AP: Teague Projected Winner In House Race

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – Harry Teague, who worked his way from oilfield hand to millionaire business owner, has added a dramatic chapter to his rags-to-riches biography by winning a seat in Congress.

The Democrat oilman from Hobbs, a high school dropout who spent $1.8 million of his own money on the race, defeated Republican Ed Tinsley to snap a 28-year GOP hold on southern New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.

Teague’s win was based on an analysis of information from voters interviewed as they left polling places. Interviews were conducted for The Associated Press by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International.

The 59-year-old son of Oklahoma sharecroppers, Teague moved to New Mexico as a youth and dropped out of Hobbs High School days before turning 17, laboring in the oilfield for $1.50 an hour to support his ill parents.

By TIM KORTE, Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.