Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office has granted sizable raises to roughly 20 senior aides—some as high as 26%—far outpacing the 4% increase most state employees received this year.
Spokesman Michael Coleman defended the adjustments as a response to “market realities,” noting the aides are effectively on call around the clock. “The governor’s senior staff salaries were adjusted to reflect the extraordinary level of expertise and experience they bring to serving New Mexico,” Coleman said. “These seasoned professionals could command higher compensation in the private sector but choose public service.”
Republican leaders objected, arguing taxpayers aren’t seeing commensurate results while the state contends with persistent problems in health care, homelessness, and child welfare. “With so many urgent challenges facing our communities, taxpayers deserve to see meaningful results, not just expanding payrolls for political appointees,” said House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena.
Salary records on the state Sunshine Portal show Chief of Staff Daniel Schlegel’s pay moving from $201,893 to $234,000 (16%). General Counsel Holly Agajanian received a 19% increase to $208,000. Deputy Chief of Staff Diego Arencon and Director of Cabinet Affairs Caroline Buerkle each rose 9%. The largest percentage bump went to administrative assistant Leah Mountain, whose salary climbed 26% to $78,000. Coleman himself received a 10% raise.
All state employees received a 4% boost effective July 1 under the $10.8 billion budget approved in March. The Governor’s Office did not specify when its senior staff raises were authorized; if approved before July, the across-the-board 4% would be calculated on the higher base. Coleman framed the larger increases as targeted to “specialized executive roles,” adding, “These professionals have helped secure billions in federal investments, navigate unprecedented challenges, and position New Mexico as a national leader on multiple fronts. That expertise has value, and the governor believes that retaining it serves every New Mexican’s interest.”
This isn’t the first time top aides have seen notable pay hikes under Lujan Grisham. Similar raises were approved in late 2022 and early 2023 after her reelection, and about eight senior staffers received sizable increases in 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The governor’s own salary remains $110,000, unchanged since she took office in 2019 because statewide elected officials’ pay is set in statute. Lujan Grisham signed a 2023 law raising those salaries beginning in 2027—after her term—setting the next governor’s pay at $169,714.
Other branches have also lifted compensation. New Mexico Chief Investment Officer Vince Smith’s June raise of nearly 40% makes him the state’s highest-paid employee at $455,000, with many Investment Office staff also receiving increases. Legislative Finance Committee Director Charles Sallee’s salary rose from $193,640 to $213,200 this year, according to Sunshine Portal data.
We have previously exclusively reported on Lujan Grisham’s extravagant staff raises, such as in 2023, where she lavished huge pay bumps to staffers.
Only government jobs get pay raises when it appears that the state is in poor conditions in so many areas. All state employees raises should be the same, not just big boosts to those that are kissing the Guv’s A$$. (wait, I meant ring) 10.8 million dollar budget for a state of just over 2 million seems a bit extreme to us taxpayers who cover what the oil industry doesn’t all while the Guv tries to cancel them like good Dem’s.
MLG is at it again, passing out extra money while NM citizens suffer. But then Queens and Satan protects his or her own.
she’s a disgusting little clown……….and it shows!
How about this idea….
Our ‘representatives,’ who are supposed to be representing the citizens of NM, but just seem to be looking out for themselves, need a pay REDUCTION to match the median income of the average New Mexican.
According to AI, the average NM income is roughly $65,000 annually.
So raising salaries for ANY government worker is completely out of touch with what we the people are experiencing.
This is what NM voted for. They should keep voting democrat to see how our state can be the last state in every measurement of good governess.
Thieves. Our tax dollars “hard at work.” When will the brainwashed morons who continually vote for these crooks wake up? Clearly, we need a pay-for-performance salary program in NM government and education.
“…position New Mexico as a national leader on multiple fronts.” I can’t name one, can you? Unless you’re talking about violent crime, homelessness, bottom of the barrel child welfare, education, etc?
The headline of 26% raises is misleading but sensational since one employee got a 26% raise to $78,000. To lose some of these employees then to hire and train them would cost a great deal of money and would cost the state in many ways that would not be measured.
I do not know if the amounts are justified but if some competitive analysis was done they may be right. It is hard to tell and it looks like NM is moving up in relation to its three neighbors. Governor salaries, NM $110,000 Colorado $95,000. Texas $154,000, Arizona $95,000.
When hiring a top level employees it takes about 6 months to realistically decide if they are the right person doing the job well enough.
I do not know if all of these raise are the right amounts are proper but none of you commenting do either so you just call her a clown? High intellect with no substance?