Sharer named new Senate minority leader
Nov. 7—Farmington Sen. Bill Sharer will be the next minority leader of the New Mexico Senate.
Sharer was picked unanimously Thursday, Senate Republicans said in a news release. He replaces Sen. Greg Baca, R-Belen, who did not run for reelection this year.
Sharer, who has served in the Legislature since 2001, said he was honored to be chosen for the position.
"I intend to usher in an era of unity and conservative principles to the Senate Republican caucus," he said in a statement. "The overtaxed and hard-working men and women of New Mexico will have a voice in this caucus. Now is not the time to sit idly by."
Sharer, known for his filibusters, fired a shot at progressives, saying they've run New Mexico into the ground and created a climate hostile to business.
"We will act to bring New Mexico back from the brink with conservative solutions and leadership," he said.
Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, said he congratulated Sharer and wished him well.
"Senator Sharer and I have a good relationship and, assuming my colleagues in the Democratic caucus elect me to continue my role as the majority leader, I look forward to working with him to maintain the productivity and collegiality the New Mexico state Senate is known for," he said in a statement.
Republicans also picked Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, as minority whip, and Sen. David Gallegos, R-Eunice, as caucus chair.
The Senate GOP struck an optimistic note in its statement; Woods alluded to the Republican victories in Tuesday's election and said the election will have "implications in New Mexico." Gallegos said Republicans hope to attract "traditional Hispanic voters," who he described as "conservative, pro-family voters," into the GOP coalition.
"We also must get serious about the border crisis, which is the number one issue right now for all New Mexicans, and begin implementing reforms similar to those being done in Texas to stem the tide of crime and drugs infecting our state," Gallegos said.
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