On Saturday, House Republicans and House Democrats elected new leadership in their respective caucuses ahead of the 2025 Legislative Session, which begins on January 21st.
House Democrats again tapped Speaker Javier Martínez of Albuquerque as their nominee for the speakership, current Whip Reena Szczepanski of Santa Fe as their new majority floor leader, after Leader Gail Chasey of Albuquerque announced her retirement and did not seek reelection to the House.
Rep. Dayan “Day” Hochman Vigil of Albuquerque was chosen as the Democrats’ new whip, keeping Chairman Raymundo Lara of La Mesa as the caucus chair.
On the Republican side, the House GOP tapped Rep. Gail Armstrong of Magdalena, the current caucus chair, to be the minority leader, following Rep. Rod Montoya of Farmington, who chose not to run for reelection to the position. Armstrong is the first female GOP New Mexico House leader in history.
Republicans chose to keep current Whip Alan Martinez of Bernalillo as the minority caucus whip, while former Rep. Rebecca Dow, who recently reclaimed her seat in the House after running for governor, has been restored as caucus chair after previously holding the position.
As the January 60-day legislative session rolls upon us, it is unclear what changes the new leadership will make, regarding decorum, strategy, or way of conducting business in the House.
With both sides elevating relatively new legislators to many of the leadership positions, it remains to be seen if the chamber will continue in its same trajectory, which — at least for the Democrat majority — has veered further and further to the extreme left.
Just more of the same, for the Dems.
How can the Democrats be satisfied with our education system? When will we get action to move us up from being 49th in education>. Sad.
They want the youths to be dumber than they are. Ergo, bad education system in New Mexico
Under Democrat “leadership, Noo Mexicans cain’t reed oar rite.
Gail, let’s talk.
Rev. Rico