Weekly NM Roundup: Slate of Federal Primary Candidates Selected

More than 800 Republicans from around New Mexico arrived in Albuquerque this past weekend to attend the State Pre-Primary Convention. Delegates had been elected from their counties to attend the Convention, and they selected federal and statewide candidates for New Mexico's June 2 Primary Election. The votes capped an exciting State Pre-Primary Convention steered by Convention Chair and former Party Chair John Billingsley and current Party Chair Steve Pearce. The Convention included speeches by all 16 candidates seeking the open U.S. Senate and three Congressional District seats.

Voters decided that two candidates from each federal race will be on the Republican Primary slate.

In the U.S. Senate race, Elisa Martinez received the most votes and will be in the top ballot position. Mark Ronchetti will also be on the ballot.

In the 1st Congressional District race, Michelle Garcia Holmes got the most votes and will top the ballot position. She'll be on the ballot with Jared Vander Dussen.

In the 2nd Congressional District race, Yvette Herrell came in first followed by Claire Chase.

In the 3rd Congressional District race, Harry Montoya will take the top ballot spot. Karen Bedonie will also be on the ballot.

To get on the Primary Ballot, candidates must receive 20% of the vote. If they receive less, they may elect to get signatures to try to qualify to get on the Primary ballot.

"This has been a magnificent Convention," said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. "Enthusiasm is sky-high in our Party. We are on a mission to turn New Mexico red this fall, and there's lots of excitement, strength and unity in our Party right now. It's thrilling. Our selected candidates for federal offices are highly qualified, diverse and adhere to conservative principles. There's a real energy among Republicans right now all over New Mexico."

Here's a look at the final voting results:

U.S. Senate

Elisa Martinez   35%
Mark Ronchetti 29%
Louie Sanchez 16%
Mick Rich 10%
Gavin Clarkson 10%

CD 1

Michelle Garcia Holmes 63%
Jared Vander Dussen 30%
Brett Kokinadis 7%

CD 2

Yvette Herrell 66%
Claire Chase 33%
Chris Mathys 1%

CD 3

Harry Montoya 39%
Karen Bedonie 31%
Anise Golden-Morper 17%
Alexis Johnson 11%
Audra Brown 2%

REPUBLICAN JUDICIAL CANDIDATES TO MAKE PRIMARY BALLOT

The Party's two Supreme Court Candidates and two Court of Appeals candidates will be on the ballot in June. The four are now in the process of getting certified for matching public election funds. Albuquerque attorney and former prosecutor Kerry Morris is running for Supreme Court, Position 2 and Ned Fuller, a Deputy District Attorney in the San Juan County District Attorney's Office, is running for the Supreme Court, Position 1.

On the ballot for the Court of Appeals are Barbara V. Johnson, an attorney with more than 30 years of experience in New Mexico and Gertrude Lee, a member of the Navajo Nation who practices law in the Nation and in the state of New Mexico.

TODAY IS THE FILING DEADLINE FOR STATE HOUSE AND SENATE CANDIDATES

The Republican Party has a strong slate of candidates who will help turn our legislature red this November. The Party has at least 99 candidates who will run for Senate or the House. Today is the deadline to file.

PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VOW TO WIN NEW MEXICO SCARING GOVERNOR

Looks like Gov. Lujan Grisham is worried--a lot! As we know, President Trump has vowed to win New Mexico and his strong campaign is investing staff, resources and big bucks to do just that. Now Lujan Grisham is publicly announcing that Democrats must "work smarter and harder" to stop that. It must be frightening to her to know that the tide in New Mexico is about to turn red. Check out the story and see her fear.

LISTEN TO CHAIRMAN PEARCE'S WEEKLY PODCAST!

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