Larrañaga, influential GOP rep., to retire
State Rep. Larry Larrañaga, an Albuquerque Republican with big influence over the state’s budget, dropped his re-election bid Tuesday, saying he will retire at the end of his term this year. The announcement from one of the most senior members of the state House of Representatives only 70 days from Election Day seemed to surprise many in Republican politics.
But Larrañaga, 80, is withdrawing amid family health issues.
“During the past few weeks, my family and I have experienced some new challenges,” Larrañaga said, describing his decision to drop out as a difficult choice.
With Larrañaga retiring after representing part of Albuquerque’s Northeast Heights since 1995, the state House will lose three of its most five most senior members this year. Rep. Nick Salazar, D-Ohkay Owingeh, is leaving after serving since 1973, and Rep. Debbie Rodella, D-Española, who joined the Legislature in 1993, was defeated in this year’s primary election.
A retired civil engineer and former secretary of the state highway department, Larrañaga has been an authority on New Mexico’s budget process and pushed legislation in recent years setting up a rainy day fund that lawmakers from both parties have praised as a step toward greater financial stability for
the state. It remains unclear who might take his place in the state House or even on the ballot in November.
Republican Party leaders in Bernalillo County have until Tuesday to nominate another candidate for the district, which spans from Interstate 25 east along Academy Road Northeast to Eubank and Juan Tabo boulevards.
Larrañaga said Tuesday he does not have anyone in mind for the Republican ticket for House District 27. “A number of people in the district are interested,” he said.
Retired physician Bill Pratt is running for the seat as the Democratic Party’s nominee.
While Larrañaga has handily won re-election in past years, Republicans in neighboring districts are leaving the House this year after some neighborhoods around that part of Albuquerque went for Hillary Clinton in 2016, signaling that GOP support there might be softening. Meanwhile, Democrats are hoping for victories around Albuquerque this year to expand their 38-32 majority in the state House.
Larrañaga said the seat is still safely Republican, however. “It’s still very much a conservative, hardworking, business-friendly district,” he said.