by Cheyenne Stedham
In the beginning, most citizens were content with our new governor, Michelle Lujan-Grisham, elected in 2019. In November of 2020, the New Mexico Supreme Court ruled to pass legislation that empowers the governor and state officials to issue and enforce orders due to a public health emergency. Courts have since upheld the governor’s actions on the health mandates.
Once Covid-19 made its appearance, some citizens of the state of New Mexico began to feel out of place when requirements and regulations seemed to be more harsh than other states. Governor Michelle Lujan-Grisham ordered and authorized what some view as illegal actions that included possible violations of the constitutionally protected rights of the people of New Mexico.
Citizens are disheartened in that they feel they have a governor who doesn’t care to listen, or care in general. Larry Marker, an oil producer from Roswell, has studied the New Mexico constitution front to back. A New Mexico governor cannot be impeached; however, a petition to bring the governor before a jury can be convened by the people should they feel it’s necessary. At least 2% of the voter population is required for the grand jury petition. He had mentioned to one of my sources that he is more excited to file in Roosevelt county than he is his own. “I want to bring hope to the citizens of Roosevelt county and let them know they have a voice and it will be heard,” Marker says.
Roosevelt county is the fourth county in New Mexico to file a petition for a grand jury to hear allegations against Governor Lujan-Grisham for state constitutional violations such as malfeasance, misfeasance, and violation of oath of office.
