NM Senate veteran Payne not running for reelection in 2020
He notes District 20 is a ‘competitive’ race
SANTA FE — A top New Mexico state Senate Republican announced Monday he will not seek reelection next year, setting the stage for an open race in an Albuquerque-based district that’s long been a GOP stronghold.
Senate Minority Whip Bill Payne said he plans to serve out the remainder of his four-year term that ends in 2020, but said the timing was right to step aside after next year.
“It has been an honor to represent the district and I look forward to providing my eventual successor any assistance they may need to understand the complexities of state government and the serious issues facing the state,” Payne told the Journal.
Payne, a lawyer and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, has represented the Senate District 20 seat that includes part of eastern Albuquerque and the Sandia foothills since 1997. He is currently the chamber’s second-highest ranking
Republican.
During this year’s 60-day legislative session, Payne co-sponsored a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters next year, will overhaul the state Public Regulation Commission by making members of the regulatory body appointed, not elected.
He was also the sponsor of a 2012 public corruption law that allows a judge to fine convicted public officials up to the value of their salaries and “fringe benefits.”
While the Senate District 20 seat has been held by a Republican for at least the past 26 years, it could be target- ed by Democrats next year, when all 112 legislative seats will be up for election.
In 2016, Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton narrowly outpaced Republican Donald Trump among Senate District 20 voters, according to the online Daily Kos website.
Already, two Democrats — medical executive Martin Hickey and film industry worker Rebecca “Puck” Stair — have announced 2020 campaigns for the seat, and more candidates could emerge in the coming months.
Democrats currently hold a majority in both New Mexico legislative chambers and picked up eight seats in the state House last year — with most of those victories posted in the Albuquerque area.
“As one of the few competitive districts in the state, I hope a number of pragmatic, experienced professionals enter the race to compete for this office,” Payne said in an email.
Payne’s decision means there are now at least five legislators not planning to run for reelection next year. Democratic Reps. Jim Trujillo of Santa Fe, Abbas Akhil of Albuquerque, Joseph Sanchez of Alcalde and Bill Pratt of Albuquerque are the others.
Meanwhile, there is also one vacant seat in the Senate, as Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is awaiting names from county commissioners before filling the vacancy in Senate District 6 caused by the Sept. 17 death of longtime Sen. Carlos Cisneros.