Early life and career

Bingaman was born in El Paso, Texas to Frances Bethia Ball and Jesse Francis Bingaman.^[1] He grew up in Silver City, New Mexico. His father taught at Western New Mexico University and his mother taught in the public schools system. At age 15, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Bingaman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from Harvard University in 1965. He then entered Stanford Law School, graduating in 1968.

Bingaman is married to Anne Kovacovich Bingaman; they have one child. He practiced law with his wife in New Mexico before being elected as New Mexico Attorney General in 1978.