House democrats choose leaders

W. Ken Martinez

Democrats who control the New Mexico House on have nominated Majority Leader W. Ken Martinez to replace longtime Speaker Ben Lujan.

 Democrats also picked Rep. Rick Miera of Albuquerque to succeed Martinez in the majority leader post, and they chose Rep. Moe Maestas of Bernalillo as majority whip. 

The speaker nomination can't be finalized until the Legislature convenes in January. 

Lujan announced he was retiring earlier this year after he was diagnosed with advanced stage lung cancer. Martinez, of Grants, has been in the House since 1999. 

House democrats choose leaders