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Richard Berry speaks with NMI and other press on election night.
Albuquerque’s Mayor-elect Richard Berry resigned his legislative seat in the House of Representatives today, he announced in a press release, because the mayoral transition process requires his full attention.
While he did not specifically say this, we believe this means the special session of the legislature will convene this Saturday without Berry.
Berry also announced earlier today that Sherman McCorkle will head up his transition team. McCorkle is President and Chief Executive Officer of Technology Ventures Corporation, and a leader in New Mexico economic development initiatives.
“It has been my great honor and privilege to represent my district in the legislature during these past two terms. With the transition of my administration just getting underway, it is imperative that I give it my full attention,” Berry said in a statement.
“The citizens of my district deserve a full-time legislator representing their needs in Santa Fe and the people of Albuquerque deserve a mayor-elect who is working full time to facilitate a smooth transition at City Hall.”
The Bernalillo County Commission will select Berry’s replacement.
McCorkle said in a statement earlier today that he is “humbled” by Berry’s request that he lead the transition team, especially in light of the economic challenges faced by the city due to the national recession.
“I am humbled to be asked by Mayor-elect Berry to lead the transition team,” he said in the statement. “I am aware our community faces economic challenges as the national economy has been in recession. Mayor-elect Berry’s leadership on important issues like creating jobs, improving our quality of life, fighting crime, and as an advocate for widespread economic development is the focus we need in order to move our community forward.”
UPDATE: Berry’s spokesperson, Dana feldman, confirmed that Berry would not participate in the special session of the legislature, which convenes this Saturday to grapple with a state budget deficit that some project is approaching $700 million.
