W. Ken Martinez (D-Grants)
W. Ken Martinez is about to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams, following in his late father’s footsteps by becoming the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
On Friday, House Democrats chose their party leaders for the upcoming 60-day session that begins Jan. 15 and Martinez was accepted by acclamation to replace former Speaker Ben Luján (D-Nambé) who is retiring.
Walter Martinez was Speaker of House from 1971-78 and while Ken Martinez can’t officially assume the speakership until the session convenes next month, since Democrats hold a 38-32 edge in the House he’s a shoo-in.
Meanwhile, Democrats ousted Sheryl Williams Stapleton of Albuquerque as party whip on Friday, choosing Antonio “Moe” Maestas of Albuquerque instead. Stapleton, who has been party whip for the last eight years, has been the center of a couple of controversies in the past year, including yelling at a House Republican during a break in a committee meeting hearing, accusing the Republican of “carrying the Mexican’s water on the fourth floor,” where the offices of Gov. Susana Martinez are located.
“I am humbled that my fellow Democratic lawmakers have confidence in me to articulate the values of the Democratic Party on the House floor,” Maestas told Milan Simonich of the Texas-New Mexico Newspapers Partnership.
After a series of ballots, Democrats selected Rick Miera of Albuquerque to become the Majority Floor Leader, replacing Ken Martinez. Miera beat out Gail Chasey of Albuquerque, Miguel Garcia of Albuquerque and Debbie Rodella of Española.
Democrats also re-elected Patricia Lundstrom of Gallup as caucus chair.
