Leavell resigns from N.M. Senate

State Sen. Carroll Leavell, a Republican state lawmaker from Jal who has served in the Roundhouse since 1997, announced his resignation Tuesday.

Leavell, 82, a retired insurance agent and graduate of Jal High School, told the News-Sun he decided to step aside after 22 years due to health reasons.

“I fought cancer two and a half years ago,” he said. “So far, we’ve been able to control the cancer, but the aftermath of it has been very difficult. I’ve been very lucky and my health has been good up until the cancer, and you’re never lucky with cancer. I’m doing fine right now.”

Leavell, R-Jal, represented portions of Lea and Eddy counties. His resignation was effective Tuesday.

“I feel very good about it. I enjoyed it,” he said. “It was quite an experience, and an experience I wouldn’t take anything for. It’s a continuing, changing experience, but it was also an opportunity to help southeast New Mexico. Southeast New Mexico has got a tremendous future in front of it, if it will take it.”

The Lea County Commission on Tuesday announced a special meeting at 9 a.m. Friday in Lovington to discuss the vacancy caused by Leavell’s resignation. The Lea County Commission will consider a resolution approving the process to nominate a person to the governor to fill the vacancy for senate District 41. The Eddy County Commission will consider a similar process. In a multi-county district such as Leavell’s, county commissioners in the counties covered by the district have the opportunity to give recommendations to the governor to fill a vacant Senate seat.

Currently, there are 26 Democrats and 16 Republicans in the Senate.

Leavell served on the influential Legislative Finance Committee, a committee of top state lawmakers that meets periodically to review the state’s finances. He was also a member of the Senate’s Finance Committee, and the interim Investments & Pensions Oversight Committee and the interim Radioactive & Hazardous Materials Committee.

State Sen. Gay Kernan, R-Hobbs, who worked with Leavell on many issues for southeastern New Mexico and alongside him on the Senate Finance and Legislative Finance Committees, said Leavell’s legacy will be evident in the state for generations to come.

“I witnessed firsthand how Carroll worked eagerly at every opportunity to encourage the oil and gas industry to thrive in our state so schoolchildren now and into the next century and beyond will benefit from what that industry is able to provide the state,” said Ker-nan. “Carroll cares deeply for New Mexico. It has been a true pleasure working with him. Carroll is such a gentleman. He is so kind and gracious to everyone. He is the epitome of a selfless public servant who works for the good of others. We are all better off because of Carroll Leavell.”

While Leavell served on the Senate Finance and Legislative Finance Committees, he often reminded committee members of the enormous benefits New Mexico receives from the oil and gas industry as it funds a large portion of state government, including education.

“It concerns me when I see us pass opportunities out here,” he said. “We had quite a time with (URENCO USA). Many people in this area just seemed totally frightened of URENCO. URENCO has been nothing except the finest citizen. I’m pleased to see that. You have to watch and take them where you can get them, and we’re just having them laid in our lap down here.”

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, R-Portales, said southeastern New Mexico has benefited from a skilled and ardent supporter in Leavell.

“Everyone at the state Capitol knows Carroll’s gracious manner, constant smile and fervent desire to improve New Mexico,” Ingle said in a news release. “Don’t let that grin fool you, Carroll means business. He always had a clear mission that he strove every day to accomplish. We in the Senate Republican Office acknowledge and appreciate that Senator Leavell has made sacrifices to serve in the state Senate. Coming from Jal, I believe he had one of the longest distances to travel to serve in the state Capitol than anyone else in the Legislature. We thank him for his service and appreciate all he has done for the state. There is none better than Carroll Leavell.”

Leavell was born in Clovis, and moved to Jal while he was in the second grade. After graduating from Jal High School in 1954, he received a bachelor of arts degree in business and economics from Eastern New Mexico University in 1958.

“I married my sweetheart (Bobbie). It’s been a good story,” he told the News-Sun.

Senate Minority Caucus chair Steve Neville, R-Farmington, who also worked with Leavell on the finance committees, said Leavell was always well-versed on budget issues and had a keen sense about what needed to be done to protect taxpayers and his constituents in Southeastern New Mexico from government overreach.

“While our two districts are at opposite ends of the states, I always knew my constituents in northwestern New Mexico would find value in the work Senator Leavell did for Southeastern New Mexico,” Neville said in a news release. “Carroll always paid close attention to what was best for the entire state. He always had a clear vision on what was best for the state’s future.”

In recent years, Leavell sponsored bills to help attract and hire the most qualified Superintendent of Insurance and bills to allow businesses a longer period of time to carryover and deduct their net operating loss from the new income they report each year for income tax purposes.

Throughout his tenure in Santa Fe, Leavell supported capital outlay investments to improve roads and critical infrastructure. He would often say the state needed to get New Mexico roads and highways in the best possible shape so motorists are safe, and that improving roads throughout the state would help benefit the state’s efforts to improve economic development and to create jobs in the private sector.

“Being the state senator from Jal and representing Southeastern New Mexico have been a source of pride for me,” Leavell said in a news release. “Jal is possibly the furthest city in the state from Santa Fe and I always had fun reminding folks of that. Thank you Southeastern New Mexico for giving me the honor and the distinct pleasure to serve you at the state Capitol. My constituents in Lea and Eddy counties continued to have faith in me and returned me to office over the years. In return, I diligently performed my duties as state senator to the best of my abilities.”

Leavell ran uncontested for re-election in 2016. His four-year term expires in 2020.

“Now, it is time for me to retire and to allow another person to have the privilege of serving Senate District 41,” he said. “I want to thank my colleagues in the Senate and in the House, the legislative staff, and my constituents, all who I can frankly call my friends. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to have such a great purpose in my life. The memories of what has been accomplished for the state over the past two decades, and serving with three different governors, make me feel fulfilled and content. As a citizen legislator, I know that my sacrifice and dedication have been worthwhile. Thank you New Mexico.”

Leavell was the president and general manager of Leavell Insurance and Real Estate, Inc. and Leavell Insurance, Inc. from 1964-2002. He served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of New Mexico from 1993-1994, and is a past president of National Conferences of Insurance Legislators.

Leavell is a member and trustee of the First Methodist Church and the Jal Public Library. He is a past member of the board of directors of the New Mexico Junior College Foundation, trustee of College of Southwest and board member of the Jal Hospital District.