Republican state Rep. Jared Hembree steps down due to health issues

SANTA FE — Republican state Rep. Jared Hembree of Roswell abruptly stepped down from the state House due to health issues Saturday, just two months after winning election to a new term.

The decision by Hembree leaves two state House seats vacant with less than two weeks until the start of a 60-day legislative session.

In a statement released Saturday by the House GOP caucus, Hembree said the decision to step down was due to unforeseen health-related issues that require immediate attention.

“It is with a heavy heart that I step down from the state Legislature,” Hembree said. “Serving the people of my district has been a profound honor. My family and I believe in Chaves County, and we must prioritize my health to ensure we can serve in good faith in the future.”

Hembree, an attorney, was appointed to the Legislature in January 2024 to fill a seat that had been held by fellow Republican Greg Nibert.

After winning a contested primary election, Hembree was unopposed in last year’s general election.

In the wake of his resignation, it will be up to Chaves County commissioners to pick a successor for Hembree, since his House District 59 seat lies entirely within Chaves County. Whoever is appointed to the seat will serve a two-year term through 2026.

The other vacancy in the 70-member chamber is the House District 6 seat that had been held by former Rep. Eliseo Alcon, a Milan Democrat. Alcon stepped down due to health issues in November, shortly after winning reelection.

County commissioners in two counties have nominated former Rep. Harry Garcia, D-Grants, for that seat, but Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has expressed concerns about Garcia’s residency status in the district.

The governor is awaiting an opinion from Attorney General Raúl Torrez’s office on the situation before making an appointment decision, a Lujan Grisham spokesman said.

Meanwhile, Hembree’s resignation means Democrats now hold a 43-25 majority over Republicans in the House, pending appointments to the two vacant seats.

House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, thanked Hembree for his service and said the thoughts and prayers of the House GOP caucus were with Hembree and his family.

“Representative Hembree has been a mentor, friend, and inspiration to many of us and he will be greatly missed in the Roundhouse,” Armstrong said.

The 60-day legislative session starts Jan. 21.