Democratic representatives from Doña Ana County appear to have mixed reactions to the question of whether Ben Lujan should continue as speaker of the House.
I’ve been asking the question all week, following a Monday article in the Albuquerque Journal that reported that a top aide to Lujan has been living rent-free in a home owned by the Region III Housing Authority.
It’s the first time Lujan has been publicly linked to the housing authority scandal, and one of many issues with Lujan’s leadership that has some House Democrats upset.
When the legislature convenes in January, Doña Ana County will have seven Democratic members in the House – a significant group in the 70-member body.
Rep. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces refused to comment this week on whether she supports Lujan, but said she is “disappointed with the headlines about our speaker. We have to have trust in our speaker, and if any of this was taking place behind closed doors, I’m not alright with it.”
Rep. Joni Gutierrez of Las Cruces, on the other hand, expressed support for Lujan.
“I’m very satisfied with him. I’ve had no problems,” she said. “I’ve been there two years, and he’s all I know. He’s been fine. I think he’s good.”
Rep. Andy Nuñez of Hatch declined to comment. Reps. Joseph Cervantes and Antonio Lujan of Las Cruces have not returned calls seeking comment.
Representative-elect Jeff Steinborn of Las Cruces said he’s been too busy to think about whether he supports Ben Lujan continuing as speaker. He was in Santa Fe this week looking for a home, and said he has been “inundated” with phone calls and other issues.
“It’s not a decision I’m going to make just yet,” Steinborn said. “It’s something that warrants more study.”
I’ve also been unable to reach Representative-elect Nate Cote of Las Cruces for comment.
In addition, I’ve tried to reach House Majority Leader Ken Martinez of Grants to ask whether he’ll challenge Lujan. He has not returned my calls. Neither has one other House Democrat I’m told is a possible challenger. Because that member’s name has not been given to me on the record, I’m not going to name the member.
Does anyone else get the sense there’s a lot going on behind the scenes here? If Lujan had the widespread support he claims, it would be easier to get people on the record in support of him continuing as speaker.
The question is whether anyone will challenge him.