Clovis attorney 'dedicated' to public service

David L. Norvell, a former New Mexico attorney general who in 1969 became the youngest-ever speaker of the state House of Representatives, died Thursday at age 88.

Norvell died after a lengthy illness at his home in Albuquerque “embraced by his family and loved ones,” according to a statement issued by the New Mexico House Democrats.

The Clovis attorney was first elected to the New Mexico House of Representatives in 1962 and served four terms before stepping down in 1970. He was elected House speaker in 1969 at age 34.

A Curry County Democrat, Norvell then served as New Mexico attorney general from 1971 to 1974.

He and New Mexico’s current House Majority Leader, Gail Chasey, had been married for 20 years.

Former state Rep. Raymond Sanchez said Friday in a phone interview that he looked to Norvell as a role model during his own 28-year career in the state House.

“He was was one of my heroes,” said Sanchez, who served as a lawmaker from 1972 to 2000. “You couldn’t find a greater gentleman, someone as courteous, kind and receptive to what you were talking about.”

Norvell was a political liberal, Sanchez said, and was frequently mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate in the early 1970s though he didn’t run for the office.

Norvell called the Vietnam War “a disaster” and “a monstrous error” in a 1969 speech at the University of New Mexico, according to news reports.

As attorney general, Norvell tried his own cases and served the government well, Sanchez said.

“He was just a good attorney,” Sanchez said. “He didn’t use the office as a springboard to take on all these cases all over the place just to make news.”

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham offered condolences Friday to Chasey and other members of Norvell’s family.

“David was a public servant dedicated through-and-through to the people of New Mexico,” Lujan Grisham said in a written statement. “He was also a valuable advisor and good friend to me throughout my own years in public service.”

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez said he was saddened to hear of Norvell’s death.

“Norvell was an accomplished individual who dedicated his life to public service,” Torrez said in a written statement. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones at this time.”

Norvell was born in Missouri and grew up in Bartlesville, Okla. He earned his law degree at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, then moved to Clovis in 1958 where he entered a private law practice.

In 1972, as state attorney general, he ran in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, losing to former state Rep. Jack Daniels, who in turn lost the general election to Republican Pete Domenici.

After leaving office, Norvell went into private practice in Albuquerque.

In 1976, he was indicted but acquitted over what was characterized at the time as an alleged extortion attempt in a water well dispute. Norvell’s attorney, F. Lee Bailey, alleged the federal government was “out to get” Norvell.

Bailey told the court there was no investigation of Norvell until “a bitter personal dispute” developed between Norvell and U.S. Attorney Victor Ortega when they opposed each other in several matters, The Associated Press reported.

In 1968, Norvell made headlines when he criticized Republican Gov. David Cargo for calling a special session to address state welfare issues.

Norvell gave his check for living expenses to New Mexico’s Welfare Office.

“I don’t feel the people should have to pay for this session because of irresponsible action of the governor in failing to call the welfare problem to our attention in January,” he told the Clovis News-Journal’s Scott Fischer.

The Eastern New Mexico News contributed to this report.