Republicans crowd into primary race for governor, Congress

By MORGAN LEE
Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Candidates are crowding into the Republican primary election to challenge Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham as well as first-term Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury of Albuquerque in a newly drawn First District. New Mexico’s 2022 election landscape came into sharp focus on Tuesday during the one-day registration period for primary contestants to pursue major-party nominations that include the Libertarian Party. Democrats control every statewide elected office, as Lujan Grisham seeks a second term. Republican contenders for governor include former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti, state Rep. Rebecca Dow and Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block. First-term congresswomen are defending all three New Mexico congressional districts under newly drawn political boundaries.