Gabriel Ramos speaking to commissioners before his appointment. Photo Courtesy of Tom VaughanBy Mary Alice Murphy

This morning, Gabriel Ramos received a call confirming that he would replace now-Lt. Gov. Howie Morales as the senator for New Mexico District 28, which is made up of portions of Grant, Catron and Socorro counties.

All three county commissions chose Ramos as their preference to fill the seat. Catron and Socorro counties chose him unanimously, with Grant County commissioners splitting 3-2, with the majority choosing Ramos.

At one point as many as nine residents of Grant County had applied for the position. Several dropped out along the way and supported their preferred candidate. One thought about applying, but supported Ramos and one dropped out to support Ramos, who has held several local offices, including municipal councilor, county clerk and county commissioner, although he was termed out at the end of last year. The others chose a woman, who has not held any local political office to the Beat's knowledge.

Late last week, a request came from the state to the counties to submit other names.

The Constitution of the State of New Mexico states: "If a vacancy occurs in the office of senator or member of the house of representatives, for any reason, the county commissioners of the county wherein the vacancy occurs shall fill such vacancy by appointment."

According to
2011 New Mexico Statutes
Chapter 2: Legislative Branch
Article 8D: 2002 Senate Redistricting Act,
Section 2-8D-4: Elections; vacancies.
"A. Members of the senate shall be elected for terms of four years.
B. If a vacancy occurs in the office of senator for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled as follows:
(1) for a senate district that is situated wholly within the exterior boundaries of a single county, the board of county commissioners of that county shall appoint the senator to fill the vacancy; and
(2) for a senate district situated within two or more counties:
(a) the board of county commissioners of each county in the senate district shall submit one name to the governor; and
(b) the governor shall appoint the senator to fill the vacancy from the list of names so submitted.
C. An appointment to fill a vacancy in the senate shall be for a term ending on December 31 after the next general election."

Each county followed this statute by submitting one name to the governor. That name was the same for all three counties—Gabriel Ramos.

However, due to opposition to that candidate from some quarters, the request for additional names was made last week.

On Monday, Grant, Socorro and Catron counties replied to the request by saying that the commissioners in each county had held meetings and had duly chosen Ramos as the name to be submitted. They requested that he be named to fill the vacant senator seat so that the residents of the district would be represented fully for the 2019 NM Legislative session and going forward through 2020 when the next general election will be held.