Moderate New Mexico Senate Democrats could face primary foes
SANTA FE - With the dust from New Mexico's 60-day legislative session finally settled, progressive groups are already taking aim at some moderate Senate Democrats who helped put the brakes on several high-profile bills.
Those who could face challenges include two longtime lawmakers who hold key positions: Senate Finance Committee Chairman John Arthur Smith of Deming and Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces.
But the state's Democratic Party chairwoman says there's no "litmus test" for legislators who are elected to represent diverse districts statewide — and no punishment for Democrats who stray from the party's platform.
"We put the platform out there and we don't chop anyone's head off for not following it 100 percent," party Chairwoman Marg Elliston told the Albuquerque Journal.
Read more: https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/15/new-mexico-senate-moderate-democrats-could-face-primary-foes/3466802002/