New Mexico state Rep. Eliseo “Lee” Alcon (D-Milan) has resigned due to health concerns, the lawmaker said Monday.
Alcon’s resignation is “effective immediately to focus on his health,” according to a news release published from New Mexico House Democrats.
In a brief telephone interview Monday, Alcon said he was placed on hospice care last week because his treatment for liver cancer isn’t working.
“Who knows, maybe I can beat the son of a gun,” he said.
Alcon has been in the House for 15 years and won reelection this month, taking 59% of the vote and beating Republican challenger Paul Spencer. Alcon in June won a three-way primary race for the Democratic nomination for the seat.
“I’ve served the public for a lot of years but I think it’s time for me to go,” he said.
Alcon, who received a Bronze Star for his service as an Army combat medic during the Vietnam War, was the chair of the House Labor, Veterans and Military Affairs committee.
Also a retired magistrate judge, Alcon was the second-most senior member of the House Judiciary Committee.
Alcon also previously headed the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, according to the news release.
Alcon was elected to the House in 2009, according to the Legislature’s website.
House District 6 takes up parts of Cibola and McKinley counties in northwestern New Mexico extending to the Arizona border, including parts of Grants and Thoreau.
The Cibola and McKinley County Commissions will each make a nomination to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to replace Alcon, according to state law. She will then appoint one of those nominees to carry out the remainder of his term.
Alcon said he would like the person who replaces him to “above anything else, be someone who thinks of the people from my community.”
House Democrats said Alcon advocated for policies to support New Mexico’s veterans and their families, strengthen the state’s economy and protect the environment.
House Speaker Javier Martinez said Alcon “helped deliver huge wins for veterans, active service members, and all the people of New Mexico.”