About Greg

I am Sheriff Greg Solano and I am running for Lieutenant Governor on all our favorite party’s ticket, the Democrats. I am running in the June 2010 primary and I want to just begin to get to know each of you and have you get to know me. I know this bio is a little long, but how often do you get to actually know the person you are voting for? I have tried to give you a good overview of who I am, and where I come from.

I am 45 years old and was born in Santa Fe N.M. on November 15, 1963. I was born to a single mother, Sylvia Solano. We had a good life, but a relatively poor one. I remember food stamps, food commodities and my mother working three jobs to make ends meet. She brought us up to believe you can do anything you want to if you work hard. I was married on May 19, 1984 to Antoinette Mares. We just completed 25 wonderful years together. Shortly after we were married, my mother passed away in an automobile accident. I was 21-years-old and my new wife and I returned to my family home to care for my teenage brother and two sisters.

In 1985 my son Aaron (named after Elvis Aaron Presley) was born. My teenage siblings soon began coming of age and my brother moved out of the family home and went on to become a Police Officer, and later, a commander with the Santa Fe Police Department. My sister Monica went to Highlands University and later married Chris Pacheco. My younger sister Melissa, whom we raised from age 13, went on to T.V.I. in Albuquerque N.M. and later became a full time mother of five beautiful children.

I was hired by the Santa Fe Police Department in 1988. I soon graduated from the State of N.M. Law Enforcement Academy and within my first year on the job, because of my enthusiasm and knowledge, I was chosen to train new recruits. In my time on the job, I was a highly decorated officer twice nominated for the Officer of the Year Award, and received 5 Exceptional Service Commendations, including one presented to me by Mayor Jaramillo and the City Council. With a little over two years on the job, I was promoted to Detective in the Juvenile Division of the City Police Dept. During this time, Gangs were showing increasing presence in Santa Fe and across the nation. I was assigned to handle all Gang Related Cases in the Juvenile Division. Later, in June of 1992, my second child Sylvia (named after my Mother) was born.

I was promoted to Sergeant with only 5 years of experience in the Santa Fe Police Department. At that time (age 29), I was one of the youngest sergeants in the Police Departments’ history. At the same time I had progressed from a 6-year Board Member to Vice President, and later, President of the Santa Fe Police Officers Association (the local police union). During my tenure as President, I worked to get Santa Fe’s first collective bargaining ordinance passed, then oversaw an election, which changed the association into the first recognized Public Employees Union in the City of Santa Fe. This made me the First President of a Santa Fe City Employees Union. During my time as President of the Union and during the previous 6 years I served on the Board of the Police Officers Association, I fought hard for the rights and responsibilities of the union members. I also served on the Board of Directors of the Santa Fe Fraternal Order of Police for seven years progressing from a Board member to Vice-President.

In 1995, I left the Police Dept. to become an entrepreneur. My wife and I owned the Turquoise Trail Mail Center Gifts and Videos on Highway 14 as well as an advertising specialty business. I became active in the local Democratic Party and, in 1998, I made my first attempt at running for Sheriff of Santa Fe County. I ran in a tough Democratic Primary that included 3 other candidates who were more experienced in political campaigns. Although it was my first stab at political office, I lost by only 939 votes in a race in which over 17,000 votes were cast. I took many people by surprise, garnering the endorsements of the Santa Fe New Mexican, The Santa Fe Reporter, and many unions. Our video store and mail center was closed a few years later when the building I leased a portion of was sold and the lease was not renewed.

In 2002, I ran again for Sheriff in Santa Fe County and won against two opponents in the primary and one Republican opponent. I have worked hard ever since to ensure the safety and security of Santa Fe County residents. In 2006, I won re-election by a huge margin and began my second and last term as Sheriff. During my time as Sheriff, I have lobbied the legislature for funds for law enforcement and laws to protect citizens of New Mexico. I have worked hard to protect the public my whole life and now I want to work for you. I want to protect your taxes, the integrity of the Democratic Party and the integrity of the State of New Mexico. I want to protect our way of life, our children, our families, our schools and our environment.

I am running because I care about the future of New Mexico’s communities and families. I invite you to email me back at solanoltgov@aol.com.
Visit my website at www.solanoltgov.com, or my blog at www.solanoltgov.blogspot.com.

Thank you for supporting my campaign! Together we can make a difference. One promise I will make you is “politics will not change me, we will change politics”.