Claudia Risner, Captain, U.S. Navy (Ret.), served on active duty for 29 years serving both stateside, including a tour in New Mexico, and overseas as a Fleet Support Officer and Foreign Area Officer. After her active-duty service, she went back to school to earn her PhD in International Studies.

Since returning to New Mexico, Claudia has become deeply involved in her community serving as a volunteer; activist; Ward 22B Vice Chair, member of SPARC and the SCC, Delegate to the DNC, 2020 candidate for Senate District 19, and Board Member for the Veterans Integration Center.

She is former Chair of the VMFC and provided vital leadership to establish the Caucus as the most influential and active in the Democratic Party of New Mexico.