2023 Unveils New Generation Of Political Leaders; The Smalls Are New Power Couple As Other Youthful Politicos Also Rise, Plus: Rep. Jaramillo Explains Controversial Booze Vote And One Gun Bill That Might Have A Chance

Small Power

The baby boomers aren't quite done yet but 2023 is bringing to the fore the next generation of New Mexico political power players who will dominate the stage in the years ahead. 

The latest sign of that came Wednesday when the White House nominated former southern NM US Rep and current UDSA Rural Development Director Xochitl Torres Small to be the next Deputy Secretary of the US Agriculture Department, the number two position in the sprawling agency.

Her appointment--expected to be confirmed by the Senate--is an affirmation of her bureaucratic competence and added to her already considerable star power in her home state.  

At only 38, Torres Small has the political world at her feet. And her husband is right there with her. Nathan Small, similar in age to his wife, was named chairman of the powerful state House Appropriations Committee last month in a coup engineered by new House Speaker Javier Martinez, only 41 himself and already showing he is here to stay.

Then there's US Rep Melanie Stansbury, 44, who has demonstrated that she is no fluke. After winning a special election to the ABQ area House seat in 2021, she followed it up with a 56 percent win for a two year term last November. 

Put in new southern US Rep. Gabe Vasquez, only 38, and new Attorney General  Raul Torrez, about 47, and there's a crowd of Generation X and Y politicos who form the nucleus of the state's future leadership. 

It's especially notable that all of them are Democrats, assuring the majority party of a strong stable of contenders for years to come and yet another obstacle to a Republican revival. 

This new slate of leaders is also diverse with several women, Hispanics, an Anglo and with roots in both ABQ and the south. 

Senators Martin Heinrich, 51, and Ben Ray Lujan, 50, are in their prime years but must already be hearing footsteps.

EXPLAINING HER VOTE

One of the new Dem state reps in Santa Fe pulled an eyebrow raiser when she voted in the health committee against a 25 cent per drink alcohol tax that her Dem colleagues all supported. 

Socorro and Dona Ana county Rep. Tara Jaramillo offered no explanation at the time of her vote but two blog readers who are her constituents wrote her of their disappointment. Here's Jaramlillo's reply:

I am sorry you are disappointed. I had many constituents who own winery’s and brewery’s in our rural area from Socorro to Dona Ana (6) who have had a hard time keeping their businesses open during the pandemic. They expressed that .25 a glass increase would cause a large burden and potentially shutter their doors. I am a huge proponent of mental health support and believe that the funding that I have supported and proposed will go a long way in assisting individuals with addition. 

But the pandemic is long over. Also, small businesses impacted by it, such as the wineries Jaramillo mentions, were eligible for federal aid under the American Rescue Act. 

And should the negligible impact of the tax on a handful of businesses outweigh the state's responsibility to address its ranking as worst in the nation for alcohol deaths and disease? 

Jaramillo says she is a "huge proponent" of mental health support but the alcohol tax would bring in $155 million a year with almost all of it going for treatment. What comparable bill is she supporting that will do that? There is none. 

AN UNLIKELY COALITION?

Our Alligators have said that the one gun control bill that might squeeze through this legislative session is HB 9, "Bennie's Bill." Well, that squeeze has started as the House approved the measure 37 to 32 and sent it to the treacherous waters of the Senate. The House Dems say: 

This commonsense safe storage bill will help protect New Mexico’s children from gun violence and tragic accidents by making sure adults store their firearms safely and responsibly. 

Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart has signed up as a sponsor. Can she put together an unlikely coalition? 

POLITICAL FANTASY 

Reader Kevin Bersell comes with some head-spinning analysis of our Wednesday blog which talked of a possible 2026 Dem Guv primary race between Sen. Heinrich and Sec. of Interior Deb Haaland:

Joe, one could spin out an overheated political fantasy from this story: 1. Heinrich runs and wins his Senate Seat in 2024 2. Heinrich runs and wins the Governor's race in 2026 3. He resigns his Senate seat a couple of hours before being sworn in as Governor (and here's the important part) while MLG is still the Governor. 4. Michelle appoints herself to his Senate seat! Good for 4 years! 5. Howie becomes Governor for an hour! 6. The Alligators go wild! 

Wild is just how those Gators like it, Kevin. But if MLG did get the appointment she would have to stand for election for the remainder of the term in the '28 general election. 

THE BOTTOM LINES 

We stumbled in a first draft of our US Senate coverage Wednesday, saying that Steve Pearce ran against Martin Heinrich. He did run for Senate--but in 2008 against Tom Udall. . . And we misidentified the Maryland senator who had a stroke. He is Chris Van Hollen. . .Finally, Sen. Lujan, who we said did not address the Legislature this year, will do so February 21. 

Sorry to disappoint those seeking punishment but these are relatively minor infractions and there will be no ten lashes with a wet noodle. But have a nice weekend. . .  

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(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2023