Benigno C. Hernández
Benigno Cárdenas Hernández ( born February 13, 1862 in Taos, New Mexico, † October 18, 1954 in Los Angeles, California ) was an American politician. Between 1915 and 1917, and from 1919 to 1921, he represented the first electoral district of the state of New Mexico in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Early years and career
Benigno Hernandez attended both public and private schools in his homeland. Between 1880 and 1889 he was a clerk in a grocery store in Taos County. He also dealt with the livestock. In 1896 he moved to Lumberton in Rio Arriba County, where he was engaged in trade. Between 1900 and 1904 he was a notary in this district. He also served as a judge in a probate court. From 1904 to 1906 he served as Sheriff Chief of Police in Rio Arriba County. Between 1908 and 1912, Hernández treasurer and tax collector was in this district.
Political career
Benigno Hernandez was a member of the Republican Party. He was a delegate to many regional party conferences in New Mexico and at the Republican National Conventions of 1912 and 1916. In 1914 he was elected as a candidate of his party in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he died on March 4, 1915 Harvey Butler Fergusson of the democratic Party replaced. After an attempted re-election had failed in 1916, he was able to complete only one term in Congress until March 3, 1917. His seat went to his rival candidates William Bell Walton.
After winning the 1918 congressional elections, Hernandez was able to complete another term in the House of Representatives between 4 March 1919 and 3 March 1921. In Congress he was a member of the Indian Committee, the Agriculture Committee and the Committee for the management of state property. In 1920, Hernandez gave up another candidacy.
Further CV
In 1921, Hernández was appointed in New Mexico by President Warren G. Harding to head the federal tax authority. This office he held until 1933. Between 1940 and 1947 he was a member of the defense acquisition committee ( Selective Service Board) of New Mexico. Then he withdrew into retirement. He moved to Los Angeles, where he died in 1954.