King a folksy, colorful political power

Bruce King, the boot-shod Democrat described as a genuine cowboy, was remembered Friday as a politician who was both friendly and skilled at wielding political power.

King, New Mexico's longest serving governor, died Friday at his home in Stanley. He was 85 years old and had been suffering from heart problems.

King dominated New Mexico politics for much of the last 50 years. A Democrat, he was elected governor three times, serving 12 years. He was folksy, friendly and a genuine cowboy.

In 1924, Bruce King's parents came from Texas in Model-T Ford, and then traded the car for 160 acres near Stanley, just east of Albuquerque.

Their three sons eventually transformed that into a vast farming and ranching empire, but the King brothers, especially Bruce, had another passion: politics.

For Bruce, it started with the Santa Fe County Commission in the 1950's, then the Legislature. After just two terms in the House, he was elected Speaker.

Tom Rutherford, who later served as a State Senator, was a 14-year-old page for Speaker King.

"I remember not knowing how to regard him, he was so friendly and so open," Rutherford said.

As a lawmaker, he was known as a reformer. In 1970, he was elected governor, succeeding Dave Cargo.

"He was a steady, dependable, lovable governor, and to be lovable as governor is not easy," Cargo said.

Governors could not succeed themselves in those days, and Jerry Apodaca followed King in the top spot.

"He was very effective," Apodaca said. "He got a lot done."

King was elected governor again in 1978 and in 1990. Over his 12 years in office he grappled with countless issues and problems, everything from tax cuts to the infamous 1980 prison riot.

One accomplishment that he and his late wife Alice were most proud of was creation of the state Children, Youth and Family's Department in his final term.

King's run as governor didn't end the way he wanted. When he ran for a fourth term he was upset by a young Republican named Gary Johnson.

"Bruce King was, is New Mexico's original natural resource," Johnson told News 13 Friday. "He, along with Alice, I think lived and breathed making New Mexico a better place to live."

Programs, policies, issues were all important to King, but he always said his most important goal was simple yet difficult: to make life better for all New Mexicans.

King will lie in state on Friday, Nov. 20, at the State Capitol. Funeral services are set for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Moriarty High School.

Gov. Bill Richardson has ordered flags flown at half-staff through Monday, Nov. 23.