David Coss views the dual roles of mayor and representative as complementary. Carl Trujillo says people have complained to him about Coss trying to do two jobs, and one political science professor says it would be ‘fundamentally problematic.’
This session has largely been a lovefest between House Speaker Ben Luján and everyone else because he’s battling cancer and retiring. But Luján’s shenanigans were on full display Tuesday, providing a stark reminder that change is long overdue.
In what may be his final days presiding over the N.M. House during a legislative session, Speaker Ben Luján, who isn’t seeking re-election because of a long battle with cancer, is “focusing on the present,” the Albuquerque Journal is reporting.
House Speaker Ben Luján has not only led, but he has done so with a serenity, grace and skill that is unmatched in New Mexico politics, and I daresay in political circles anywhere in America. It’s hard to put into words how much Speaker Luján has meant to working people throughout the state.
VIDEO: Click on the headline to watch Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle talking about Speaker Ben Luján’s announcement that he’s battling cancer and won’t run for re-election.
“An era is about to end,” The Santa Fe New Mexican wrote about House Speaker Ben Luján’s announcement on Tuesday that he has stage 4 lung cancer and won’t seek re-election.
VIDEO: You can watch the speeches given on the opening day of the 2012 legislative session by clicking on the headline.
UPDATED: Ben Luján, who has served as speaker of the N.M. House of Representatives for more than a decade, is battling cancer and is severely weakened. His plans for the rest of the session aren’t immediately clear, but he won’t seek re-election later this year.
UPDATED: NMPolitics.net’s liveblog of the opening day of the 2012 legislative session included discussion about House Speaker Ben Lujan’s announcement that he is battling cancer and Gov. Susana Martinez’s state of the state address. Click on the headline to read the archive.
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