CIBOLA COUNTY, N.M. – After three months of crisis, House District 6 finally has representation.
On February 27, just after 3 p.m., former Cibola County Commissioner Martha Garcia was officially sworn-in as the new representative for House District 6 in the New Mexico House of Representatives. This appointment by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham marks the end of a three-monthlong political debacle that left the district without a voice in Santa Fe.
Garcia, a longtime resident of Pine Hill and a former president of the Ramah Navajo School Board, assumes the seat following the resignation and subsequent passing of Rep. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon. The veteran legislator from Milan served District 6 for 16 years before stepping down due to health issues in November 2024. Alcon’s legacy is one of dedicated service, particularly to veterans and rural communities, and his passing in January 2025 was met with tributes from across the political spectrum.
A Shift in Political Power
For over a decade, House District 6’s representation was housed in Milan, where Alcon resided. Garcia’s appointment shifts the political seat westward into the more rural reaches of Cibola County. Her background as a Diné leader adds another layer of representation to the district, which includes significant Indigenous populations such as the Navajo and Zuni communities.
The vacancy in House District 6 triggered an unprecedented political crisis, fueled by legal battles, residency disputes, and delays in the nomination process.
December 3, 2024: The Cibola County Commission held a 15-minute meeting and nominated then-Representative Harry Garcia, who was still serving in House District 69, to fill the seat.
December 17: The McKinley County Commission delayed its decision, leaving the nomination in limbo.
December 30: McKinley County aligns with Cibola County in nominating Harry Garcia.
January 2, 2025: Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver responded to Governor Lujan Grisham’s concerns, stating that residency is determined by the sworn attestation of the candidate but offering no enforcement mechanism.
January 17: The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) found that Garcia did not actually live at the address listed in District 6. Investigators determined his listed residence was under renovation and uninhabited.
January 21: Governor Lujan Grisham formally rejected Garcia’s nomination, citing constitutional concerns.
January 28: The Cibola County Commission nominated former State Senator Clemente Sanchez, raising further questions about residency as he had only changed his voter registration after Alcon’s resignation.
February 4: The McKinley County Commission nominated Martha Garcia, setting up a choice for the governor.
February 10: The governor requested another investigation, this time into Sanchez’s residency.
February 25: The NMDOJ determined that Sanchez did meet the residency requirements but noted the ambiguity in state law regarding voter registration changes.
February 26: Governor Lujan Grisham appointed Martha Garcia to the seat.
Reaction and Moving Forward
Following the announcement, local officials and leaders expressed their support for Garcia’s appointment.
Grants City Councilwoman Beverly Michael stated, “Congratulations Representative Martha Garcia! You deserved the appointment!”
Ramah Navajo School Board President Jake Gjermundson also welcomed the news, saying, “I’m happy to hear this news today! We look forward to working with Representative Garcia, as she has great insight and understanding of Ramah Navajo. This is a huge accomplishment for her, and I want to send my congratulations! Nizhoni!”
Garcia will now serve on the House Rural Development, Land Grants, and Cultural Affairs Committee as well as the House Education Committee.
The political chaos surrounding House District 6 resulted in the district being unrepresented for over three months during a crucial legislative session. Without a House member, Cibola and McKinley counties had no direct representation on legislative decisions impacting local infrastructure, education, and economic development.
Garcia has co-sponsored one bill since taking office – House Memorial 15, which raises awareness of the health effects of radiation exposure and encourages Congress to expand compensation under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. This legislation highlights the ongoing issues faced by many of House District 6’s constituents due to uranium mining and nuclear testing in Cibola, McKinley, and New Mexico more broadly.
With Garcia’s appointment, House District 6 can finally move forward.
The crisis surrounding the seat exposed significant flaws in New Mexico’s legislative vacancy process, particularly regarding residency requirements for nominees, with Attorney General Raul Torrez informing the governor’s office twice that they want to work with the legislature to clarify the laws regarding residency.
Her appointment ends a political firestorm, but it also signals the beginning of a new chapter for the district— one where its residents once again have a voice in Santa Fe.