Representative William Thomas Redmond

William Thomas Redmond (born January 28, 1954) is an American politician and minister who served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from New Mexico from 1997 to 1999. He is the only Republican to have ever represented New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, and as a member of the House of Representatives he participated in the democratic process and represented the interests of his constituents while contributing to the legislative process during one term in office.

Redmond was born in Chicago, Illinois. He pursued higher education with an early focus on public affairs and finance, attending Murray State University, where he majored in political science and accounting. He later enrolled at Lincoln Christian College in Lincoln, Illinois, from which he graduated in 1979. Following his graduation, he was ordained as a minister in the independent Christian Churches and Churches of Christ tradition, beginning a dual vocation that combined religious ministry with growing political interests.

Continuing his theological studies, Redmond attended Lincoln Christian Seminary, also in Lincoln, Illinois. In 1988 he earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in theology and philosophy. That same year he moved to New Mexico, where he would establish his ministerial and professional life and later launch his political career. Alongside his academic and ministerial formation, Redmond served in the United States Army Reserve from 1985 until 1993 as part of an Army chaplain candidate program, gaining experience in pastoral care within a military setting and further grounding his public service in religious and ethical commitments.

After relocating to New Mexico, Redmond served as minister for the Santa Fe Christian Church, where he led a congregation within the independent Christian Church tradition. He also worked in higher education as a teacher at the University of New Mexico–Los Alamos, contributing to the academic community while remaining active in local civic and religious affairs. These roles helped establish his reputation in northern New Mexico and provided a base of support for his later political campaigns.

Redmond first sought election to Congress in 1996, running as the Republican candidate for New Mexico’s 3rd congressional district against the district’s longtime Democratic incumbent, Bill Richardson. In that initial race he was defeated. Three months later, however, Richardson resigned his seat to become United States Ambassador to the United Nations, triggering a special election to fill the remainder of his term. Redmond again stood as the Republican candidate and, though initially regarded as an underdog in the heavily Democratic district, won the special election by 3,017 votes. In that contest, Green Party candidate Carol Miller ran as a more progressive alternative to Democrat Eric Serna and received 17,101 votes, or about 17 percent of the total, a strong third-party showing that exceeded Redmond’s margin over Serna and was widely viewed as having influenced the outcome in Redmond’s favor.

Serving in the 105th Congress from 1997 to 1999, Redmond represented a district that traditionally favored Democrats, yet he maintained a solidly conservative voting record consistent with his Republican affiliation. During his tenure, he was noted for his activism on issues of particular importance to New Mexico. In October 1998, a group calling itself Democrats for Redmond publicly described him as “truly an activist congressman” and “a man of integrity and a man who keeps his word.” Supporters cited his work on long-standing land grant disputes, crediting him with “accomplishing more on the Land Grant issue in 16 months than any other elected official in 150 years.” He also introduced an amendment to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act aimed at bringing justice and compensation to uranium miners and others in New Mexico affected by radiation exposure. His advocacy on behalf of Native American communities earned him an endorsement from the All Indian Pueblo Council, which recognized his efforts in fighting for the rights of Native Americans.

Redmond sought to retain his House seat in the 1998 general election, running for a full term in the 3rd district. Facing Democratic state Attorney General Tom Udall in a district that had long favored Democrats, he was defeated by a margin of 53 percent to 43 percent. His loss underscored the partisan lean of the district; after his departure, no Republican mounted a serious bid for the 3rd congressional district seat, reinforcing the singular nature of his tenure as its only Republican representative. Nonetheless, his brief period in Congress left a record of conservative representation combined with targeted, locally focused legislative initiatives.

Following his service in the House, Redmond remained active in Republican politics in New Mexico. In 2000 he won the Republican nomination for the United States Senate and challenged Democratic incumbent Jeff Bingaman. In the general election he was defeated by Bingaman by 138,227 votes. After this statewide race, Redmond continued his work as a minister and remained engaged in public and civic life, drawing on his combined experience in theology, education, military service, and elective office.