{"id":23256,"date":"2010-11-08T07:50:42","date_gmt":"2010-11-08T14:50:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=23256"},"modified":"2010-11-17T09:35:24","modified_gmt":"2010-11-17T16:35:24","slug":"cervantes-considers-coalition-overthrow-of-lujan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2010\/11\/cervantes-considers-coalition-overthrow-of-lujan\/","title":{"rendered":"Cervantes considers coalition overthrow of Luj\u00e1n"},"content":{"rendered":"
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State Rep. Joseph Cervantes (Photo by Heath Haussamen)<\/p><\/div>\n

The talk at the Roundhouse has shifted from the election to a potential coalition overthrow of House Speaker Ben Luj\u00e1n<\/a> that would be led by Rep. Joseph Cervantes<\/a>, D-Las Cruces.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s because, with GOP gains in the House last week, it would only take three Democrats voting with Republicans to elect a coalition speaker. Cervantes met with House Minority Whip Keith Gardner<\/a> last week to talk about the possibility of forming the first such coalition in the House since 1980.<\/p>\n

Nothing has been decided, sources say, and Cervantes becoming speaker with the support of a coalition of Democrats and Republicans is only one possibility being discussed. A Democratic caucus overthrow of Luj\u00e1n is another possibility, though who would lead such an effort – and if such an effort will materialize – isn\u2019t clear.<\/p>\n

Luj\u00e1n has already said he has no intention of stepping aside.<\/p>\n

Come January, the House will have 37 Democrats and 33 Republicans. Four Southern New Mexico Democrats who have stood up to Luj\u00e1n in the past \u2013 Cervantes, Mary Helen Garcia<\/a> of Las Cruces, Dona Irwin<\/a> of Deming and Andy Nu\u00f1ez<\/a> of Hatch \u2013 are being mentioned as potentially willing to partner with Republicans to make Cervantes speaker.<\/p>\n

With the incoming governor being a Republican, the Senate already controlled by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans, and the House having eight more Republicans in January than it does today, Santa Fe is going to be noticeably more conservative in January. But Republicans like Gardner and Susana Martinez<\/a> are still going to need Democratic allies in the House to help them pass bills.<\/p>\n

Because of that, Cervantes could wield a great deal of power in January regardless of who is speaker. He is perhaps the most prominent leader and dealmaker among the group of House Democrats who have been willing to partner with members from across the aisle in the past.<\/p>\n

He and a handful of others could have the power to decide what legislation passes the House.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

What is Cervantes thinking?<\/h3>\n

Cervantes isn\u2019t talking openly about his intentions right now, but he has been discussing the possibility of a coalition with key members, including Gardner.<\/p>\n

A number of Democrats have been asking why Cervantes would consider making such a politically risky move (the last such coalition in the House lasted only two years). Many Democrats would view Cervantes as a traitor if he partnered with Republicans to become speaker.<\/p>\n

There are a few key reasons:<\/p>\n