Bruce King | N.M. ex-governor, 85
Former New Mexico Gov. Bruce King, 85, a folksy cattle rancher who served more time as governor than anyone else and became an institution in state politics, died Friday at his ranch in Stanley, N.M.
Attorney General Gary King announced his father's death.
Mr. King was a Democrat who served three terms that spanned three decades. He was in office in 1971-74, 1979-82 and 1991-94.
Mr. King was known for the sharp political mind behind his country-boy manner. He was famous for entering restaurants and greeting people table-by-table with a vigorous handshake and a down-home, "How y'all doing? Fine. Fine."
He also was known for his malapropisms, once telling a lawmaker that the lawmaker's proposal could "open up a whole box of Pandoras."
Mr. King retained programs he liked from governors who preceded him, occasionally keeping key personnel, whether from a Democratic or Republican regime.
- AP
