Rep. Nuñez says it’s time for a new speaker

State Rep. Andy Nuñez, D-Hatch, says it’s time for a new House speaker, and he’s willing to support a bipartisan coalition, if necessary, to make that happen.

But Nuñez said he would prefer that the House Democratic caucus agree to internally replace current Speaker Ben Luján with Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, or someone else.

“I personally would hate to see a coalition,” Nuñez said Monday in an interview with NMPolitics.net. “I would hate to see it come down to that because it doesn’t do the Democrats – and I’m a Democrat – it doesn’t do us any good.”

Nuñez, who chairs the House Water and Natural Resources Committee, said he believes it’s “absolutely” time for a new speaker because the House lacks cohesion. He said he wants Luján “gracefully” step down, but he doubts that will happen.

Luján has already said he has no intention of stepping aside.

Nuñez said he has his doubts about the willingness of House Democrats to force Luján out – which would leave a bipartisan coalition as the only potential option to replace him. Nuñez said he is willing to support a coalition if it comes to that.

Cervantes hasn’t yet announced whether he will run for speaker, but Nuñez said there’s no one more qualified for the job.

Reached by phone Monday, Cervantes declined to comment.

But he has been meeting with top House members, including Minority Whip Keith Gardner, to talk about the possibility of a bipartisan coalition to oust Luján. Cervantes also met Friday with Luján and separately with Majority Leader Ken Martinez.

Republicans picked up eight new seats in the House in last week’s election, bringing the composition in the House to 37 Democrats and 33 Republicans. That means it would take only three Democrats crossing over – if members of the GOP caucus all voted together – to elect a coalition speaker.

Nuñez’s potential support for such a coalition is significant because Cervantes would only need the backing of one other Democrat if the Republicans all agreed to support him. Reps. Mary Helen Garcia of Las Cruces – Cervantes’ aunt – and Dona Irwin of Deming are also seen as likely supporters of Cervantes if he makes such a move.

Garcia and Irwin didn’t return calls Monday seeking comment.

Rep. Kintigh: Cervantes-led coalition ‘actively being discussed’

House Minority Leader Tom Taylor said his caucus is so excited about gaining ground in last week’s election and “having the ability to do a little bit of governing that, for the moment, we’re enjoying that and not thinking about the organization of the House.”

“At this point, as far as I know, there haven’t been any serious discussions with members on the other side of the aisle” about a potential coalition, Taylor said.

But Rep. Dennis Kintigh, R-Roswell, said a potential Cervantes-led coalition is “actively being discussed and talked about.”

Kintigh has served with Cervantes on the House Judiciary Committee. He said he has learned a lot from and has “tremendous respect” for the Las Cruces Democrat, but said the two disagree on some important policy issues including criminal justice matters.

“The philosophical differences are significant and real, so that becomes an issue,” Kintigh said. “I don’t know where we go with this, truthfully. I know we need to kick it around some more, we Republicans. The Democrats have got to figure out what they’re going to do.”

Kintigh said he would want some concessions before agreeing to support Cervantes for speaker. For example, currently in the New Mexico House the speaker decides what committee assignments to give members of the majority and minority parties. Kintigh said he would want Cervantes to agree to a system like the U.S. House has and allow the minority party to make its own committee assignments for its members.

A shift in dynamics

Serious discussion about ousting Luján is possible because of the Republican gains in the House, which make the threat of a Cervantes-led coalition possible. The situation is indicative of the new dynamics in the House.

Taylor said the more balanced membership between Democrats and Republicans is “what government was really designed to be.” He said it forces bipartisan agreement and “yields better legislation that’s not politically motivated in a lot of cases.”

Nuñez said there’s another new dynamic. He, Cervantes, Irwin and Garcia are “pretty much in the driver’s seat.” He noted it only takes three of the four Southern New Mexico Democrats voting with Republicans to override the will of the Democratic caucus.

“We need to get more respect down here than we’ve gotten in the past,” Nuñez said. “And I think we’re going to – we’re going to demand it.”

Though Nuñez hopes the Democratic caucus will decide to replace Luján, he said if it comes down to a choice on the House floor between Luján and Cervantes, he will support Cervantes – and he believes Cervantes will win.

Kintigh said House Republicans meet Saturday and will discuss the situation. House Democrats meet Nov. 20. If Democrats don’t replace Luján at that meeting, discussions about whether to form a bipartisan coalition will become more serious.

“I don’t see this getting resolved real soon,” Kintigh said.