Justice Gary Clingman has officially announced his campaign for New Mexico Supreme Court in the upcoming general election this November. Clingman, a lifelong Republican, has held the position of Supreme Court Justice since April of this year, being appointed by Governor Martinez, who recognized the need for representation from rural New Mexico.

Clingman had the pleasure of serving New Mexico as district judge in Chaves, Eddy, and Lea counties for over 20 years. A tenure in which he presided over 600 criminal and civil jury trials including multi-party oil and gas litigation. Clingman was also active in Children’s Court, serving as the Lea County Juvenile Delinquency Judge for 21 years and the Child Abuse and Neglect Judge for 7 years.

For years, Clingman gave back to his community by serving on numerous boards in Lea County including the Boys and Girls Club, Teen Court of Lea County, the Hobbs Municipal School Board and the New Mexico Activities Association. Justice Clingman was happily married to Alice Michelle Holder for 44 years until her passing in August 2017. He has two grown sons, Phillip and Patrick, and has two grandchildren.