A Bit of Insight Into Speaker Intrigue

Joseph Cervantes

NMPolitics.net - State Rep. Joseph Cervantes is trying to form a bipartisan coalition to become speaker and has committed to Republicans that he’s on board if they are, three Democrats who support Cervantes say. “He is committed. He is fully committed,” Rep. Andy Nuñez, D-Hatch, said of the Las Cruces Democrat. “It’s in Republicans’ lap,” said Rep. Dona Irwin, D-Deming. “Voters have spoken. They want change. Now it’s up to Republicans. Do they want change?” Cervantes challenged current House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé, unsuccessfully in a Democratic caucus meeting in November. Even before that, Nuñez, Irwin and Rep. Mary Helen Garcia – D-Las Cruces and Cervantes’ aunt – said they would support a bipartisan coalition, if necessary, to oust Luján.

Andy Nunez



Cervantes isn’t speaking publicly about the situation, but Garcia, like the others, confirmed that he is working to form a bipartisan coalition. He’s been talking with Republicans and Democrats to ask them for support. Luján has also been reaching out to members of both parties as he seeks enough votes to keep the position. Minority Leader Tom Taylor, R-Farmington, said a potential bipartisan coalition is one of the main topics of discussion among House Republicans. “It’s still out there and still in discussion, almost on a daily basis,” he said. “But there’s a lot of things that have to fall in line between now and then. We all know that it’s out there and that it’s a possibility.” Read full story here:

A Bit of Insight Into Speaker Intrigue