Senate confirms Heather Jordan to Workers' Compensation and Mariana Padilla as Public Education secretary

The New Mexico Senate confirmed two gubernatorial appointees on Wednesday.

Heather Jordan was confirmed as director of the Workers' Compensation Administration. Senator Stefanik moved confirmation and outlined Jordan’s Department tenure and administrative work; debate was minimal. The chair announced the vote: “By a vote of 33 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative, the appointment of Heather Jordan as director of workers compensation administration … has been duly confirmed by the New Mexico Senate,” recorded on the floor.

The Senate also confirmed Mariana Padilla as secretary of the Public Education Department. Senator Stewart presented Padilla’s letters of support and background as a former classroom teacher and administrator. Multiple senators spoke in support, citing Padilla’s experience in early childhood and education policy. The floor record shows: “By a vote of 40 in the affirmative, 0 in the negative, the appointment of Mariana Padilla, secretary of the public education department … has duly been confirmed by the New Mexico state senate.”

Senators who spoke during the Padilla confirmation praised her work on career and technical education, absenteeism reduction and early‑childhood initiatives; Padilla’s family attended the session when her confirmation was recognized.

Both confirmations were routine on the floor and governed by the Senate’s confirmation procedures and recorded roll‑call results.