'A heart for the people': former state senator, labor secretary Clinton Harden Jr. dies

Former New Mexico state Sen. Clinton Harden Jr. was known for his political civility, reaching across the political aisle and being an advocate for rural communities and children with autism.

“I think if there was something to take away from his life, it’s that we need to turn back to civility and be able to come to the table together as people who want what’s best for their state and the country, for that matter,” said Kathy Elliott, Harden’s friend and lobbying colleague.

Harden died on Saturday night of complications from blood cancer. He was 78.

The Clovis Republican served as state senator from 2002-12 and was the former state labor secretary under former Gov. Gary Johnson, 1995-2003.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a news release on Sunday that Harden served with “distinction” for eastern New Mexico, “but his good work benefitted every corner of our state.”

“Whether championing children with autism and their families, removing barriers for those re-entering the workforce after incarceration, or advancing early childhood education,” Lujan Grisham said, “Clint understood the importance of standing up for New Mexicans.”

‘A heart for the people’

Harden was born in Belen on April 12, 1947.

He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, where he played football and was teammates with future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Roger Staubach, and the University of Utah.

After working for an insurance company in Utah, he moved to Clovis and purchased the Twin Cronnie Drive-In. He earned a Master of Business Administration at Eastern New Mexico University before working on Johnson’s gubernatorial campaign.

After Johnson was elected, Harden was named labor secretary, and Elliott said Harden “really worked diligently for job equity and for people to be able to be put to work.”

“He played a role for people who had been incarcerated advocating for them to be able to apply for a job without having to declare their history,” she said. “He thought that gave them the opportunity to start fresh.”

Johnson later picked Harden to replace Pat Lyons in the state Senate.

As a state legislator, Elliott said Harden “was an advocate for so many in the state,” including children with autism. For example, in 2009, he successfully sponsored Senate Bill 39, which required insurance companies to cover autism treatment for children and teens.

Regardless of the issues, Harden thought it was important to work with people on both sides of the political spectrum, his wife, Kathrine Harden, said.

“He felt it was important that both sides did what was best for all New Mexicans and that the only way to do that (was) to get everybody on the same page,” she said.

After Harden left office, he became a lobbyist, advocating for rural New Mexico communities, Elliott said.

When Harden was not dealing with politics, Elliott said he was “the life of the party.”

“He was gregarious,” she said. “He wanted to just be friends with everyone. He was also strong-willed, but compassionate. It didn’t matter who you were. He loved to sit down and have a talk with you and just learn about who you were.”

Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, said Harden “had a heart for the people.”

Woods said he remembered his church needing someone to give a sermon and Harden answered the call. He preached about “loving your neighbor as yourself, the First Commandment,” Woods said.

“In this Legislature, it’s kind of hard to do (that),” he said.

Harden is survived by wife Kathrine Harden, daughters Danielle Henderson and Dionne Fish, son Dustin Harden, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are being planned, Harden said.

“Many different folks, whether they are Democrats or Republicans, will miss the guy because he brought a lot to the table,” Elliott said. “He was an example of what politicians are supposed to be.”