Karen Trujillo (AP)

For a Governor who openly admits she is "difficult to work for" it's been mighty quiet on the personnel front in state government. Until now. Public Education Secretary Karen Trujillo is the first cabinet member to fall and that's the first public sign of gubernatorial impatience with the pace of progress in her administration:

Unfortunately my expectations were not met in a number of areas. It is absolutely imperative that we genuinely transform public education in this state. We must identify a vibrant and ambitious new leader for the Public Education Department as quickly as we possibly can. The well-being of New Mexico’s students, parents and educators remains the top priority of this administration.

Trujillo made it six months but implementing the sweeping provisions of a landmark court ruling that found New Mexico's public schools are violating the constitutional rights of a wide swath of students--especially those of color--is more like a six year job. At least. And at least Trujillo, 48, showed a sense of humor as she headed home to Las Cruces, saying on twitter:

I was let go today from the Governor's office. I was honored to work with the amazing team at NMPED to move education forward in NM. They will continue to do that, I have no doubt. On that note, is anyone hiring :-)

Poor Karen. She got elected to the Dona Ana County Commission last November and gave it up just weeks later to go to work in Santa Fe. The longtime classroom teacher just got her first lesson in the brutal schoolroom of La Politica.

Observers watching Trujillo walk toward the exits cited the possibility that she wanted MLG to seek some relief by appealing parts of that court ruling that are costing millions and present a major challenge to implement. While former GOP Gov. Martinez was all in on an appeal, MLG has said from the get-go she would not and that she agrees with the sternly worded ruling.

Now the Governor says she will launch another national search for a new secretary. Knowing how to walk the plank without falling off would seem to be a primary qualification.

ANOTHER ONE?

Will we see another entry into the race for the Dem nomination for the northern congressional seat? The rumor mill went into high gear when John Blair, deputy secretary of state under SOS Maggie Toulouse Oliver, announced he was leaving that position and would soon make an announcement regarding his future.

Blair, an attorney and Santa Fe native, is a former top aide to Congressman Heinrich--now Senator Heinrich--and served as a chief of staff to an Ohio congressman as well as a director in the Department of Interior. That DC experience may have given the 44 year old a case of Potomac Fever. If elected, he would be the first openly gay man to serve in Congress from the state, but the northern district has already seen openly gay mayors in Santa Fe and Espanola. Did the Alligators spoil John's surprise or are they all wet? We'll know soon.

In the race for US Senate,  Nella Domenici of the east coast and daughter of the late NM Senator Pete Domenici, is still toying with the idea of seeking the GOP nomination for the open NM US senate seat next year, according to one of our Alligators.

Mick Rich, who carried the GOP torch in the race against Dem US Senator Martin Heinrich last year, offered no comment when we asked him if he was going to run in 2020 for the senate seat being vacated by Senator Udall.

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2019