- Rep. Ben Luján (Photo by Heath Haussamen)
The House Democratic caucus nominated Rep. Ben Luján of Nambé today to continue serving as speaker.
Luján survived a challenge from Rep. Joseph Cervantes of Las Cruces. The meeting was held behind closed doors and the vote totals are secret.
Luján told reporters that he was nominated by acclimation, according to The Santa Fe New Mexican.
Rep. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces, Cervantes’ aunt and one of his supporters, was quoted by The New Mexican as saying, “As usual, the north and Albuquerque controls everything.”
Today’s vote doesn’t necessarily mean Luján will continue serving as speaker. Garcia and two other Democrats have said they would be willing to support a bipartisan coalition overthrow of Luján by Cervantes – a possibility Cervantes has been discussing with Republicans.
The formal vote on who will be speaker will take place on the opening day of the legislative session in January.