New Mexico Democrats nominate new House speaker

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic state lawmakers in New Mexico have picked Rep. Brian Egolf of Santa Fe as their choice for speaker of the House. House Democrats met Sunday in the state capital to decide on key leadership roles after reclaiming the majority of seats in the House of Representatives in elections earlier this month. Staff for the Democratic House leadership say the next majority leader will be Rep. Sheryl Stapleton of Albuquerque, while Rep. Doreen Gallegos of Las Cruces will serve as majority whip. Democrats also hold a majority in the Senate, and must contend with the veto authority of second-term Republican Gov. Susana Martinez. The speaker position is not final until a full vote of the House in January. An attorney, Egolf served this year as House minority leader.