Publisher's journal: We're going to miss that distinguished cat

Last week was one full of high praise for state Sen. Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, who announced his retirement at age 75 after 10 terms in office.

“I will really miss seeing Stuart in Santa Fe,” said former prosecutor and state Rep. Andrea Reeb, R-Clovis.

“Whether I was there representing the district attorneys or as a legislator, he was always supportive and helpful when I had issues or questions.

“He served our area well and will be missed in the Roundhouse.”

Reeb also described him as “awesome.”

“He always calls me ‘kiddo’ and tells me to not worry so much,” she said.

Even the Democrats had nice things to say about the state’s longest-serving senator.

Sen. Peter Wirth, D-Santa Fe, told The Santa Fe New Mexican that Ingle’s retirement is “a big loss for the Senate.” Wirth said Ingle has an “incredible institutional history,” and set a tone where the two major parties “can disagree but do so in a way that is not disagreeable.

“Stuart Ingle is a man of his word. ... I saw firsthand, despite our different party affiliation, we could collaborate to do good things for the chamber and for the state.”

I’ve been interviewing Ingle for about 30 years and always found him accessible, thoughtful, knowledgeable and plain spoken.

Not at all like most politicians.

The last time I remember interviewing him in person was in Portales at some kind of a legislative session recap. He was talking about the importance of public schools teaching basics, such as reading, writing and arithmetic. He said he learned his multiplication tables in third grade and had been putting that knowledge to use his entire life.

Of course I had to test him. Nine times six? Three times four? I think I even threw in a 12 times something. He made a hundred, according to my calculator.

But somehow I doubt the patient, kind, grandfatherly Stuart Ingle we all see around town hall meetings and answering reporters’ questions on TV during the legislative sessions is all there is to him.

After surviving and thriving 39 years in the swamp that is politics, he must have a crustier side.

For that, we turn to Karl Terry, a local journalist for decades who’s now the executive director of the Portales Chamber of Commerce. I doubt many know Ingle better than Terry.

“Stuart’s not a cute kitten,” Terry said. “He’s a flea-infested barn cat that none of the cow dogs will mess with.”

That’s what I figured.

But it’s nice that he’s always been able to present himself publicly with dignity and been able to accomplish the difficult work of government responsibly behind the scenes.

We’re all going to miss you, Senator.

David Stevens is publisher of Clovis Media Inc. Email him at:

[email protected]

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