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]

Kay Papen
President pro tempore of the New Mexico Senate
In office
January 15, 2013 – January 19, 2021
Preceded byTimothy Jennings
Succeeded byMimi Stewart
Member of the New Mexico Senate
from the 38th district
In office
January 2001 – January 19, 2021
Preceded byFernando Macias
Succeeded byCarrie Hamblen
Personal details
Born (1932-03-19) March 19, 1932 (age 92)
El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationNew Mexico State University (BA)
WebsiteState Senate website

Career edit

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 edit

  1. ^ "Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-NM)". CQRCengage.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  2. ^ "Sen. Mary Kay Papen (D-NM 38th District)". Capwiz.com. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Senator Mary Kay Papen - (D)". New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  5. ^ "Mary Papen - Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved September 25, 2015.
  6. ^ 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 edit

New Mexico Senate
Preceded by President pro tempore of the New Mexico Senate
2013–2021
Succeeded by