No word on whether Martinez will challenge Lujan

Many have been wondering for months whether there would be a serious challenge to Ben Lujan’s position as speaker of the House. The answer: There isn’t yet an answer.

In addition to the more liberal wing of the Democratic Party that might support current Majority Floor Leader Ken Martinez or another candidate over Lujan, there are the Democrats who want reform. Should Martinez opt to challenge Lujan, several sources tell me, the vote would be about 50-50.

Martinez is not yet saying whether he’ll challenge Lujan. The Democrats meet Dec. 18 to resolve this, and while Martinez keeps his cards secret, there’s a possibility that someone else will decide to challenge the speaker.

One insider told Joe Monahan earlier this week that Martinez would have 16 of the 22 votes needed to win, but the source referenced the liberal wing of the party and its new faces as probable Martinez supporters. Two sources told me that insider is discounting many moderate or conservative Democrats from around the state who are fed up with the corruption in Santa Fe.

Specifically, some are upset about Lujan’s ties to Vincent “Smiley” Gallegos, the former legislator who resigned as director of the Region III Housing Authority this year after the entire state organization crumbled in scandal. Gallegos is a lobbyist with close ties to Lujan.

They’re also upset over the $75 million for water lawsuit settlements that Lujan slipped into the capital outlay bill at the last moment without the knowledge of almost any other legislators earlier this year.

Lujan worked hard throughout the election season to win the votes needed to retain his position. He gave several hundred dollars each to most Democratic House members around the state, with additional gifts going to those in hot races.

If Lujan keeps the post, expect Martinez to keep his. If Martinez ousts Lujan, there will be a short list of potential candidates for majority leader that might include Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces. Cervantes also sought the position when Martinez got it a couple of years ago, but agreed to support Martinez in exchange for his current position as chair of the judiciary committee.

Further down the chain of command, I’m told that Jose Campos of Santa Rosa is openly challenging Majority Whip Sheryl Williams Stapleton.

Voters in last week’s election opted not to challenge the Democratic leadership of the state. Some Democrats are taking that with a sigh of relief and a realization that changes need to be made. Between the state treasurer scandal, the housing authority mess, the insurance superintendent snafu and other issues, many Democrats believe their party has some housecleaning to do.