SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A cadre of New Mexico state Republican Party leaders on Saturday chose state Sen. Mark Moores to run for the Albuquerque-based congressional seat held by Deb Haaland before she was confirmed as secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Moores was chosen with 40% of the 121 votes cast during a videoconference meeting by members of the Republican Party central committee who live in the 1st Congressional District. The seven-candidate field also included conservative radio talk show host Eddy Aragon, who placed second with 28% of the vote. Democrats have held the seat since 2009. But Republicans see an opening in a potentially low-turnout special election set for June 1.
The vote totals were as follows:
Mark Moores: 49
Eddy Aragon: 34
Elisa Martinez: 20
Jared Vander Dussen: 7
Ronnie Lucero: 6
Michaela Chavez: 5
Jonathan Gonzalez: 0
RPNM Chairman Steve Pearce issued the following statement:
"Congratulations to Sen. Mark Moores on his victory today! New Mexico Republicans are ready to work hard to win this race and restore New Mexico values to this congressional seat. A special thanks to each candidate for running, and to the dedicated members of the SCC for their participation today. New Mexico Republicans are united behind our nominee and we look forward to making the strong case for electing Mark Moores to the voters of the First Congressional District," said Pearce.