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.References
External links