Former state senator remembered as 'financially responsible'

SANTA FE — Former state senator John Arthur Smith, a conservative Democrat who carved out a reputation for bucking governors' spending plans, died early Monday, a caucus spokesman said.

Smith, a Deming real estate appraiser, served in the Legislature from 1989 until 2020, when he was ousted by a primary opponent.

News of his death prompted a moment of silence at Monday's annual meeting of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association.

Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, who served with Smith in the Senate, said he felt heartbroken by Smith's passing, lauding him for his work to "really pave the way for many of the benefits that we currently have today."

As chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, Smith earned the nickname "Dr. No" from former Gov. Bill Richardson, who accused Smith and other top senators of holding pessimistic views of the state's economy.

Smith embraced the nickname while resisting budget initiatives proposed by three consecutive governors — Richardson, Republican Susana Martinez and Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, the state's current governor.

"I think he's probably going to go down as the most influential legislator in state history," former Senate Minority Whip Bill Payne, R-Albuquerque, said while honoring Smith on the Senate floor in 2020.

But Smith was not only a thorn in the side of governors, he was also a pragmatic lawmaker able to work with Democratic and Republican colleagues alike.

Shortly before leaving office, he teamed up with Rep. Doreen Gallegos, D-Las Cruces, to pass legislation creating a state early childhood trust fund.

That fund has exploded in size since its creation — from $300 million in 2020 to a projected $9.8 billion balance at the end of the current budget year.

Smith also played a key role in brokering a 2016 compromise bill bringing New Mexico into compliance with the federal Real ID law, while still allowing undocumented immigrants and others to obtain driving authorization cards.

However, the folksy senator also angered progressives by bottling up proposals to legalize adult-use cannabis in New Mexico and increase the distributions from the state's largest permanent fund for early childhood programs.

Under the legislative structure, Senate committee chairs have the authority to determine when to schedule bills — and if they are even heard at all. In some years, Smith did not hold a hearing on the permanent fund proposal once it reached his committee, saying it did not have the necessary votes to advance.

"I know the governor's determined, but I'm also determined to be financially responsible," he said in a 2019 interview.

Smith was ultimately defeated in the 2020 primary election by fellow Democrat Neomi Martinez-Parra of Lordsburg. She went on to lose the general election to Republican Crystal Brantley.

In all, five incumbent Senate Democrats were defeated in that year's primary election by more progressive challengers.

That paved the way for the Senate to approve measures the following year repealing a long-dormant state abortion ban and authorizing voters to decide whether to increase the permanent fund distributions.

The proposal was approved by statewide voters in 2022 by an overwhelming majority.

Journal staff writer Megan Gleason contributed to this report.