Meet Judge Kristopher Houghton
Judge Kris Houghton was appointed to the New Mexico Court of Appeals in August 2025 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, after being recommended by the Bi-Partisan Judicial Nominating Commission. He replaces Judge Kris Bogardus who retired. Kris must now run in the 2026 election to keep his seat on the New Mexico Court of Appeals.
Prior to being appointed to the NM Court of Appeals, Kris served our community from 2012-2025 in the Department of Justice at the United States Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque. Kris began as a law clerk, became an Assistant US Attorney in the Criminal Division, was selected to serve overseas as DOJ’s Judicial Attaché in Bogotá, Colombia, and then returned to New Mexico as the US Attorney’s Chief of the Criminal Division in Albuquerque. He finished his time at the US Attorney’s Office as an Assistant US Attorney in the Civil Division.
2026 Election
Kris must now run in the 2026 election cycle to keep his seat on the NM Court of Appeals and continue working for us. The campaign will begin collecting petition signatures to qualify for the ballot & $5-Public-Financing Qualifying contributions to qualify for public financing, in October 2025. Sign up to volunteer and help to keep Kris working for us.
The Committee to Keep Judge Houghton is pursuing public financing to keep big-money out of judicial races. We are able to collect small grassroots donations of up to $100 per donor from NM-registered voters. You can contribute here.
The Primary Election will be held June 2, 2026. The General Election will be held November 3, 2026. Kris will be on the ballot statewide.
New Mexico Court of Appeals
The New Mexico Court of Appeals is one of New Mexico's most important courts, ruling on nearly 1,000 complicated and intricate cases each year. The Court of Appeals is often the “last word” in the judicial process, making the final decision in most cases that are appealed from the trial courts. Those decisions affect each of us in our everyday lives.
The Court of Appeals has jurisdiction to hear appeals from trial court decisions across the State of New Mexico; and, it reviews decisions in all areas of the law with the exception of criminal cases involving sentences of death or life imprisonment, appeals from the Public Regulation Commission, and cases involving habeas corpus.
Judge Kris Houghton - In The News
Governor Appoints Kris Houghton to Statewide Court
SANTA FE – Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment of Kristopher Nicolas Houghton to the New Mexico Court of Appeals, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Kristina Bogardus.
Governor Announces Appointment to NM Court of Appeals
SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced the appointment of Kristopher Nicolas Houghton to the New Mexico Court of Appeals, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Kristina Bogardus.
UNM Law School Graduate Appointed to Court
UNM Law School Graduate Appointed to Court
University of New Mexico School of Law Alumnus Kristopher Houghton Appointed to the New Mexico Court of Appeals (UNM School of Law News - August 22, 2025)