SANTA FE, NM – House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong (R- Magdalena) is calling on the Doña Ana County Commission to reject any effort to appoint Democratic nominee Lori Martinez to the House District 37 seat recently vacated by Representative Joanne Ferrary.
Ferrary resigned only months before a contested general election and has endorsed Martinez to replace her. Appointing Martinez would immediately hand the Democratic nominee the power, visibility, and resources of incumbency before voters have chosen their next representative.
"This would be a blatant partisan power grab," Armstrong said. "The Democratic nominee should have to earn this seat from the voters, not receive it through a political appointment designed to tip the scales in her favor."
The next regular legislative session does not begin until January 2027, and no special session has been called. Armstrong said there is no urgent need to fill the seat now, making any immediate appointment of the Democratic nominee appear entirely political.
"This is not about ensuring House District 37 has representation during a legislative session," Armstrong said. "It is about using government power to manufacture an incumbent and give one political candidate an advantage she did not earn."
Armstrong is urging the Commission to appoint a qualified individual who is not running for the seat or leave the position vacant until voters decide the race in November.
"The voters of House District 37 should choose their next representative," Armstrong said. "That decision should not be made for them in a backroom appointment that benefits one party and one candidate."
Appointing the Democratic nominee would undermine public confidence in the fairness of the election and send a clear message that political insiders believe they should decide the outcome before voters cast their ballots.
The release reflects the concerns and requests raised in Leader Armstrong's July 28 letter to the Doña Ana County Commission.
