Luna, Tranquilino, 1849-1892

Tranquilino Luna (February 25, 1849 – November 20, 1892) was an American rancher, entrepreneur, and politician. A member of the Republican Party, he served as Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives from the Territory of New Mexico from 1881 to 1884.

Born in Los Lunas, New Mexico, Luna attended the public schools and graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. After graduating, Luna returned to New Mexico to work in the livestock industry. In 1878 Republicans nominated Luna for Delegate at their convention, but “for the sake of harmony” he declined the offer to make way for Mariano S. Otero, whom he “promised to support … heartily.” Two years later, when Otero declined nomination for a second term, Luna, who had served as a delegate to the 1880 Republican National Convention, sought to run for Delegate in the 47th Congress (1881–1883). In August 1880, the Republican Party unanimously nominated him as its candidate. He defeated former Delegate Miguel A. Otero, uncle of Mariano S. Otero, in the general election.

When Luna claimed his seat at the opening of the 47th Congress (1881–1883), he received the committee assignment Mariano Otero had held in the previous Congress. The Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures had jurisdiction over the standardization of weights and measurements and over any legislation affecting currency. In spite of the unspoken expectation that Territorial Delegates only serve one term, Luna sought a second term in the 48th Congress (1883–1885), telling a reporter he had “been importuned by a number of friends to consent to run, and after repeated importunities had finally given his consent.” Though he prevailed over Democrat Francisco Manzanares, Manzanares disputed the results; a year into the 48th Congress, the U.S. House seated Manzanares and Luna returned to New Mexico.

After his departure from the House, Luna returned to New Mexico to focus on his business activities. In 1888 and 1892, he served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. He also succeeded his late brother as sheriff of Valencia County, serving from 1888 until his death in Peralta, New Mexico, on November 20, 1892, of complications from what was likely dysentery.