GRANTS, N.M. – As the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session continues, the residents of House District 6 remain without representation, marking another week of political uncertainty for Cibola and McKinley counties.
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has yet to appoint a representative for the vacant seat, citing concerns over the eligibility of the most recent nominee, former State Senator Clemente Sanchez. In a February 10 letter to Attorney General Raúl Torrez, the governor formally requested an investigation into whether Sanchez meets the constitutional residency requirements to serve in House District 6. Until the Attorney General’s office completes its investigation, the governor has opted to delay making an appointment.
'Unfortunately, I am concerned that former Senator Sanchez is ineligible to fill the vacancy in House District 6 for the same reason as former Representative Garcia. To ensure that the Board of County Commissioners for Cibola County has nominated a qualified individual, I formally request an investigation to confirm that former Senator Sanchez resides in House District 6.'
- Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham A Legislative Session Without Representation
The New Mexico Legislative Session began on January 21, 2025, with all 42 seats in the Senate filled and 69 of 70 seats in the House occupied. The only vacancy remains in House District 6, a district spanning parts of Cibola and McKinley counties, home to the Village of Milan, the Pueblo of Zuni, and parts of the Navajo Nation.
The seat became vacant after Representative Eliseo 'Lee' Alcon retired on November 25, 2024, due to health concerns, leaving behind a legacy of advocacy for veterans and infrastructure improvements in rural and tribal communities.
After his passing on January 13, the urgency to fill the seat grew, yet the vacancy remains.
A Long and Contentious Process
The nomination process has been fraught with legal and ethical disputes, particularly regarding residency requirements.
Initially, Harry Garcia, the former representative for House District 69, was nominated by both Cibola and McKinley counties in December. However, concerns over his residency quickly emerged. An investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) found that Garcia’s declared residence in House District 6 was unoccupied and under renovation, concluding that he did not meet the constitutional residency requirements.
Governor Lujan Grisham subsequently rejected his nomination on January 21.
On January 28, Cibola County Commissioners nominated Clemente Sanchez, a former state senator, as their new choice to fill the seat. However, his residency has also come under scrutiny. Sanchez changed his voter registration to an address in Grants—within House District 6—just one day after Representative Alcon resigned. Prior to that, he was registered to vote in House District 69, where his wife, Cibola County Commissioner Georgia Routzen Sanchez, still maintains her residency.
On February 4, 2025, McKinley County nominated former Cibola County Commissioner Martha Garcia as their choice to fill the vacancy. Unlike Sanchez, Garcia’s residency in Pine Hill is not in question.
What Happens Next?
Citing concerns similar to those that disqualified Harry Garcia, Governor Lujan Grisham sent a letter to Attorney General Raúl Torrez on February 10, requesting an investigation into Sanchez’s residency. In her letter, the governor stated: With only 37 days remaining in the 2025 Legislative Session, the governor's decision will significantly impact whether House District 6 will have representation before the session ends.
The Attorney General’s office has not provided a timeline for completing its investigation, leaving the appointment process in limbo.
If the governor rejects both Sanchez and Martha Garcia, Cibola and McKinley counties will need to submit new nominees, further delaying representation.
With no representative in House District 6, local voices are absent in House Floor debates and committee discussions, leaving Senate members Angel Charley and George Muñoz to carry the weight of representing the region’s interests in Santa Fe, but both are in a different chamber of the legislature than HD6 is. While legislation impacting Cibola inches forward, the county’s influence in the House chamber is effectively stalled.
In the House, Cibola County is represented by District 69, which until 2024 was held in Grants by former Representative Harry Garcia. Today, the seat is held by Michelle “Pauline” Abeyta of To’hajiilee. Cibola County Manager has expressed gratitude in her working relationship with the new representative while HD6 remains vacant.
This absence comes at a pivotal moment, as House Bill 206, which would fund water infrastructure projects for the region, remains stuck in committee, and House Bill 141—the state’s budget bill—is still being negotiated. Without a direct advocate from House District 6, critical local funding proposals and infrastructure plans which benefit the district face an uphill battle, forcing county officials and community leaders to rely on external legislative allies to push Cibola’s needs forward.
For now, the residents of House District 6 remain without a voice in Santa Fe, as critical legislation and budget decisions continue without their input. The Cibola Citizen will continue to follow this developing story as new information emerges.
Timeline of the Crisis November 5, 2024: Representative Eliseo Alcon of Milan, N.M. wins his eighth term to represent House District 6.
November 25: Representative Alcon announces his immediate resignation from House District 6 due to health concerns. This initiates the process for filling his seat, requiring both Cibola and McKinley County Commissions to submit nominees to the governor.
December 3: In a short 15minute meeting, the Cibola County Commission nominates Harry Garcia, the sitting representative of House District 69, raising immediate concerns about his eligibility due to his residency.
December 17: The McKinley County Commission, instead of making a nomination, postpones their decision indefinitely, prolonging the process and leaving House District 6 without a nominee.
December 30: McKinley County finally nominates Harry Garcia, aligning with Cibola County’s earlier decision and sending his name to Governor Lujan Grisham.
January 2, 2025: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver responds to an inquiry from the governor, stating that residency is determined based on the sworn attestation of the nominee and that further verification would require an investigation.
January 6: The governor requests the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) to conduct an investigation into Garcia’s residency.
January 13: The Honorable Rep. Alcon passes away at age 75.
January 17: NMDOJ concludes its investigation, determining that Garcia does not meet the constitutional residency requirements to serve House District 6. The report states that Garcia’s declared address in the district was not inhabited and that he continued to reside at his District 69 address.
January 21: New Mexico’s 60-Day Legislative Sessions begins, HD6 is the only vacancy in the entire lawmaking body.
January 21: Governor Lujan Grisham officially rejects Garcia’s nomination, citing the NMDOJ’s findings.
January 28: Cibola County Commission nominates former State Senator Clemente Sanchez to fill House District 6’s vacancy. The vote was 3-1, with one abstention. The commissioner who abstained was Georgia Routzen Sanchez, the wife of the nominee. Sanchez, like the rejected nominee Harry Garcia, is questioned about his residency as he only changed the official documentation on his voter registration to his House District 6 residency after Alcon’s resignation from the seat.
February 4: McKinley County Commission nominates former Cibola County Commissioner Martha Garcia of Pine Hill, setting up a choice for the governor between the two nominees.
February 10: Governor Lujan Grisham requests Attorney General Torrez and NMDOJ investigate Clemente Sanchez’s residency for the same residency issues as Harry Garcia.
Courtesy Photo