Otero, Mariano S. (Mariano Sabino), 1844-1904

Mariano Sabino Otero (August 29, 1844 – February 1, 1904) was a rancher, banker, and politician. He served as the Congressional delegate from the Territory of New Mexico from 1879 to 1881.

Born in Peralta, Nuévo Mexico, Otero attended private and parochial schools and St. Louis University. He engaged in commercial pursuits and stock raising, and subsequently became a banker. He was probate judge of Bernalillo County from 1871 to 1879. He was nominated by the Democratic State convention as a candidate for Delegate to the 44th Congress (1875-1877), but declined. In 1878, the state Republican Party nominated Otero to run for the Delegate’s seat; this time Otero reluctantly accepted the nomination. Elected to the 46th Congress (1879–1881), Otero was sworn in on March 19, 1879. Under new House Rules enacted during his tenure, he became the first New Mexican Territorial Delegate—and only the second Hispanic-American Member of Congress—to earn a committee assignment, on the Committee on Coinage, Weights, and Measures.

When it came time for the 1880 elections, Otero declined to seek renomination after serving a single term. He returned to New Mexico, where he pursued his business interests and a career in state politics. From 1884 to 1886, he served as commissioner of Bernalillo County. He also served as a delegate to the 1889 territorial constitutional convention. In 1888 and 1890 he ran as a Republican, but he lost both times by narrow margins to Antonio Joseph because of the GOP’s factionalism and Joseph’s wide popularity. He moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1889, and was interested in the manufacture of sulphur and engaged in banking. He died in Albuquerque, and was interred in Santa Barbara Cemetery.