The Lujan Grisham administration has faced the resignation of another high-profile cabinet member, as Jen Paul Schroer stepped down from her role as secretary of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD).
Schroer, who had been a key figure in Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration since 2019, previously served as secretary of the Tourism Department before transitioning to ALTSD.
In reflecting on her tenure, Governor Lujan Grisham praised Schroer, saying, “Jen has been a strong, dedicated leader, stepping up for New Mexicans from her time at the Tourism Department through her work at ALTSD. Her leadership was crucial during the COVID-19 crisis, and I deeply appreciate her service.”
For her part, Schroer said, “I am grateful to Gov. Lujan Grisham for the opportunity to serve and to work alongside dedicated professionals improving the lives of New Mexicans.” She also acknowledged the support of Deputy Secretary Antoinette Vigil and the broader ALTSD team, expressing confidence in the department’s continued success.
This development follows the departure of Arsenio Romero, the New Mexico Department of Education (PED) secretary, who recently stepped down amid speculation that he was eyeing a leadership position at New Mexico State University. She was his fourth Cabinet secretary for PED.
Romero’s exit was prompted by political pressure from the governor. Romero’s forced departure highlights a pattern of turnover within the governor’s cabinet, with several key figures exiting in recent years.
These transitions come at a time when the Lujan Grisham administration is under scrutiny for its mismanagement of key departments and agencies, such as the Children, Youth, and Families Department, which has continued to be in a cycle of perpetual failure and decline.
The frequent cabinet changes raise questions about the stability of the administration’s leadership team, particularly as New Mexico continues to navigate significant challenges in education, health care, and economic recovery.
MLG’s NM Cabinet is a front, is anything really getting done
or changing for the better? Haven’t we been at 50th this whole time.
She is grateful for what, to do the bidding of the evil queen of the dark and get paid for a title? She is jumping a sinking ship and I hope and pray that the people of NM open their eyes and see all the damage that MLG has done to NM.
The resume of duties mentioned seem like useless fluff jobs of the ever expanding ,intrusive dem party, that only waste our tax dollars and propel mediocre people to new useless positions.