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As state Senate Democrats prepare for the legislative session that starts Jan. 15, they now have a somber task on their list: pick a new president to replace Senate President Ben Altamirano.

Altamirano died Thursday at his home in Silver City. He was 77.

Gov. Bill Richardson in the coming days must name a new senator from Altamirano's southern New Mexico district.

Altamirano's successor to the powerful leadership seat, however, will be someone who has been at the Roundhouse for years.

Several Democrats in the past have expressed interest in the post, to which Altamirano was most recently re-elected in December of 2006. Democrats will caucus before the session starts to choose a new leader. Once the Legislature begins, senators from both parties then agree on a president.

But for now, those who knew Altamirano are focused on remembering him, not on the upcoming race for the top spot.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of a great New Mexican and my dear friend, Benny Altamirano. . . . Benny will be dearly missed," Richardson said.

Altamirano was a close ally of Richardson. In announcing Altamirano's death late Thursday, Richardson called him a true statesman whose love for New Mexico helped him earn the respect of everyone who crossed his path.

In the 2006 session, Altamirano carried Richardson's minimum wage increase plan, a top priority for the governor that year.

Details about Altamirano's death were not immediately available. In recent years, he had suffered a heart attack, for which he under went surgery.

Lt. Gov. Diane Denish said this morning she was saddened by the news.

"Of all the people that I thought made the Senate kind of balanced, warm and welcoming, it was Ben. He was such an even-handed, upbeat, optimistic person," she said.

"Someone will be appointed, but no one will replace him," Denish added.

A native of Silver City, Altamirano had represented State District 28 - which encompasses most of Catron, Grant and Socorro counties - since 1971. He had served over the years as a member of numerous legislative committees, including those that dealt with public school appropriations, capital outlay funding and conservation.

He held the top Senate job for three years. Before that, he was chairman of the Finance Committee for 17 years.

Altamirano was a quiet figure in the Roundhouse, even for his powerful post. He was quick with a hug for nearly everyone he met up with in the hallways.

Sen. James Taylor, an Albuquerque Democrat, remembered spending a Halloween in Silver City with his brother, who was attending college at Western New Mexico University.

"It was special to go trick or treating at that house on Grant Street because (Altamirano) would give a full size Hershey's bar," Taylor said.

Taylor, about 35 years younger than Altamirano, said the older senator always seemed his contemporary.

"He was kind of hip, even though he was the elder statesman. He really had a grip on what was going on," Taylor said.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez, a Belen Democrat, said this morning that many in the Senate were in shock.

Altamirano was last seen at the Capitol on Dec. 17, for a hearing on health care and a caucus afterward.

"My favorite memory of his was how he was always smiling, how nice he was to everybody," Sanchez said. "I don't ever remember seeing him without a smile. He liked everybody and treated everybody as if they were family."

The senator was remembered late Thursday as an even-keeled businessman who worked hard to represent his constituents and do what was right for New Mexicans.

Senate Minority Leader Stuart Ingle, a Portales Republican, said he served as co-chair of the Finance Committee with Altamirano during one legislative session and described him as an easy man to work with.

"He always tried to see both sides of the issue and he tried to listen to everybody," said Ingle, who last spoke to Altamirano during a Legislative Council meeting more than a week ago.

As legislators prepare to return to Santa Fe for the 30-day session, Ingle said the Senate will have to get used to not having Altamirano there.

"He served darn near 40 years. When you have someone that's been there that long, it's going to be a different place," Ingle said.

During the last legislative session, Altamirano sponsored the Senate's version of the minimum wage bill and he supported a ban on cockfighting. Both controversial measures ended up being passed.

Altamirano was well-known throughout his southwestern New Mexico district. In fact, Western New Mexico University named its football field in his honor and the organizers of the state's largest annual bicycling event - the Tour of the Gila - also honored him this year by naming the race after him.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.