NM Gov's brother withdraws himself as Highlands student regent nominee
The Roundhouse in Santa Fe pictured Jan. 24, 2024. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM)
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham's brother has opted out of becoming the new student regent for New Mexico Highlands University, citing the 'distraction' his nomination had become, Gregory Lujan told Source New Mexico on Monday.
The governor's appointment of her brother, first reported Feb. 17 in Source New Mexico, came amid legislative efforts to reform university governance in the wake of a spending scandal at Western New Mexico University. Lujan referenced the fallout from the Silver City university in a statement he texted to Source New Mexico.
'Given the ongoing situation at Western New Mexico University, I feel it has become a significant distraction,' Lujan said of his appointment as student regent. 'And I want to ensure it does not negatively impact my family, employment, or education.'
Lujan said his new job at the New Mexico Game and Fish Department is where he will instead be 'continuing my family's long tradition of public service.' Lujan told the Santa Fe New Mexican he's taken a job there as a procurement and loss-prevention specialist.
As Legislature debates improving university boards, NM Gov names brother as NMHU student regent
'I would like to sincerely thank my friends, family, employers, and well wishers for their kind words of support, as well as those that took the time to write beautiful letters of recommendation on my behalf,' he said in his statement to Source.
Lujan Grisham has said she encouraged her brother to apply for the job because she thought he'd be a great fit for the two-year, unpaid position on the board overseeing the university based in Las Vegas, N.M. Current regents told Source New Mexico that Lujan has been a student for the last couple of years.
The appointment, which is subject to Senate confirmation, had not yet been scheduled. Some Senate Republicans criticized the governor for choosing her brother.
To be selected as regent, Lujan applied to the university president, who passed the recommendation onto the governor. Some lawmakers are seeking to amend the state Constitution to require a similar process for all regents, not just student-regents, in part to restore confidence in regent appointments now sometimes perceived as political handouts or cronyism.
Other bills would require regents to act as fiduciaries and take additional training.
Lujan said he was grateful to the Highlands Board of Regents and to his sister for appointing him.
'While this decision was not easy, I remain committed to serving the people of New Mexico,' Lujan said.
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