It’s the oldest game in the book. Republicans write op eds predicting a disaster in the Democratic House and Democrats write doomsday op eds on the Republican leadership. I’m referring to the recent op-ed by Jose Garcia on 10-19-22 (search for “The Upcoming Battle Over Leadership in the House” on riograndesun.com) predicting a coalition caucus in January. And, another rule in the game, get a well-respected Hispanic PhD to deliver the message. Never mind that he held a prominent position under former Republican Governor Susanna Martinez.
As an active member of the House Democratic Caucus and as someone who is deeply involved, I would like to respond to this message. I say this is the hope of the Republican leadership. With the Republican national party in disarray, the Republican nominee behind in the polls for the Governor’s race, they are hoping for a split in the Democratic Caucus in both the House and the Senate.
I am a Democrat whose opponent was backed by prominent Democrats in the House. Both Democratic Representatives Patty Lundstrom and Harry Garcia contributed to my primary opponent. I won House District 41 in the primary and have no opponent in the general. I had a larger majority than my first run against a 25 year Democrat incumbent. So my take-away is that I am strongly supported by a 60% margin in my district.
Representatives Lundstrom and Garcia and I have made our amends. I think the most important work of a new leadership team will be to establish trust within the Caucus. Each member of the Democratic Caucus has to do that individually with each member and then work on building a stronger leadership team for the future.
The stakes are high and we have never had a stronger threat to our Democracy than now. In 2016, when Donald Trump won, I made my decision to run as a State Representative, it really wasn’t about me, it was about ensuring that we would have strong Democratic state legislatures to protect our democracy. I think I made the right decision.
My answer to Professor Garcia, is that our Democratic Caucus continues to evolve and change. A coalition caucus is not in the self-interest of the Democratic Caucus. Leadership is given, not taken, and it is continually challenged. That is our strength. It has been widely reported that if Representative Lundstrom decides to run for the Speakership, she will do so within the Democratic Caucus. That is where the vote should take place. Garcia also underestimates the political acumen of Representative Javier Martinez, our current Majority Leader. The vote count will begin on election night. The rest is simply hopeful wishing on the part of the Republican party.
Susan Herrera is a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 41st district.