Judge Donna Mowrer

Manuel Arrieta

New Mexico Ninth Judicial District Court, Division IV

Background Donna J. Mowrer is a district court judge in Division IV of the New Mexico Ninth Judicial District Court, based in Portales, Roosevelt County. She presides over general jurisdiction cases including criminal, civil, family, domestic relations, and domestic violence matters. She is the presiding judge for all Roosevelt County domestic violence cases. She was the first woman appointed and elected to the bench in the Ninth Judicial District.

Education She is a graduate of Eastern New Mexico University and the University of New Mexico School of Law.

Prior Experience Prior to her appointment, Mowrer practiced law and served in roles that prepared her for the bench.

Appointment & Current Role A registered Republican, she was appointed to the bench in August 2011 by Governor Susana Martinez and was elected in November 2012.

She presided over the Portales Daycare Hot Car Death Case (2017–2025). The case involved two home daycare workers, Sandi Taylor and Mary Taylor, accused of leaving two young children in a hot car, resulting in the death of one child. She rejected an initial plea deal, expressed strong disapproval of certain elements, and ultimately accepted a later plea agreement. The case received significant local and regional media attention, and the victims’ family voiced frustration over the process.

She has also handed down lengthy sentences in serious cases, including sentencing a man to 18 years in prison for beating a woman with a golf club.

Election Status She has been retained by voters in subsequent nonpartisan retention elections. Her current term expires on December 31, 2026.

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