GRANTS, N.M. – In a decision that concludes weeks of political uncertainty, the McKinley County Commission voted on December 30 to nominate Representative Harry Garcia (D) to fill the vacancy for New Mexico House District 6, aligning with Cibola County’s nomination made earlier this month. Both counties have now submitted Garcia’s name to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for final approval.
This outcome marks the end of a contentious nomination process sparked by the retirement of longtime Representative Eliseo “Lee” Alcon (D), who stepped down on November 25 to focus on his health after being placed on hospice care. Alcon, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and public servant for over 15 years, left behind a legacy of advocacy for veterans, economic development, and environmental protections.
McKinley County’s decision was made in the early morning of December 30. Because of the holiday, this was press deadline for the Cibola Citizen. This report includes all of the information that was available by deadline.
A Contentious Process
The path to this dual nomination has been anything but smooth.
House District 6 opened up after the election. In November, HD6 incumbent Representative Eliseo Alcon won his re-election campaign, beating a republican from Bluewater Village. Alcon lives in Milan. Just weeks after the election, Alcon was forced to resign his seat due to health issues, creating a vacancy that has created a political crisis in Cibola County.
On December 3, the Cibola County Commission held a brief 15-minute special meeting where they nominated Rep. Garcia, the current representative for District 69, despite a list of eight applicants vying for the role, including local leaders and community figures.
The meeting raised eyebrows due to its brevity, lack of public engagement, and transparency concerns.
Commissioner Robert Windhorst (R) first nominated Paul Spencer (R) of Bluewater, Alcon’s challenger in the November general election, but the motion failed without a second. Shortly after, Commissioner Martha Garcia (D) nominated Harry Garcia, citing his experience, seniority, and established relationships in the legislature.
The motion passed unanimously.
Meanwhile, McKinley County—which shares representation of District 6 with Cibola— chose a more deliberate path. Originally scheduled to decide on December 3, the McKinley Commission voted to table their nomination until December 17. On that day, they tabled it again, indefinitely, leaving many residents and political observers questioning whether the counties would align on a single nominee.
The Final Vote
On December 30, in a move that eliminates any ambiguity, the McKinley County Commission voted to nominate Harry Garcia, aligning with Cibola County’s earlier decision.
With both counties now in agreement, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is expected to formally appoint Garcia to represent District 6 in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Constitutional Questions Remain Despite this consensus, constitutional and ethical questions surrounding Harry Garcia's eligibility have not been fully resolved. Garcia, who currently represents District 69, changed his voter registration to District 6 on November 25— the same day Alcon’s resignation was announced.
The New Mexico Constitution (Article IV, Section 3) 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.”
While the timing of Garcia’s voter registration change technically meets the residency requirement for District 6, critics argue that this maneuver raises significant ethical concerns and undermines the spirit of representative governance.
Additionally, questions persist about whether District 6 constituents were adequately consulted during the nomination process. Local leaders from smaller communities, including Milan and Pinehill, have expressed frustration over their lack of input in such an important decision.
What Happens Next?
With both counties aligned in their nomination of Garcia, the final step now rests in the hands of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. Once appointed, Garcia will serve the remainder of Alcon’s term, which ended December 31, 2024.
This story is developing, and the Cibola Citizen will continue to provide updates as they become available.