She has the chance to deescalate harsh rhetoric over social issues and have her party concentrate on the meat and potatoes that helped Trump break into traditional Democratic constituencies here and cut his statewide loss to to Harris to 6.01 points (updated figures).
As we blogged post-election, that's the best showing in the state by a GOP presidential nominee since 2004.
Localizing such a national trend is like scaling Wheeler Peak in January but it's either climb or die for the R's.
Armstrong, first elected in 2016, is a pillar of the Republican business establishment. She and her husband Dale Armstrong own TLC, the plumbing and air conditioning powerhouse that has made possible their standing as top donors to Republican campaigns.
She has shown a collaborative bent in her service on the Legislative Finance Committee and has championed rural healthcare for her sprawling NM District 49, centered in Socorro and the largest House district in the state. She says as leader she will be prioritizing the troubled CYFD.
She hit the right tone upon her election if she chooses to pursue a broadening of her party:
I am committed to focusing on the areas of common ground that unite rather than divide us. Only together can we make lasting change here in New Mexico. I look forward to leading the Caucus forward with common sense legislation that improves every life here. . .
Unlike her immediate predecessors, Armstrong should be able to talk with the Democratic Governor and legislative leadership.
The Republican opportunity as a result of the election is to rebrand the state GOP as a party with appeal to the majority-minority voters they long ago lost. Some of those voters have signaled they are looking for a different path.
Armstrong will be the first woman leader of the House Republicans. That's notable but the more important history Armstrong could help forge--if she has the character and resolve--is to move her party from quasi-permanent exile to a capture of voters who leaped to their side on Election Day.
SIDEBAR
The full results of Saturday's House GOP caucus elections include a leadership post for Rebecca Dow, who reclaimed her old House seat Nov. 5:
The House Republican Caucus unanimously elected new leadership. Representative Gail Armstrong (District 49) was elected as the new Republican Leader, Representative Alan Martinez (District 23) as the new Republican Whip, and Representative Rebecca Dow (District 38) as the new Caucus Chair.
Here's another wrap on the Senate and House leadership elections.
HOUSE LEADERSHIP
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| Rep. Szcepanski (Journal, Moore) |
Martinez,who launched his career as an unabashed progressive, has now leaned into liberal pragmatism as his hold on statewide leadership firms. The difference is an accommodation of views rather than strict ideological obedience.
Rep. Reena Szcepanski of Santa Fe fought off a challenge from fellow Santa Fean Linda Serrato to become House Majority Leader, the post being vacated by the retiring Rep. Gail Chasey. This is one of the few public signs of some competition among the House progressives.
Moderate ABQ Dem Day Hochman-Vigil was chosen by the Dem caucus as Majority Whip, giving the Dems a mixture of philosophies at the top. She defeated ABQ's Charlotte Little for the position which Szczepanski had held.
(Hochman-Vigil appeared to make a play for more progressive support as she came with an op-ed faulting Republicans on transgender rights just days before the vote.)
The Caucus came with a statement that recognized the discussion of tax cuts for lower income households:
In the 2025 Session, House Democrats will focus on improving community safety, lowering taxes for working families, ensuring all children get the education and opportunities they deserve, expanding access to healthcare, including behavioral healthcare, lowering the cost of housing, and continuing to build an economy that works for all
Speaker Martinez and other Dems don't want that tax territory ceded to the Republicans.
SENATE DEMOCRATS
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| Sen. Wirth |
The House members, up again for election in two years, and the Governor, now an official lame duck, have cause for concern with the new national environment.
They have failed to fix CYFD, deliver better results from PED and to demand a more robust crime response from the city of ABQ while getting stuck in political quicksand.
These failures are in addition to of the impatience of certain voters with economic circumstances while abortion and other social issues gobble up the oxygen.
Left unresolved, the aforementioned list could be the backbone of a Republican campaign to take back the Governor's office in 2026, if a competitive candidate runs..
Senate Republicans decided their new leadership last week, including choosing Farmington Sen. Bill Sharer as Minority Leader.
This is the Home of New Mexico Politics.
