The New Mexico Senate has confirmed Gov. Susana Martinez's nominee to head the state's beleaguered child welfare agency.
Secretary of the Children, Youth and Families Department Monique Jacobson's nomination sailed through with a 35-2 vote Monday.
About two dozen senators voiced confidence in Jacobson, praising her organizational and leadership skills.
Las Cruces Democrat Sen. Mary Kay Papen said New Mexico families and children "are very lucky" to have Jacobson as the head of CYFD.
Jacobson previously headed the Tourism Department with less than 100 employees. She now leads a 2,400-member department.
Laying out her goals for CYFD, Jacobson told senators at the committee hearing that she was ready for the job despite lacking a background in social work.
Several senators said Jacobson had made believers out of them.
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