Vote totals from House speaker race kept secret

The vote totals for speaker, majority leader and majority whip from today’s House Democratic caucus were kept secret by leadership and those who counted ballots.

I can tell you a bit more about how the meeting played out.

After Ben Lujan of Santa Fe and Ken Martinez of Grants were nominated for speaker, both gave speeches. Then Rep. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces challenged the speaker with several questions about his leadership and actions, including one about the $75 million he slipped into this year’s capital outlay bill without the knowledge of most legislators and at the last minute.

Several legislators told me Lujan didn’t really answer Garcia’s questions.

Then members voted. The vote totals were kept secret by the handful of members who counted them, but winners were announced. Several legislators told me they heard Lujan won by three votes, but none had direct knowledge.

The same voting process held true for majority leader and majority whip.

Both Rep. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces and Gail Chasey of Albuquerque withdrew from the majority leader race after Martinez lost the speaker race, but Mimi Stewart of Albuquerque stayed in the race and was defeated by Martinez.

Sheryl Williams Stapleton of Albuquerque defeated Jose Campos of Santa Rosa to keep the whip position.

Cervantes said his decision to withdraw was consistent with “commitments I had made. It was made in the interest of trying to bring back some unity to the caucus. It seemed to be the best way to restore unity for the upcoming session.”

Cervantes had previously pledged that he would seek majority leader only if Martinez did not. It’s the second time Cervantes has deferred to Martinez for majority leader.

As to the results, Cervantes had this to say:

“The majority has spoken and the caucus will unite behind the wish of the majority,” he said. He would not say who he supported for speaker.

Garcia, who supported Martinez, said she hopes she doesn’t lose her seat on the Appropriations Committee because of it. The speaker has sole authority to make committee appointments.

“My support was for Kenny for specific reasons, and the speaker needs to understand that,” Garcia said. “If there’s retaliation, what can I do about that?”

Garcia would not comment on her questioning of Lujan during the closed-door meeting, but said Lujan needs to now visit with his opponents and try to address their concerns.

“Good Democrats don’t retaliate. He needs to involve us in the process,” she said. “I’m willing to work with him and, hopefully, we’ll have a good session.”

Lujan told me he was busy and would call later. I’ve been unable to reach Martinez or other legislators for comment.

I’ll have in-depth analysis of this in the morning.