Mary Kuper "Kay" Papen (born March 19, 1932)[1][2] is an American politician who served as a member of the New Mexico Senate from January 2001 to January 2021.[3][4][5]
Career
Papen has faced criticism for blocking legislation that would allow voters to consider an amendment that would fund early childhood programs using 1% more yearly from the state's $18 million Land Grant Permanent Fund.
From 2013 to 2021, Papen also served as president pro tempore of the New Mexico Senate and has led a coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats who hold leadership positions in the state Senate, despite the body's 26–16 Democratic majority.
In the 2020 election, Papen faced a primary challenge from Carrie Hamblen, then president of the Las Cruces Green Chamber of Commerce. In the June 2, 2020 Democratic primary, Papen was defeated by Hamblen.[6]
References
- ^ "Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-NM)". CQRCengage.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ "Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-NM 38th District)". Capwiz.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ Simonich, Milan (December 5, 2011). "State Sen. Mary Kay Papen to seek re-election". Las Cruces Sun-News. Archived from the original on January 6, 2014.
- ^ "Senator Mary Kay Papen - (D)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ "Mary Papen - Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
- ^ Dunlap, Susan; Reichbach, Matthew (2020-06-04). "State Senators John Arthur Smith, Mary Kay Papen lose in primary". The NM Political Report. Retrieved 2020-06-06.
External links
- Senator Mary Kay Papen - (D) at the NM Senate website
- Mary Papen - Biography at Project Vote Smart
- Follow the Money – Mary Kay Papen