Gallegos to seek House leadership role

Sun-News report 4:13 p.m. MST November 16, 2016

LAS CRUCES – State Rep. Doreen Ybarra Gallegos, D-Las Cruces, announced Wednesday that she will run for House majority whip when Democrats meet this Sunday in Santa Fe to vote for their leadership team.

Democrats regained control of the House in the most recent election, after spending the last two years as the minority party.

“I am writing you to ask for your support to be your next majority whip,” Gallegos wrote in an email to her Democratic colleagues. “I have worked hard over the last four years on House Appropriations and Finance Committee and was very active during this recent campaign season.”

Gallegos was first elected to the Legislature in 2012 to represent District 52, which stretches from the New Mexico State University and Talavera areas south to Vado, Berino and Anthony. She was unopposed in this year’s election.

“Most importantly southern New Mexico has not been a part of House Leadership for many, many years. I believe it’s time to correct this problem,” Gallegos wrote in her email to colleagues. “Doña Ana County came through for Democrats, and I believe we have earned a place in House Leadership.”

Party whips are typically responsible for lining up votes and ensuring their members are present when key votes are taken.

Current Democratic leaders are Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, minority leader; Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-Albuquerque, minority whip; and Patricia Roybal Caballero, D-Albuquerque, Democratic caucus chair. All leadership spots will be selected Sunday, though the speaker of the House must be elected by a vote of the full House in January.