Two GOP State Senators Stepping Down

Sen. Asbill

Two Republicans in the state Senate, Clint Harden of Clovis and Vern Asbill of Carlsbad, are not seeking re-election this year.

Senate Republican spokeswoman Diane Kinderwater just emailed the news about Asbill.

“Our precious grandchildren are growing very fast, way too fast, and we want to spend more of our time with them in Artesia.” Asbill said in the news release.

Sen. Harden

The email contained quotes from fellow senators from both sides of the aisle praising Asbill, a career educator, for his sponsorship of bills last year establishing the A-F grading of schools and expanding Katie's Law to require DNA samples from all felony arrests.

Meanwhile, the Clovis News Journal reported Saturday that Harden won't run this year. Harden, a former state Labor secretary, perhaps best was known for being a champion of children with autism.

Last week another candidate, political newcomer Angie Spears, announced she was running for Harden's seat.