A California-born jeweler who only ran for a statehouse seat because he couldn't find another candidate is hoping to make his mark as New Mexico's first Republican House Speaker in 60 years.
Don Tripp of Socorro was elected this week as the new top leader in the New Mexico House of Representatives.
Tripp told The Associated Press he never expected to have the position.
The 68-year-old lawmaker says he's focused on passing a series of measures aimed at improving New Mexico's economy and educational system.
Tripp says he remembers as a 6-year-old boy listening to news on the radio about the election of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. That's the last time the GOP narrowly captured the New Mexico House before losing control by a wide margin two years later.
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