numerous houses and apartment buildings in Las Cruces. He is a 1st generation contractor and 2nd generation college graduate.

After graduation from NMSU, Lee worked for oil and gas companies for over 10 years in many locations throughout the United States. After completing a Master's in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in 1991, he returned to Las Cruces to expand and manage his real estate investment activities.

Lee was appointed to the Rio Grande Natural Gas Association Board of Directors where he served for almost 8 years. During his tenure, the board helped provide affordable natural gas to the consumers of Las Cruces, Dona Ana County and Hatch, New Mexico.

After working for the New Mexico State Senate for 3 years as an analyst reading and interpreting proposed laws, Lee Cotter decided to expand his service to the community as a member of the New Mexico State Senate, representing District 36 in southern New Mexico. Lee wants to continue the fight to return prosperity to New Mexicans through progressively lower taxes, careful defense of individual property rights, pro-business posture, reducing unnecessary regulation and returning individual choice back to the citizens.