SANTA FE – Following the announcement by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham that Public Education Department Secretary Ryan Stewart is stepping down, Senate Republican leaders today released the following statement:

"The constant leadership turnover in this administration is beyond troubling and we are deeply concerned about the short- and long-term impacts on our state. In this case, the department charged with overseeing public education in New Mexico will have its third Cabinet Secretary in less than three years."

"We wish the new Secretary-Designate all the best as he assumes leadership at a department riddled with instability and facing monumental challenges caused by the Governor's shutdowns, including historic learning loss and rapidly declining enrollment. New Mexico children deserve much better than what this administration has put forward so far, and we hope this leadership change represents a shift in the policies that currently have our state at the bottom nationally in education and child well-being."

Senate Republican Leader, Senator Greg Baca (District 29-Bernalillo and Valencia)
Senate Republican Whip, Senator Craig Brandt (District 40-Sandoval)
Senate Republican Caucus Chair, Senator Mark Moores (District 21-Bernalillo)