© 2024 KRWG
News that Matters.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Republicans Pick Up Seats In New Mexico Senate

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez and her Republican allies made gains in the state Senate, including ousting a top Democratic leader.

Unofficial returns show Democrats winning or leading enough House races to likely hang on to the party's majority but the outcome remained uncertain because several races were very close.

Martinez achieved a big victory when Senate President Tim Jennings of Roswell lost his re-election bid.

Roswell farmer Cliff Pirtle received 52 percent of the vote to 48 percent for Jennings. Jennings was the second-longest serving state senator.

In the Senate, Republicans gained at least three Democratic seats by defeating Jennings, Lisa Curtis of Albuquerque and Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, who was the No. 3 Democratic leader as majority whip. Democrats, however, were poised to remain in control of the Senate.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.