KRISTINA BOGARDUS

Age: 63. Occupation: Attorney. Political affiliation: Democrat. Education: Bachelor of Science in zoology, Miami (Ohio) University, 1975; law degree, University of New Mexico School of Law, cum laude, 1991.

Experience: Law clerk for then-Court of Appeals Judge Pamela Minzner, 1991-92. Partner in private practice Bogardus and Scott, specializing in personal injury, 1992-present. Served on the state Supreme Court’s Rules of Evidence Committee, 2002-07. Hearing officer for the Supreme Court’s Disciplinary Board, 2003-present. Has worked pro bono as a guardian ad litem for minors and incapacitated adults.

Personal: Raised in rural Ohio, moved to New Mexico in 1980 and lives in Albuquerque. Married for 28 years to law partner Bob Scott; four children. Switched careers midlife after her first marriage ended.

What makes you the best candidate for the post? “I have focused on legal writing throughout my career and believe that my writing skills will be an asset to the court. I also have extensive experience working collaboratively with my colleagues to reach consensus on difficult legal issues, which is a necessary skill on the court because each opinion must reflect the views of three judges assigned to the case.”

What sets you apart from your opponent? Bogardus’ written response to this question was: “I’m not familiar with the nature of my opponent’s practice and I will let him speak to that.” When pressed during an in-person interview to tell voters why they should chose her over her opponent, she said that while her opponent has worked for state agencies and represented governmental interests during much of his career, she has always chosen to represent individuals, which gives her an understanding of the serious impact each case has on the lives of the parties involved.

Criminal record: None.