Juan Andres Vargas

Age: Declined to answer

Occupation: Attorney, with emphasis on Probate & Elder Law for the past 16 years; NM Bar Association, member

Education: Taos High School; UNM, Bachelor’s; Thurgood Marshall College of Law, Juris Doctor

Political Party: Democrat

Political Experience: Taos County, former probate judge; Child Support Enforcement Division, former special assistant attorney general

Charged or convicted of a crime (more serious than a traffic ticket): No Social media or website: None

Juan Andre Vargas, former probate judge in Taos County from 2006-2014, is making a run for the position again this year.

In 2006 he resigned his job as Special Assistant Attorney General with the Child Support Enforcement Division to run for Probate Judge and won. He was reelected for another four-year term in 2010. The position is term-limited and he went back his law practice.

In an email to the Taos News he notes that, in addition to regular office hours every Monday, he was available 24/7 for telephone calls and meetings. “My home and law office numbers were posted on my office door,” he said. “I married couples, did outreach work at various senior centers in Taos County, and wrote columns for the Taos News explaining the probate process (and how to avoid probate). I pledge to continue this if elected again. The other candidates are promising a well-run office. I had a well-run office, and I’m proud of what I achieved.”

Born, raised and educated in Taos, he is a U.S. army veteran and used his GI benefits for his education, including a course in grief and loss counseling to benefit families who have suffered loss, noting compassion and empathy are important qualities for a probate judge.

He is married and has two daughters. He feels he is the most qualified and experienced candidate.

“I like to think I was responsible for making the office of Taos County probate judge a professional position,” he said. “My record speaks for itself. Thank you for your support.”