When a government acts, it does so in service to the people—or at least it should.
In my last column, I outlined why I believed the Cibola County Commission’s decision to nominate Harry Garcia for the District 6 legislative seat was not only problematic but fundamentally misaligned with the basic principles of American representation. In the days since, the public response has been overwhelming, and the conversations I’ve had with officials have shed more light on this decision—and the broader implications for our community.
Let’s start with what happened on December 5, at the scheduled 'Coffee with the Managers' meeting. I arrived at the Coyote Del Malpais Golf Course, even after hearing it had been canceled, because neither the public nor the newspaper had been formally notified. Despite this confusion, Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher, Village of Milan Manager Candi Williams, and Commission Chairwoman Christine Lowery were present. Citizens arrived, too, hoping to engage with their leaders.
And engage they did. The meeting became an impromptu forum for a larger discussion about governance, transparency, and the scandalous nomination of Harry Garcia.
From the start, the officials were candid. Manager Fletcher explained that the Commission had sought legal advice, consulted the New Mexico Secretary of State, and ensured Garcia’s eligibility by confirming his voter registration in District 6 (While serving as state representative for District 69?). On paper, this decision may be legally sound, but legality does not equal morality.
The question that remains unanswered—and unaddressed— is this: How does this serve the people of District 6?
I asked this question directly: What communication did you have with the people of District 6 before making this decision?
The answer was telling: None.
The Commission did not survey District 6 residents or seek their input before deciding who would represent them. Instead, they based their nomination on relationships, experience, and the belief that Garcia, as a proven legislator, could secure resources for the county. While these are valid considerations, they are not substitutes for the voices of the people most affected.
Representation is the bedrock of democracy. It’s not about who can secure the most capital outlay dollars or who has the most experience in Santa Fe—it’s about ensuring that every community has a voice at the table. This decision feels like a breach of that fundamental trust, leaving District 6 residents disenfranchised in a process that directly affects them.
This isn’t just my opinion— it’s the opinion of many in District 6 who have reached out to express their frustration and sense of betrayal. The process may have been technically legal, but it has raised serious concerns about how our local government interprets its responsibility to the people it serves.
To their credit, the officials at the meeting were open about the challenges they faced. They spoke of tight deadlines, conflicting statutes, and a lack of clear processes for nominations like this. They emphasized that the Commission worked hard to make the best decision they could under the circumstances.
But the question remains: Was it the right decision?
We may find out on December 17, when McKinley County submits its nomination or by December 30 when the governor is expected to make her final choice. If McKinley nominates a resident of District 6, the seat will almost certainly go to them, and Cibola will lose a legislative voice it has held for nearly two decades.
Aswemoveforward,Ihope this serves as a wake-up call.
We need more transparency in how our government operates, better communication with the public, and a renewed commitment to the principles of representation that our democracy is built upon. I seriously mean we need more transparency. The Cibola County Commission has spent the money to outfit its meeting hall with cameras and recording technology but does it ever broadcast its meetings? No.
The people of District 6 deserve to be heard. Let’s ensure that this never happens again.
If you have not read my last State of Affairs on this matter, read it below: PoliticalApathy Will Cost Us
Apathy. What a word. Merriam-Webster defines it as a lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern. It’s a word we use often to describe political disengagement, but today it feels appropriate to describe what’s happening right here in Cibola County.
On December 3, in a meeting that lasted just 15 minutes, the Cibola County Board of Commissioners made a decision that flies in the face of one of the most fundamental principles of American government: Representation.
The commission voted unanimously to nominate State Representative Harry Garcia to fill the House District 6 seat vacated by Eliseo Lee Alcon for health reasons.
At first glance, Garcia seems like an excellent choice. He’s experienced, respected, well-liked, and he truly cares for Cibola County. But there’s a glaring problem: Harry Garcia doesn’t live in District 6.
This isn’t just a geographical technicality; it’s a constitutional requirement. Article 4, Section 3 of the New Mexico State Constitution clearly states: “If any senator or representative permanently removes his residence from or maintains no residence in the district from which he was elected, then he shall be deemed to have resigned.”
House District 6 covers the western half of Cibola County, including Thoreau, Bluewater, Pinehill, Ramah-Navajo, and the Village of Milan. Harry Garcia resides in District 69, which covers an entirely different area. The commission’s decision to nominate someone who is ineligible to serve under the constitution is baffling and deeply troubling.
Let me be clear: this isn’t just about geography. This is about Representation.
The people of District 6 deserve to have their voices heard in Santa Fe. They pay taxes. They contribute to the community. But this decision effectively strips them of their Representation in Santa Fe, violating the very principle of “no taxation without representation” that this nation was founded upon.
Was this decision intentional? I’d like to believe it wasn’t. Maybe it was a rushed move made with the excitement of giving Garcia another shot at legislative service. But intentional or not, it was wrong. And if it stands, the consequences will be severe.
By nominating an ineligible candidate, the Cibola County Commission has handed McKinley County the opportunity to select a nominee who does meet the constitutional requirements. If McKinley’s choice is someone who resides in District 6, that person will automatically become the only qualified candidate for the governor’s consideration. In one fell swoop, Cibola could lose a legislative seat it has held for nearly two decades.
This is more than a political blunder. It’s a civic failure— a failure to understand and uphold the basic principles of our government. It’s a reminder that we need to do better, not just elected officials but as a community. Civics education isn’t just for kids in classrooms. It’s for everyone, especially those entrusted with making decisions that affect us all.
Cibola County has made incredible progress in recent years. But this decision threatens to undermine that progress and silence the voices of the people in District 6. I hope there’s still a chance to reverse it, to correct this mistake before it costs us something we can’t afford to lose.
Politics aren’t easy, and they certainly aren’t pretty. But they matter. Representation matters. And in this case, the stakes couldn’t be higher.