Judge Gerald E. Baca
Serving you on the NM Court of Appeals
Judge Gerald E. Baca was appointed to the New Mexico Court of Appeals by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, after being recommended by the bi-partisan Judicial Nominating Commission. Prior to his appointment, Gerald served as Chief District Court Judge for the Fourth Judicial District of San Miguel, Mora, and Guadalupe Counties. He was a District Court Judge since 2013 and also served previously from 2007-2009. Gerald must now run in the 2022 election to keep his seat on the NM Court of Appeals.
Gerald was born in Las Vegas, NM and raised in Mora and San Miguel counties. He attended Robertson High School, NM Highlands University, and he received his law degree from the University of New Mexico School of Law. His family has deep roots to northern New Mexico and has lived and worked there for generations.
Gerald began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the First Judicial District, encompassing Santa Fe, Los Alamos, and Rio Arriba counties. He then served as Chief Deputy District Attorney for the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office. In addition, he spent nearly 20 years of his career in private law practice in the areas of civil and criminal law.
Gerald’s passion is serving the youth of our community and region as a high school sports official. He is a member of the New Mexico Officials Association, and he officiates junior high and high school wrestling as well as high school basketball and soccer. Gerald also serves as an umpire for high school baseball. He is an avid racquetball player and weightlifter. He enjoys riding his road bicycle and reading.
Gerald was born into a ranching family and knows the values of hard work, honesty, and commitment to getting a job done. Public service was instilled in him at an early age. His paternal grandfather was a State Senator for Mora County in the 1950s, and a number of his family were educators.
Gerald and his wife, Darlene, have been married for over 35 years. They have two adult children and three grandchildren.
Gerald is pursuing public financing under the NM Voter Action Act to ensure fair and ethical elections by taking big-money out of judicial campaigns.