On Monday, it was revealed that former state Sen. Carroll H. Leavell, a Republican, passed away at the age of 86.
He served in the New Mexico Legislature, representing Eddy and Lea Counties from 1997 to 2018 in the New Mexico Senate. He retired on December 4, 2018, for health reasons.
Leavell earned a B.A. in business and economics at Eastern New Mexico University in 1958. He was the president and general manager of Leavell Insurance and Real Estate, Inc. from 1964 to 2002.
In the Legislature, Leavell sat on the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
He sponsored legislation to promote the oil and gas industry, make changes to the insurance industry, promote volunteer firefighters, and lower taxes.
“Being the State senator from Jal and representing Southeastern New Mexico have been a source of pride for me. Jal is possibly the furthest city in the state from Santa Fe and I always had fun reminding folks of that,” Leavell told the Carlsbad Current-Argus upon his resignation.
“Thank you southeastern New Mexico for giving me the honor and the distinct pleasure to serve you at the State Capitol. My constituents in Lea and Eddy counties continued to have faith in me and returned me to office over the years,” he said, adding, “In return, I diligently performed my duties as state senator to the best of my abilities.”
According to Leavell’s bio, he was a trustee at the College of the Southwest since the 1990s, a trustee of the Woolworth Community Library Fund since the 1970s, a member of Jal Hospital District’s board of directors, the First Methodist Church, Jal Public Library, the Society of Certified Insurance Commissioners, the National Conference of Insurance Legislators, Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico, among others.
The New Mexico House Republican caucus wrote in a statement via Twitter, “Our caucus is sending their heartfelt condolences on the passing of retired State Sen. Carroll Leavell. We are thankful for his many years of public service and grateful for his friendship. Thank your for the dedication to your community and our state.”
“Senator Leavell will be remembered as a statesman and leader of the utmost integrity. As a longtime member of the Senate, he put the needs of his constituents ahead of politics and he was widely respected by members on both sides of the aisle. Senator Leavell will be dearly missed and we send our deepest condolences to his family during this difficult time,” wrote the New Mexico Senate GOP caucus.
I served with him during my 3 terms. Such a nice man and good legislator. Too bad there aren’t more like him these days.
Such a gentleman and great public servant.
Thank you for your service to our state Senator. We are forever grateful.
I served with Carroll in the state senate. He was elected as an R in a D district because he was well known, knowledgeable, hardworking and trusted. He represented his diverse constituency well. Carroll was always a gentleman … so rare in today’s toxic political climate. You could always see the love and pride on his face when his wife and children came to visit and he’d introduce them to the senate. Rest in peace, dear Carroll.