State Senate Democrats have nominated Sen. Pete Campos of Las Vegas, N.M., for the top position in the body.
The Santa Fe New Mexican reports (http://bit.ly/UwPY56 ) that the action came Sunday at a closed-door caucus meeting in Belen.
Campos defeated three others in the contest to replace Senate President Pro Tem Tim Jennings, who recently lost his re-election bid.
Campos says he's honored by the nomination and plans to reach out "to every member of the Senate."
The Senate president pro tem office officially is decided by a vote of the 42 member Senate on the opening day of the session. Democrats will hold a 25-17 majority in the Senate next year, based on election results certified Friday by the canvassing board.