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SANTA FE – Democrat Katy Duhigg is in line to serve as the next chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee at the Roundhouse, where she would fill a vacancy created when Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto gave up the post.
The appointment of Duhigg, an attorney who defeated a Republican incumbent in the 2020 general election, was endorsed by a Senate panel on Thursday, but her selection will have to be ratified by the full Senate when the 60-day session begins next month.
The Senate Committees’ Committee voted 7-2 – with two Republicans opposed – in favor of the recommendations that included Duhigg’s new assignment.
Duhigg is a former Albuquerque city clerk – the office that runs municipal elections – giving her first-hand experience in one of the key topics handled by the Senate Rules Committee: voting and election legislation.
The committee also vets Cabinet-level and other appointees by the governor before the full Senate considers confirmation, among other duties.
Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, gave up his chairmanship of the Rules Committee in September after a sexual harassment investigation. He denied the allegations but said he didn’t want to be a distraction.
He has rebuffed calls from some advocacy groups to resign his Senate seat.
Duhigg’s appointment as chair was proposed by Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque.
Stewart also recommended a series of other changes to committees, which were approved.
For the record
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the year Katy Duhigg won election to the state Senate. It was 2020, not 2018.