Cervantes Wins Democratic Primary For NM State Senate District 31

Joseph Cervantes defeated Jesus “Ruben” Segura by a nearly two-to-one margin on Tuesday to win the Democratic primary for the New Mexico State Senate District 31 seat.

District 31 includes Sunland Park, which has been the center of arrests of public officials in recent months. Cervantes said he worked for 12 years in the state legislature to bring about greater transparency and he said he hopes residents of Sunland Park will be responsive to similar transparency.

Segura was mayor in Sunland Park for 12 years until he decided not to seek reelection in 2008. Segura said no matter what the outcome was, he respected the will of the people. He also said he was satisfied with the grassroots approach of his campaign.

Segura admitted the recent fraud and public corruption scandals facing Sunland Park could have worked against him, but said he wanted to prove, “There are many good, hardworking people in Sunland Park.”

When asked whether he believed Seguras’ dozen years spent as mayor of Sunland Park helped to create a strong lead over his opponent, Cervantes replied, “I don’t want to presume what voters take into consideration. I think voters took a great deal of our records into consideration, and I hope that means favorable things by looking at my records.”

Cervantes will face Republican Brett Preston in November.