Lujan Grisham sworn in as New Mexico’s 32nd governor

Political supporters are attending the inauguration of incoming Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham with expectations for change in the state’s approach to public education, gun safety, cannabis regulation and more.

Spectators from across the state filed into Santa Fe’s downtown convention center on Tuesday to the sound of mariachis and northern New Mexico folk music to hear Lujan Grisham’s first public address as governor. Lujan Grisham succeeds termed-out Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.

Deann Garcia of Santa Fe arrived early with her husband and two children to catch a glimpse of a governor she hopes will help legalize recreational cannabis to ensure full access for medical patients. The 30-year-old childcare worker also wants to see increases in teacher pay to improve public education.

A campaign volunteer for the new governor named Lorna Samraj wants to see action on issues of climate change and gun control.

The schedule for the inaugural includes comments from two “dreamers” who immigrated to the U.S. as children. U.S. Sen. Tom Udall’s wife Jill Cooper Udall plans to introduce Lujan Grisham.

Lujan Grisham was sworn into office as the 32nd governor of New Mexico in the Capitol rotunda shortly after midnight on Tuesday in a private ceremony attended by about 200 family members and friends.

The oath was administered by retired state district court Judge Sandra Grisham, who is the governor’s sister-in-law. Lujan Grisham concludes her third term in Congress as she takes over New Mexico’s top executive post from termed out Gov. Susana Martinez.