SANTA FE — Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s choice to lead the New Mexico Department of Health was questioned Friday by senators about her departure from a high-level position in Oregon state government and the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Patrick Allen eventually showed himself through a 26-five vote in the Senate, with five Republican senators voting “no. “
The confirmation vote took position on the day New Mexico eclipsed the grim milestone of 9,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 since the pandemic hit the state in March 2020.
While the state’s Health Secretariat reduced the frequency of its COVID-19 epidemiological reports from weekly to biweekly, the firm has continued to track virus-like deaths, cases and hospitalizations.
As of this week, state data shows that about one in three New Mexicans, or about 645,000 other people, have tested positive for the virus at least once and have fully recovered, though the actual number could be even higher.
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Allen, who was appointed through Lujan Grisham in December, began working in the fitness branch last month, just two weeks before the start of the 60-day legislative session.
Several senators raised questions Friday about his resignation from the Oregon Health Authority, which came after several gubernatorial candidates indicated they would retain him if elected.
Allen defended his record, but said he understands the political fallout from the pandemic and the emerging number of homeless people living in Portland, the state’s largest city.
“I told other people that if I ran for governor, I would have fired myself as well. “Allen testified at the Senate Rules Committee hearing.
Sen. Cliff Pirtle, R-Roswell, also asked Allen if he could make any unpopular decisions for the governor, to which Allen replied in the affirmative.
But Pirtle still voted against his confirmation, saying, “We want a fitness secretary willing to resist political pressure from the governor, and although I can’t confirm Mr. Governor’s confirmation. Allen, I hope you prove me wrong and serve our citizens well. “”
Allen isn’t the only new cabinet secretary in Lujan Grisham’s management to show up Friday, as the workforce chief responds that Sarita Nair also showed in a 30-0 vote.
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