Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo

Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo ( born December 7, 1859 in Chihuahua, Mexico, † April 7, 1930 in Albuquerque, New Mexico ) was an American politician and from 1919 to 1921, the fourth Governor of the State of New Mexico.

Early years

Larrazolo was a very religious man. In 1870 he moved as a protégé of the bishop of Arizona to Tucson. Then he attended St. Michael's College, where he studied theology in Santa Fe. In 1875 and 1876 he worked as a teacher in Tucson in El Paso County, Texas. He was also secretary of some courts in this region. After a subsequent law degree, he was admitted in 1888 as a lawyer.

Between 1890 and 1894 he was District Attorney in the Western District of Texas. In 1895 he moved to Las Vegas in New Mexico Territory. There he worked as a lawyer.

Political career

Larrazolo was originally a member of the Democratic Party. In the years 1890, 1900 and 1908 he applied unsuccessfully for a seat in the U.S. Congress. In 1911, he stepped over to the Republicans. His new party nominated him in 1918 as a candidate for the gubernatorial elections. After the successful election Larrazolo took office on 1 January 1919. In his two years in office a tax reform were carried out and launched a health committee to life. Larrazolo also called for the people of Latin American origin in his State.

Even after the end of his governorship Larrazolo remained politically active. Between 1927 and 1928 he was a delegate in the House of Representatives from New Mexico and from 1928 to 1929 he was a member of the U.S. Senate in Washington. For health reasons he opted not to re-election to this Parliament chamber. Octaviano Larrazolo died on 7 April 1930. He was married twice and had seven children.