A farewell to ‘Lucky’
The death of former state Rep. Luciano “Lucky” Varela is a loss for all of New Mexico. His service to his fellow citizens came first through his job in state government, where he worked in various financial positions, including state comptroller. In the 1980s, Varela began serving in the House of Representatives, where he remained until 2016, becoming an acknowledged expert on state finances. Varela, 82, died Saturday at his home in Santa Fe, with his family beside him.
The work he did for New Mexico was bipartisan in nature, refreshing in these days of bitter battles among political foes. Republicans and Democrats alike over the years praised both Varela’s knowledge of state finance and his ability to work with all sides. His example of being able to disagree without being disagreeable is one all of us, including politicians, would do well to emulate.
Most of all, Varela worked not just to balance the state budget, but to ensure that the way New Mexico spent its money reflected its priorities. As the state’s budget crisis worsened in recent years, he sought to ensure that New Mexico both did not overspend or cut necessary services. He fought for education funding, investments in technology and the kinds of spending that pay off. Over the years, he sponsored measures to provide universal health care and raise the minimum wage for workers — the well-being of people remained at the heart of his work.
A Pecos native, Varela represented District 48 in Santa Fe, but he loved retreating to his family’s property in his beloved mountains. He remained true to his village roots even as he grew in stature in the Legislature. A former longtime Legislative Finance Council worker remembered how Varela was “well-known among state employees as our ‘champion’ and advocate. He is a man of faith. I would see him at St. Anne’s [Parish] when I would take my father.”
That was typical of Varela, who contributed much without always needing to call attention to what he did, whether in the Legislature or at church. Rest in peace, Rep. Varela. You are and will be missed.