Not only did New Mexico voters weigh in on a new president, but they also made selections for state congressional seats. All 70 seats in the New Mexico House of Representatives and all 42 New Mexico Senate seats were decided on by voters.
The turnover of seats was larger than in recent election cycles, and there will be many new faces at the Roundhouse in January. Several current representatives did not run for reelection because they sought vacant senate seats, and both the NM House and Senate saw legislators decide to leave the body altogether. One thing that will not change significantly is the strong majority held by Democrats in both the state Senate and House of Representatives. According to the Albuquerque Journal, Democrats have held a majority in the House of Representatives for all but two years, going back to 1954. They will enter the upcoming legislative session in January with a 44-26 advantage over Republicans in the chamber, after Republicans picked up one seat in this month’s election.
Leadership Changes
Current Speaker of the House Javier Martínez (D-Albuquerque) won the Democrat caucus’s nomination to retain his role as the head of the chamber. The entire House will officially elect the speaker on the first day of the 2025 Legislative Session.
Rep. Reena Szczepanski (D-Santa Fe) will serve as Majority Floor Leader, and Rep. Dayan Hochman-Vigil was elected to serve as the next House Majority Whip.
On the other side of the aisle, House Republicans selected Gail Armstrong of Magdalena as their new floor leader. Rep. Alan Martinez of Bernalillo retained the whip position for House Republicans.
As these new members hit the ground running, the Alcohol Alliance will ensure they understand all sides of liquor licensing and taxation issues.