Oct 2, 2003, 09:16
SANTA FE (AP) Gov. Bill Richardson ordered flags flown at half-staff across New Mexico for Gilbert Baca, longtime sergeant-at-arms for the state House of Representatives.
Baca, 66, of Santa Fe, died at home Thursday after a lengthy illness, according to his wife, Marie. He had held the House position — elected by lawmakers — since 1989.
“He was a great friend and an outstanding public servant and a wonderful family man,” said House Speaker Ben Lujan, D-Santa Fe. Richardson said he was “personally very saddened” by the death of Baca, whom he described as a close friend. “There is nobody more responsible for my early success in politics in New Mexico than the Baca family, and Gilbert was the ringleader in that effort,” Richardson recalled. When he first moved to Santa Fe, Richardson lived next door to Baca’s mother, Delphine, a prominent Democrat who served as his campaign treasurer.