Benavidez was born in
Albuquerque, New Mexico, the son of John Sanchez Benavidez and Neph Pino. He attended and graduated from
Albuquerque High School. After graduating, he attended the
University of Albuquerque, earning his degree in
accounting and
economics, which after earning his degree, he worked as a
real estate broker. Benavidez served in the
New Mexico Senate from 1966 to 1970 and again from 1984 to 1996. During his service in the Senate, in 1990, he ran as a
Democratic candidate for
United States senator of New Mexico. He received 110,033 votes, but lost to
Republican incumbent
Pete Domenici, who won with 296,712 votes. In 2002, Benavidez ran as a
Republican candidate for
auditor of New Mexico. He received 218,747 votes, but lost to
Democratic incumbent
Domingo Martinez, who won with 238,507 votes. == Death ==