Apodaca died in Santa Fe, New Mexico, after years of declining health.
Family members of former New Mexico Gov. Jerry Apodaca announced he has died. Apodaca served as governor of the state from 1975 to 1979.
Apodaca made history when he was sworn in, becoming the first Hispanic governor in the history of the United States.
In the past year, family members said the 24th state governor had suffered from several strokes in the last year.
Jerry Apodaca (October 3, 1934 – April 26, 2023) was an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 24th governor of New Mexico from 1975 to 1979 and chair of the president’s council on physical fitness and sports from 1978 to 1980.
In 1978, President Carter appointed Apodaca, who was constitutionally ineligible to seek reelection as governor, as the chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness.
After his term as governor, Apodaca became involved in publishing Hispanic-audience periodicals.