District attorney in Alec Baldwin’s case wins New Mexico Democratic primary race
District attorney in Alec Baldwin’s case wins New Mexico Democratic primary race
Cecelia Ammon fills out her ballot on primary election day at the Central Mercado in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
A voter casts his ballot at a polling location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - Republican political contender Steve Jones, of Ruidoso, N.M., submits a petition to run for the Republican nomination in hope of challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, of Albuquerque, Feb. 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Jones are competing to take on incumbent Stansbury in Congressional District 1, an Albuquerque-based district that leans Democrat. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
Poll workers help voters at an election center at the Holly Plaza Shopping Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, discusses a bill during a Senate Public Affair Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)
Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, right, greets his applauding supporters during a celebratory watch party at Hotel Andaluz in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Janet Harman, with Vote Uncommitted New Mexico, holds a sign outside the Daskalos Center, urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the June 4 primary election, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - New Mexico state Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, a member of the Navajo Nation, listens during the opening day of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee,File)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Voters check in with poll workers at a voting location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Jeff Van Der Mey displays his voting sticker after he and his wife Pat Van Der Mey cast their ballots in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Brenda Wilvert, of Sandia Park, casts her ballot at Tijeras City Hall in Tijeras, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
A voter submits his ballot in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - New Mexico state Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, attends a legislative committee hearing, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - Audrey Trujillo, right, candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, attends a conference on conspiracy theories about voting machines and discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election, at a hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)
Forest Williams fills out his ballot at an election center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Cecelia Ammon fills out her ballot on primary election day at the Central Mercado in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Cecelia Ammon fills out her ballot on primary election day at the Central Mercado in Southeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
A voter casts his ballot at a polling location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
A voter casts his ballot at a polling location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - Republican political contender Steve Jones, of Ruidoso, N.M., submits a petition to run for the Republican nomination in hope of challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, of Albuquerque, Feb. 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Jones are competing to take on incumbent Stansbury in Congressional District 1, an Albuquerque-based district that leans Democrat. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - Republican political contender Steve Jones, of Ruidoso, N.M., submits a petition to run for the Republican nomination in hope of challenging Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, of Albuquerque, Feb. 6, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. Republicans Louie Sanchez and Jones are competing to take on incumbent Stansbury in Congressional District 1, an Albuquerque-based district that leans Democrat. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
Poll workers help voters at an election center at the Holly Plaza Shopping Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Poll workers help voters at an election center at the Holly Plaza Shopping Center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, discusses a bill during a Senate Public Affair Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)
FILE - Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, discusses a bill during a Senate Public Affair Committee meeting at the State Capitol in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2016. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (Luis Sanchez Saturno/Santa Fe New Mexican via AP, File)
Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, right, greets his applauding supporters during a celebratory watch party at Hotel Andaluz in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Second Judicial District Attorney Sam Bregman, right, greets his applauding supporters during a celebratory watch party at Hotel Andaluz in Downtown Albuquerque, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Janet Harman, with Vote Uncommitted New Mexico, holds a sign outside the Daskalos Center, urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the June 4 primary election, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Janet Harman, with Vote Uncommitted New Mexico, holds a sign outside the Daskalos Center, urging Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in the June 4 primary election, in Northeast Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
FILE - New Mexico state Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, a member of the Navajo Nation, listens during the opening day of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee,File)
FILE - New Mexico state Sen. Shannon Pinto, D-Tohatchi, a member of the Navajo Nation, listens during the opening day of a 30-day legislative session in the House of Representatives in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee,File)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Political campaign supporters greet voters as they turn into a polling location in Santa Fe, N.M., Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters were picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary election to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee)
Voters check in with poll workers at a voting location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Voters check in with poll workers at a voting location in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Jeff Van Der Mey displays his voting sticker after he and his wife Pat Van Der Mey cast their ballots in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Jeff Van Der Mey displays his voting sticker after he and his wife Pat Van Der Mey cast their ballots in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
Brenda Wilvert, of Sandia Park, casts her ballot at Tijeras City Hall in Tijeras, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Brenda Wilvert, of Sandia Park, casts her ballot at Tijeras City Hall in Tijeras, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
A voter submits his ballot in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
A voter submits his ballot in Bernalillo, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in Tuesday’s primary to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Susan Montoya Bryan)
FILE - New Mexico state Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, attends a legislative committee hearing, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - New Mexico state Rep. Larry Scott, R-Hobbs, attends a legislative committee hearing, Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Santa Fe, N.M. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)
FILE - Audrey Trujillo, right, candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, attends a conference on conspiracy theories about voting machines and discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election, at a hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)
FILE - Audrey Trujillo, right, candidate for New Mexico Secretary of State, attends a conference on conspiracy theories about voting machines and discredited claims about the 2020 presidential election, at a hotel in West Palm Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. New Mexico voters are picking their partisan favorites in the state’s primary, Tuesday, June 4, 2024, to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November. (AP Photo/Jim Rassol, File)
Forest Williams fills out his ballot at an election center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
Forest Williams fills out his ballot at an election center in Albuquerque, N.M., on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. (Jon Austria/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — An incumbent district attorney pursuing an involuntary manslaughter charge against Alec Baldwin fended off a Democratic challenger in New Mexico’s primary election on Tuesday to ensure her reelection.
