Stansbury: Haaland would make 'extraordinary governor'
After addressing lawmakers in a joint session Thursday, U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury took questions from reporters for nearly 45 minutes.
"We wanted to just make myself available if you guys have any questions or any follow-ups on the speech or anything else that's happening in the world of Congress," Stansbury, who represents New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, said at the start of the briefing.
No question was off-limits, and the conversation eventually turned to state politics and the gubernatorial race, which Deb Haaland, a former congresswoman and interior secretary, is preparing to jump into.
Stansbury said Haaland, whom she succeeded after Haaland stepped down to become interior secretary, would make an "extraordinary governor."
"She has shown herself to not only be an extraordinary leader, but the significance of New Mexico being the first state in the United States to have a Native American governor would completely change the course of history, a woman Native American governor," she said. "You can't underestimate the impact of representation, and the millions of people not only here in the United States who saw an Indigenous woman serving as our first Cabinet secretary — and then hopefully serving as our governor — not only inspired people all over the United States but all over the world."
Celebrating immigrants' contributions
Immigrant rights advocates and their allies will be participating Monday in the annual Immigrant and Workers’ Day of Action at the Capitol.
The event, organized by Somos Un Pueblo Unido, includes a march and a rally.
The march is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. at Railyard Park, followed by the rally a half-hour later on the east side of the Roundhouse.
"We will celebrate immigrants' invaluable contributions to New Mexico and demand stronger protections for immigrant workers and their families and deeper investments in workforce development opportunities for low-wage workers," a news release states.
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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., is shown in 2023.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján generated a lot of ink this week.
From Politico to U.S. News & World Report, New Mexico's junior senator appeared in several reports noting his questioning of President Donald Trump's nominees in confirmation hearings. Luján also appeared on Meet the Press NOW.
His office highlighted each of the media appearances, issuing a news release saying Luján "has been actively engaging in critical Senate hearings, holding nominees accountable to protect essential services and programs for New Mexicans and every American."
"As a member of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, Transportation, and the Senate Committee on the Budget, Senator Luján has been at the forefront of pressing key nominees on their positions on working for the American people and upholding the law," the release states.
The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro.Â
Luis Sánchez Saturno/New Mexican file photo
State forester receives recognition
New Mexico Tech's Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources is recognizing State Forester Laura McCarthy with its Earth Science Achievement Award for Public Service and Public Policy at the Capitol on Feb. 17.
New Mexico Tech, also known as New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, called McCarthy a public servant who has advanced the role of earth science in public policy.
"Under her leadership, the State Forestry Division has doubled in size, modernized its business systems, and taken on the challenges of postfire recovery and reforestation of burned areas with the year 2100 climate in mind," a news release states. "She is committed to an ecosystem-based approach to forest health, drawing on her decades of experience as a forester, wildland firefighter, and policy advisor."