The Senate Chambers inside the Roundhouse on Jan. 10, 2024. (Photo by Anna Padilla for Source NM)
Among the first items on the New Mexico Senate’s agenda when the Legislature meets in the new year will be choosing whether to confirm the governor’s picks to lead state agencies.
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, will likely see her nominees approved because her party holds a majority in the Senate.
Lujan Grisham has designated five people since the last legislative session to serve in her Cabinet:
- Manny Barreras is the secretary-designee for the Department of Information Technology.
- Rob Black is the secretary-designee for the Economic Development Department.
- Emily Kaltenbach is the secretary-designee for the Aging and Long-Term Services Department.
- Melanie Kenderdine is the secretary-designee for the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
- Mariana Padilla is the secretary-designee for the Public Education Department.
Two additional agency leaders are in acting roles, but Lujan Grisham has not officially nominated them to the Cabinet: