SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) New Mexico House Democrats have chosen a new leader now that they'll be the minority in that legislative chamber. Democratic representatives over the weekend elected Rep. Brian Egolf of Santa Fe to serve as the House minority leader when the Legislature begins his 2015 session on Jan. 20.
Egolf defeated three other candidates to win election on the first ballot Saturday as House Democrats reorganized after the Nov. 4 election saw Republicans win a majority of the House.
Democratic lawmakers also elected Rep. Sheryl Williams Stapleton of Albuquerque as minority whip and Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero of Albuquerque as caucus chair. The current House speaker, Rep. Ken Martinez of Grants, will remain in the Legislature, but he decided against seeking a leadership post again.
