What you didn't know about newest NM senator

State Sen. Pat Woods, who took office last week, says he has packed a lifetime of lessons into the last eight months. "I guess I got a Ph.D. in politics," said Woods, R-Broadview. Woods enters the Legislature as a bigger-than-life character, thanks in part to a fellow Republican, Gov. Susana Martinez. She used her influence in the Senate primary to try to defeat Woods, sending money and her political might to help his opponent, Angie Spears. More important, the Martinez forces went negative against Woods, a tactic that backfired. A friend to most in the Clovis area, Woods seemed to pick up votes as the attacks against him escalated. Unopposed in next week's general election, he took office early. Former foe Martinez appointed him as the senator for Senate District 7 after incumbent Clint Harden resigned in October. As a senator, Woods said he would approach the job cautiously, listening and learning before introducing legislation. But he said a concept he heard about in Utah fascinated him. The idea is for states to reclaim certain federal land within their borders. BLM and Forest Service property would revert to state or private control. Woods said such a system might invigorate New Mexico's rural economy through more farming, ranching and logging. He also said he recognized that such a dramatic change would require approval from Congress. But the possibilities of using the land to improve the economy excite him. "Local control is the best government," Woods said...more