FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 13, 2021
Contact: Chris Nordstrum
Email: chris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov
Phone: 415.601.1992
New Mexico State Senate Majority Leadership Team Responds to Comments Made By Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca
SANTA FE – The New Mexico State Senate Majority leadership team on Saturday issued the following statement in response to comments made by Senator Greg Baca during the Senate Rules Committee meeting on Friday, February 12:
“Secretary-Designate Sonya Smith is incredibly qualified to lead the Department of Veteran Services. Yesterday she stood before the Rules Committee and demonstrated to us that she has the skills and commitment required to look out for every veteran in our state, including her fellow veteran Minority Leader Greg Baca. This ability to represent all the people you serve is precisely what makes for a strong leader. Secretary-Designate Smith’s record speaks for itself. Senator Baca’s questioning of a qualified Black woman’s ability to lead Hispanics was totally inappropriate, hurtful, and out of line. We look forward to her confirmation hearing Wednesday on the Senate floor.”
- Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart
- Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth
- Senate Majority Whip Linda M. Lopez
- Senate Majority Caucus Chair Brenda G. McKenna
###