R.I.P. George Buffett

Former state Rep. George Buffett, R-Albuquerque, died this weekend. He was in the House when I first started covering the Legislataure all those years ago.

Blogger Joe Monahan said of Buffett,

"His crusty and no-nonsense personality was on full display during his tenure as an ABQ GOP state representative from 1979 to 2002 and in his well-known and anticipated newsletter `Buffett's Bullets.' It was that publication filled with his conservative wit and wisdom and frequent ribbing of the Democratic majority that made him a statewide political presence.

"Buffett was a cousin of famous Omaha investor Warren Buffett. He invested with him early and was richly rewarded, but George was also one of New Mexico's most successful businessmen in his own right. Buffett's Candies on Lomas Blvd. with its iconic candy cane is a local institution, in business since 1956. ...

"Buffett was a conservative, but not a bully and not in the game to feather his own nest but to spread his message of hard work and fiscal discipline. He did so as a curmudgeon and with a perseverance that won him admirers on both sides of the aisle. His chapter in the never-ending book of La Politica was well-earned.

State Republican Chairman Monty Newman had this to say about him:

“We at the Republican Party of New Mexico extend our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of former Representative Buffett. Our prayers go out to his family, as we remember his extraordinary legacy of service and transparency. “We are thankful for his service to his community and to our great state, and we know that he will long be remembered—both for his years of service in the Legislature and for his efforts to expose corruption in his newsletter, Buffett’s Bullets.”

U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce said this:

“My thoughts and prayers go out to George’s family. He was a true public servant and New Mexico is a better place because of his service to our great state. He was a mentor to me when I was first elected to the State House and I will always be thankful for that guidance. George was a consistent voice in speaking out against government corruption. He will be sorely missed.”