What Happened at the State Pre-Primary Conventions?

By Family policy alliance

This past weekend, the Republican and Democratic Parties of New Mexico held their Pre-Primary Conventions to select candidates for the upcoming June Primary Election. On Saturday, hundreds of delegates from across New Mexico gathered to cast ballots for the individuals who will appear on the June ballot. In order to automatically secure a ballot position, a candidate had to garner at least 20% of the total delegate vote. Candidates who failed to reach the 20% threshold must now gather and submit additional signatures in order to be paced on the ballot.

This is what you need to know:

At the Republican Pre-Primary Convention

In the Republican race for the U.S. Senate—Elisa Martinez, Executive Director of our allied pro-life organization, New Mexico Alliance for Life, secured the top ballot position after garnering 35% of the delegate vote. Also securing a position on the ballot was former KRQE Meteorologist Mark Ronchetti who received 29%. Following Saturday’s convention, candidates Mick Rich and Louie Sanchez officially suspended their campaigns, leaving Gavin Clarkson, who plans to remain in the race, as the only other candidate.

In the Republican race for the U.S. House, District 1—Former law enforcement officerMichelle Garcia Holmes earned the top spot on the ballot with 63% of the delegate vote. She will face recent UNM Law School graduateJared Vander Dussen who also qualified for the ballot with 30% support. The third candidate in the race, Brett Kokinadis, received 7% and has indicated his plans to submit additional signatures in order to appear on the June ballot.

In the Republican race for the U.S. House, District 2—Yvette Herrell, a former State Representative and the 2018 Republican candidate in District 2, garnered 66% of the delegate vote, securing the top position on the June ballot. Meanwhile, local businesswoman Claire Chase also surpassed the required threshold, earning 33%. According to reports, candidate Chris Mathys, who received 1%, plans to file the additional signatures needed to appear on the ballot as well.

In the Republican race for the U.S. House, District 3—Former County Commissioner and School Board Member Harry Montoya successfully won a five-way race by receiving 39% of the delegate vote. Also exceeding the required threshold was local businesswoman Karen Bedonie with 31%. The third-place finisher, Anise Golden-Morper, officially suspended her campaign this week and endorsed Montoya. Meanwhile, Alexis Johnson plans to remain in the race and Audra Brown is evaluating the future of her campaign.

At the Democratic Pre-Primary Convention

In the Democratic race for the U.S. Senate—Current six-term Congressman Ben Ray Lujan is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary and will face the winner of the Republican Primary in November.

In the Democratic race for the U.S. House, District 1—Current Congresswoman Deb Haaland is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary and will face the winner of the Republican Primary in November.

In the Democratic race for the U.S. House, District 2—Current Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small is running unopposed in the Democratic Primary and will face the winner of the Republican Primary in November.

In the Democratic race for the U.S. House, District 3—In a seven-way race, local attorney Teresa Leger Fernandez garnered the top spot on the ballot after receiving 42% of the delegate vote. The only other candidate to surpass the 20% threshold was Sandoval County Treasurer Laura Montoya. Following the convention, however, the other five candidates—District Attorney Marco Serna, State Representative Joseph Sanchez, Valerie Plame, John Blair, and Kyle Tisdel—all indicated their intentions to submit additional signatures and stay in the race.

Elections Have Consequences

With the 2020 Election now coming into focus, Family Policy Alliance of New Mexico® will be working hard to keep you informed on where these candidates stand on critical issues—particularly those issues related to life, families, and our First Amendment rights. The Scripture tells us, “be subject to the governing authorities (Romans 13:1) and “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s” (Matthew 22:21). By God’s grace, we live in a state and nation where we have the power to vet our governing authorities and select our Caesars.

Elections have consequences and this year we have the opportunity to elect leaders who will represent and champion our values. So regardless of your party affiliation, I encourage you to take a stand with us this year byvoting pro-life, pro-family, and pro-freedom.

Together, let’s elect the change we desperately want and need—for a nation and state where religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished.