Is a Democratic lawmaker from Las Cruces about to launch a challenge to New Mexico House Speaker Ben Luján, D-Nambé — possibly with the help of revitalized Republicans?

Rumors of a leadership fight are swirling around the rumor-prone halls of the Roundhouse, thanks largely to the eight-seat Republican gain in the state House of Representatives after last week's election. Assuming unofficial results hold, there will be 37 Democrats and 33 Republicans in the House.

Luján, who first was elected speaker in 2001, said Monday that he's not aware of any pending challenge. But, he said, "We'll be meeting in caucus on (Nov. 20). I'm sure we'll have a good discussion then."

Santa Fe probably already is destined to lose some clout in state government next year when Republican Susana Martinez of Las Cruces is sworn into office. Replacement of Luján as speaker with a Southern New Mexico legislator would almost certainly mean less influence for Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico in the Legislature, which convenes for a 60-day session Jan. 18.

It also would mean Martinez could have an easier time getting her agenda through the House if a new speaker owed his job to Republican support.

The speakership is considered the most powerful job in the Legislature. The speaker makes all committee assignments, including chairmanships, and has great influence over what bills make it to the floor for a vote.

Luján's position has been considered weakened since last June's primary election, when an unknown, underfunded political newcomer named Carl Trujillo lost to the political veteran by fewer than 90 votes.

However, nobody's willing to write Luján off just yet.

"Ben Luján has more lives than a cat," said one Democratic representative who asked not to be identified. "He's an incredibly skilled politician."

Some state House members and pundits speculate that Rep. Joe Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, seems to be moving toward some kind of challenge.

Cervantes, a lawyer who was re-elected for a sixth term, didn't return phone calls Monday.

Luján said he met with Cervantes on Friday. He said they discussed the recent elections and Democratic House members who lost re-election bids. Asked whether they'd discussed a possible challenge by Cervantes, the speaker said, "He didn't tell me he was thinking of it."

But some Democrats interviewed Monday expect Cervantes to challenge Luján.

One possible way for Cervantes or any other House member to lead though a coalition would be to get the support of a united GOP caucus and as few as three Democrats.

But "coalition" has become something of a dirty word — especially for Democrats — since the era of the "Cowboy Coalition." In 1979, conservative Democrats teamed up with Republicans to elect Democrat Rep. Gene Samberson of Lovington as speaker. Samberson held on to that position — except for a two-year period — until the end of 1986.

Rep. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, said Monday that he would not vote for any coalition candidate over Luján.

House Republican Leader Tom Taylor of Farmington said Monday that his caucus has not discussed any possible coalition deals with Cervantes or any other Democrat. Asked whether a Republican — such as himself — might take a stab at the speakership by trying to peel off three Democrats, Taylor said such a scenario was highly improbable.

But a coalition isn't the only way to change speakers. Democrats at their next caucus meeting could decide to nominate someone else for the job.

In 2006, House Majority Leader Ken Martinez, D-Grants, tried but failed to win enough support from fellow Democrats to wrest the speakership away from Luján.

One Democratic lawmaker said Monday that Martinez recently e-mailed Democratic House members saying he planned to run again for majority leader and support Luján for the speaker's job.

During the 2006 attempted coup, some Democrats reported that Cervantes had helped Martinez and had planned to run for majority leader if Martinez took the speakership. After Luján survived that struggle, Luján took the chairmanship of the House Judiciary Committee away from Cervantes.

Contact Steve Terrell at 986-3037 or sterrell@sfnewmexican.com. Read his political blog at roundhouseroundup.com.