This sure caught me by surprise and from what I am reading I don’t think I am the only one. This is a huge loss for New Mexico. Huge loss for the GOP, as Alonzo is a true leader! I remember when Alonzo came into the KKIM Radio studio years ago with his lovely wife to announce he was going to run for office. He made an impression on me that family is so very important to him and his wife. Yes! The family unit! The family unit in New Mexico is being torn apart in so many ways. My thoughts are, it is going to get tougher to get solid people like Alonzo to run with office with such chaos in state and federal government. Thank you Alonzo for all your hard work! We will be praying for you and your family as you go forth into 2022. Amen! I was thanking God for your service Alonzo, and the thought came to me, I do not get the opportunity to write about SOLID LEADERS often enough! You have made a wonderful impact on many.
FGGAM also received this news release from the NM GOP:
Rep. Alonzo Baldonado retiring from state legislature
Los Lunas, NM – State Representative Alonzo Baldonado (R-Los Lunas) today announced he is retiring from serving NM House District 8 in Valencia County. Rep. Baldonado has served in the New Mexico Legislature since 2011 and was the House Majority Whip from 2015 through 2017.
“Today I am retiring from serving in House District 8, in Valencia County,” said State Representative Alonzo Baldonado (R-Los Lunas). “I am proud of the work our community has done over the past decade and I hope that in a small way I was able to help with those efforts to make Los Lunas, Bosque Farms, Peralta, Rio Communities and Belen a better place to live. I look forward to seeing continued growth in our community and state.”
Rep. Baldonado is a member of the House Education Committee and House Commerce & Economic Development Committee. Representing Valencia County, Rep. Baldonado has pursued efforts to support the community through economic development and infrastructure improvement. Most recently, Rep. Baldonado and other area lawmakers were successful in a decades-long effort to deliver a much needed hospital and additional freeway interchange for Los Lunas to the county.
“First I would like to thank Rep. Alonzo Baldonado for his service to Valencia County and our entire state, his presence and knowledge of the legislative process will be greatly missed,” said House Republican Leader Jim Townsend (Artesia). “From serving as the House Majority Whip to serving on the Education Committee, and standing up for conservative values, Rep. Baldonado has always worked diligently to move New Mexico towards prosperity. Our entire Republican caucus sends our thanks to Rep. Baldonado and wishes him the best in the future.”
According to state law, the Valencia County Commission will appoint a replacement State Representative for House District 8.