GRANTS, N.M. – After months of political deadlock, House District 6 remains without a representative in the New Mexico Legislature. However, that may soon change, as Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office has confirmed that an announcement will be made Wednesday, Feb. 26. regarding the appointment to fill the seat.
While the decision remained shrouded in mystery at press time, the Office of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham confirmed via email that the governor will “be making an announcement tomorrow.” The email from Deputy Communications Director Jodi McGinnis Porter came in at 5:06 p.m. on Feb. 25.
The House District 6 seat became vacant on November 25, 2024, when Representative Eliseo “Lee” Alcon resigned due to health concerns. The vacancy has since spiraled into a drawnout political crisis, marked by two separate nomination processes, investigations into nominee residency requirements, and continued delays in representation.
Now, with more than three months without a representative and just over a month remaining in the 2025 Legislative Session, the governor’s forthcoming decision will determine who will serve the district’s constituents in Grants, Zuni, Crownpoint, and surrounding areas.
The Road to This Decision
The appointment process for House District 6 has been plagued with controversy and setbacks.
Initially, both Cibola and McKinley County Commissions nominated former Representative Harry Garcia to fill the vacancy. However, his residency was called into question, prompting an investigation by the New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ).
That investigation found that Garcia did not actually live in House District 6, leading Governor Lujan Grisham to reject his appointment on January 21. The counties were forced to restart the nomination process, further delaying representation for District 6.
On January 28, Cibola County selected former State Senator Clemente Sanchez as their nominee, while McKinley County, on February 4, chose former Cibola County Commissioner Martha Garcia. The governor was then tasked with choosing between the two, but another investigation into Sanchez’s residency was requested on February 10, stalling the process once again.
As of press time, the New Mexico Department of Justice had not responded to requests for updates on the investigation.
What Comes Next?
While the governor’s announcement on Feb. 26 will determine the fate of House District 6’s representation, the timing of this decision means it will not make the print edition of this newspaper. Readers are encouraged to check the governor’s website for the official announcement at www.governor.state.nm.us/pres s-releases/.
The Cibola Citizen will continue to follow this developing story, providing updates online and in future editions. After more than three months of uncertainty, the residents of House District 6 may finally have a representative in Santa Fe.
Editor’s Note: The Cibola Citizen will continue tracking this story. With only 23 days remaining in the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Session and the deadline for introducing new legislation now passed, House District 6—vacant since November— may finally have a representative. However, the newspaper cautions that an “announcement” does not necessarily mean a nominee will be selected.