STATE OF NEW MEXICO
New Mexico Senate
DEMOCRATS SHOW UNITY
BY ELECTING MARY KAY PAPEN
For Immediate Release
Contact: Angie Poss
SANTA FE – In a bold, historic exhibition of solidarity, the New Mexico Senate Democratic Caucus selected Senator Mary Kay Papen (Dona Ana) as their new Senate Pro Tempore during opening day of the 2013 Legislative Session, making her just the second woman in the state’s history to hold that position.
The senators also unanimously re-elected Senator Michael S. Sanchez (Valencia, Bernalillo), as Majority Floor Leader, Senator Tim Keller (Bernalillo) as Majority Whip, and Senator Jacob Candelaria (Bernalillo) as Caucus Chair.
Just minutes after the noontime opening of the Session, the Senate Chamber filled to standing room only, as hundreds gathered to hear what many believed would be a contested vote for the leadership position.
Senator Pete Campos (Colfax, Guadalupe, Harding, Mora, Quay, San Miguel, Santa Fe, & Taos) was also in the running for President ProTem. The much anticipated selection, which was enacted by acclamation, instead, unified the Democratic Caucus.
Members of the Democratic Caucus are determined to gain legislative bi-partisan cooperation to work toward improving the state’s economyand stimulate jobs growth, take the steps to restore the solvency of the state’s pension funds, and come to a sensible solution to the issuing of driver’s licenses to undocumented citizens, among many other important
issues.
Campos’ motion was seconded by Majority Whip Tim Keller. Papen then thanked her colleagues and expressed her desire to unify the Senate and continue working as a “family.”
The historic move made senators Campos and Keller the first in recent New Mexico history to utter the words “Madam President,” to refer to the President Pro-Tem. Louise H Coe served held the leadership post from 1935-1940 during the 12th through 14th Legislatures.
“It is time to work in unison, the Senate is a leader in passing legislation,” Campos said while nominating Papen. “We are united and our focus, our priority, is to serve the people.
“I love this institution and I love each and every one of you.”
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