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.

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