Marcantel confirmed at Corrections, Lopez defends news releases

Gregg Marcantel

From Capitol Report New Mexico - Two days after the chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee questioned the suitability of Gregg Marcantel to serve as the Secretary of the Corrections Department, the 51-year-old law enforcement veteran was endorsed for confirmation on an 8-1 vote Wednesday (Feb. 1). “What I was confused on is why someone wouldn’t first talk to me if they had any questions they have before you send out a press release,” Marcantel said after the confirmation hearing, which came after committee chair Sen. Linda Lopez (D-Albuquerque) sent out a series of news releases saying Marcantel’s responses to the committee’s vetting process “have identified issues that cannot be ignored.” The initial news release cited Marcantell’s alleged involvement in a number of incidents but two subsequent news releases eliminated references to some of the claims. On Tuesday (Jan. 31), Gov. Susana Martinez criticized Sen. Lopez, saying, “I’m extremely frustrated that politics has taken over the Roundhouse. How someone with such a great reputation in law enforcement and with what ease a letter is sent out [the news release] being critical of someone who has such a great career in law enforcement.” But Sen. Lopez, who was the lone committee member to vote against Marcantel’s appointment on Wednesday, was adamant about her vote. Read more

Marcantel confirmed at Corrections, Lopez defends news releases