John Block Nominated for Senate Seat to Replace Nick Paul in Split 2-1 Decision

In a rare midterm vacancy, Senator Nicholas Paul stepped down from his District 33 seat on October 14, 2025, less than a year into his term. The resignation triggered a statutory appointment process governed by New Mexico law, which empowers the county commissions within the district to nominate a replacement. District 33 spans parts of Otero and Lincoln Counties, with a sliver of influence from Chaves County, making the vote a multi-county affair.

A special meeting was held in Roswell to interview the candidates last week and then Friday morning a joint session between the Lincoln County and Otero County Commissions was held in Ruidoso to interview the candidates. The interviews were streamed and are available via YouTube in the link below

Chaves Country nominated Rex Wilson as their nominee to the governors desk.

On Wednesday, the Chaves County Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to send the name of Rex Wilson to the governor as a Republican from Ancho, to the Senate District 33 seat The seat had been held by Republican Nicholas Paul of Alamogordo, who abruptly resigned from the Senate  citing health concerns.

Wilson, who served as a Lincoln County Commissioner from 1997 to 2003 and is a rancher and former regional director for Presbyterian Health Services.

Photo courtesy New Mexico Political Report

At 4pm the Otero County Commission met in special session with a vote. Amy Barela and  Vickie Marquardt claimed it to be a difficult decision but they had to support the local candidate. Mrs Barela claimed her support was because they don’t want someone from “the outside” to represent the district. RB Nichols County Attorney and John Block House Seat 51 were the two local candidates. In a split vote Barela and Marquardt voted yes for John Block and Commissioner Gerald  Matherly visibly not wanting that selection voted no. John Block is the Otero County nominee to go to the governors desk.

A link to the vote is below 

Rep. John Block has been a hotbed of controversy and is currently in the middle of a breakup from his former male domestic partner that has resulted in a lawsuit that is in the courts for breach of contract. This breakup places shade on his narrative of Christian fundamentalist that supports strong family values. Blocks record in the house has been a non effective and has not delivered on his campaign promises. 

Reaction from community members watching the selection was swift with several suggesting they will be writing the governors office in opposition of Block on Monday. 

Lincoln County will vote for their nominee Monday at 10am. Nominations from each county go to the governor and the governor must appoint one of the three

The individual selected will then represent the district in an upcoming special session November 10th, if the governor acts fast, and in the regular session in 2026

The appointee with then also have to run in the June primary and the 2026 general election to hold on to the seat beyond Dec 31, 2026.

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