Feb. 15—Senate Minority Leader Greg Baca of Belen stated Monday he had apologized to Veterans Services Secretary-designate Sonya Smith for what he referred to as “that insensitive line of questioning.”
Baca has been underneath fireplace for questions and feedback with racial overtones he made throughout a Friday affirmation listening to for Smith.
“Do you anticipate that in your time right here, in seven years, that you have been immersed on this tradition sufficient on this state that you just really feel snug getting into a place?” Baca had requested Smith, who’s Black. He famous 2.6 % of the state’s inhabitants is African American, whereas “48 % is Hispanic or a Hispanic combine. Do you are feeling like you’re snug adequately representing each cultures — white, Native, Hispanics?”
Smith responded by asking the top-ranking Republican within the Senate to make clear his query.
“Are you asking do I really feel snug representing the Department of Veterans Services as a Black lady? Is that what you’re asking?” Smith requested Baca.
Smith, via a spokesman, declined a request for an interview on the problem over the weekend.
“At this time, Secretary-designate Smith is respectfully declining to do any interviews till after her official affirmation, which we perceive will happen this week,” Department of Veterans Services spokesman Ray Seva wrote in an e mail.
Last week, Baca issued an announcement about his line of questioning, which some stated was laced with an undercurrent of racism.
Baca did not apologize. Instead, he wrote that as a minority veteran himself, he considered the function of head of Veterans Services “as one which should take into account each side of our numerous tradition in New Mexico.”
At the beginning of Monday’s Senate Rules Committee assembly, Baca, a U.S. Navy veteran, knowledgeable senators he had apologized to Smith, who served as a U.S. Air Force reservist.
“I needed to let the physique know that I spoke to her and did apologize to her for that insensitive line of questioning that I did lead her via,” he stated. “We had an important dialog and talked about New Mexico and our households and actually only a nice girl that I plan on supporting on the [Senate] flooring,” the place she’s going to face a affirmation listening to earlier than the total Senate.
Baca stated he additionally needed to prolong an apology to the Senate and acknowledged the incident has stirred controversy.
“I actually perceive that a few you in all probability had some undesirable consideration as a byproduct of my actions and I certain didn’t need to lay that in your shoulders,” he stated. “And I are not looking for it to detract from the great work that now we have carried out thus far and the work that I anticipate that we’ll do going ahead. So, I admire your indulgence this morning. I look ahead to a productive week and getting some issues carried out for the individuals of New Mexico.”
Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, chairman of the committee, thanked Baca “for these phrases.”
“Very a lot appreciated,” the Albuquerque Democrat stated.
Follow Daniel J. Chacón on Twitter @danieljchacon.
Follow Daniel J. Chacón on Twitter @danieljchacon.
