WASHINGTON, D.C. — New Mexico U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández issued the following statement after President Biden nominated Xochitl Torres Small, pictured, to serve as Deputy Secretary of Agriculture at the U.S. Department of Agriculture:

“New Mexico knows rural — it’s our herencia y cultura — it’s also a major economic engine for many ranchers and farmers. Our hermana Xochitl Torres Small has rural in her DNA and will be an amazing advocate at USDA.”

Following President Biden’s announcement that former U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small will be nominated as USDA Deputy Secretary, Senator Ben Ray Luján, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, sent the following tweet:

“Congratulations to my friend Xochitl Torres Small on her nomination as USDA Deputy Secretary. As a granddaughter of farmworkers, New Mexico native, and dedicated public servant, she will achieve great things in this position. I look forward to working with her on behalf of New Mexico.”