Former Lawmaker Remembered as ‘Dean’ of Lobbyists Dies
Duke City lawyer had a short turn as a district court judge
Robert “Bobby” McBride, a former state legislator and the so-called “dean” of the Capitol lobbying corps, died of lung cancer Saturday at the age of 75.
He was first elected to the state Senate in 1970 and served for four years, then had a brief and ill-fated turn as a district court judge, before launching into a long and colorful career as a lobbyist.
“Bobby was a skilled lobbyist, who had a keen knowledge of the legislative process from A to Z,” said Ed Mahr, his lobbying partner for 20 years. “He loved his pr o fe s s ion and loved the l eg i s lat ive process.”
A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Arroyo del Oso park and soccer fields on Spain NE, west of Wyoming.
McBride was born in Grants in 1937 to Max and Leonore McBride. His family moved to Albuquerque and he graduated from Menaul High School. He attended the University of New Mexico and got his law degree from Oklahoma City University.
After serving as a captain in the U.S. Air Force, he began practicing law in Albuquerque.
He won a close election to the Senate as a Democrat and served for four years. His brother, Abel, also served in the state Legislature.
“He was majority whip in the Senate, and I was majority whip of the House at same time,” said Abel “Billy” McBride.
He was re-elected in 1974, but before his term began, then-Gov. Jerry Apodaca appointed him as a 2nd Judicial District judge.
Shortly after, then-Attorney General Toney Anaya challenged his appointment because he said it violated a constitutional provision that prohibited members of the Legislature from taking a civil service job after raising the position’s pay. McBride was on the Legislature when it raised the salaries of judges in 1974. A June 1975 Supreme Court ruling forced him off the bench.
McBride said he was “disappointed” in the decision, according to a 1975 Journal article, but he returned to private law practice and began his career as a lobbyist.
Among his clients were pharmaceutical manufacturers, Philip Morris, and AmRep Inc. in Rio Rancho, Mahr said.
He was the “dean of the railbirds,” said Raymond G. Sanchez, former speaker of the House and McBride’s close friend. “Railbirds” was a term coined by the late newsman Ernie Mills that makes reference to the fact that lobbyists stand around a railing on the third floor of the state Capitol, he said.
“Bob’s reputation among legislators and other lobbyists was one of trust and admiration,” Sanchez said. “Whether or not he was dealing with Democrats or Republicans, he had ability to work with both sides of the aisle.”
McBride was an active member of New Mexico Amigos, a private group of leaders who serve as goodwill ambassadors for the state.
Besides work and family, he also loved golf, friends said, and enjoyed the “19th hole,” chatting with friends about politics and drinking beer after a round.
“He liked being around other people, and people liked being around him,” Mahr said.
McBride was the rare person who “knew how to live life,” Sanchez said.
“If he had a bucket list, it was empty by the time he died,” he said.
McBride is survived by his wife, Beth Ann; his three children, three grandchildren, three siblings, and lots of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.