In other results, two Republicans who have stoked Donald Trump’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 election won GOP nominations for state Senate, advancing to competitive general election contests. And Democrats ousted a state senator accused of sexual harassment as voters picked their partisan favorites to reshape a Democratic-led Legislature, with all 112 seats up for election in November.
The votes in the first Senate election since redistricting in 2021 hold implications for Native American communities, the state’s oil industry and the #MeToo movement.
New Mexico has a closed primary system that limits participation to voters who register with major parties, leaving out Independent or unaffiliated voters, but not Libertarians.
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NATIVE AMERICAN INFLUENCE
Native American candidates made inroads toward greater representation in the Legislature with victories in two closely watched Democratic primaries.
In Senate District 30, activist Angel Charley of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women won the Democratic nomination against pro-business, socially conservative former Sen. Clemente Sanchez in a redrawn district with more Native American influence.
Charley is Diné, with Laguna and Zuni Pueblo ancestry. There are no Republican contenders in the district stretching from Isleta Pueblo near Albuquerque to the Arizona state line, traversing Acoma and Laguna pueblos.
In House District 69, incumbent Democratic Rep. Harry Garcia of Grants lost his bid for a fifth term. Attorney Michelle “Paulene” Abeyta of To’hajiilee on the Navajo Nation won the nomination for a district where two-thirds of registered voters identify as Native American. Abeyta has no Republican competition in the general election.
ALEC BALDWIN
District attorneys withstood primary challengers in crime-weary Albuquerque, as well as in Santa Fe, where special prosecutors are preparing to bring Alec Baldwin to trial in July on an involuntary manslaughter charge.
In a vote of confidence, incumbent Santa Fe-based District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altwies defeated former district attorney Marco Serna. Carmack-Altwies has vowed to hold Baldwin accountable for the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
In Albuquerque, incumbent District Attorney Sam Bregman, an appointee of the governor, ran successfully for the Democratic nomination, defeating Damon Martinez, who served as U.S. Attorney for New Mexico under President Barack Obama.
#MeToo MOVEMENT
The Democratic primary in Senate District 15 provided a reckoning over allegations of sexual harassment.
Democratic voters in the Albuquerque district ousted state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto in the wake of allegations of sexual harassment and bullying behavior that he disputed. A complaint about his consulting work for county clerks and possible conflicts of interest was dismissed in May.
Progressive challenger Heather Berghmans prevailed in the primary to compete in November against GOP contender Craig Degenhardt. The district extends from the intersection of Interstates 25 and 40 toward the city’s northeastern heights.
At the same time in House District 18, progressive activist and lobbyist Marianna Anaya prevailed in a four-way Democratic primary in a district with no GOP contenders. Anaya previously accused Ivey-Soto of groping her at a hotel reception in 2015. Ivey-Soto said he has no recollection of touching Anaya. The eastern Albuquerque district straddles I-40.
OIL REGION
Republicans were competing in politically conservative regions of the state as oil-industry advocates and conservative standard-bearers.
In Senate District 42, oilman and state Rep. Larry Scott of Hobbs defeated rancher and recently appointed state Sen. Steve McCutcheon of Carlsbad for control of a Senate district in the heart of southeastern New Mexico’s oil economy. McCutcheon was tapped by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham last year to succeed retired state Sen. Gay Kernan.
In an overlapping House District 62, three Republicans from Hobbs are vying to succeed Scott without competition from Democrats — Elaine Sena Cortez, Debra Hicks and attorney D’Nae Robinett Mills.
CONSPIRACISTS
Republicans who backed Donald Trump’s failed efforts to overturn the 2020 election won primary races in two state Senate districts.
In District 12, Sandoval County Commissioner Jay Block of Rio Rancho won the GOP nomination, defeating former state Sen. Candace Gould. He’ll run against Democrat Phillip Ramirez in November in the compact urban district. Block voted twice as a commissioner in 2022 against certifying local election results while stoking doubts about election integrity.
In District 9, Audrey Trujillo of Corrales won the GOP nomination for an open seat after running unsuccessfully for secretary of state in 2022. Trujillo has cheered Trump’s efforts to reverse the will of voters in 2020. She’ll compete in the general election against Democratic nominee Cindy Nava of Bernalillo, who on Tuesday defeated Heather Balas of Corrales in a district stretching from Bernalillo to Algodones, including portions of Sandia Pueblo.
INCUMBENTS CHALLENGED
More than 20 incumbents had primary challengers.
In Senate District 13, incumbent state Sen. Bill O’Neill of Albuquerque was competing for the Democratic nomination in a heavily redrawn district against another seasoned politician — Bernalillo County Commissioner Debbie O’Malley. The district includes downtown Albuquerque.
In Senate District 3, incumbent Shannon Pinto of Tohatchi on the Navajo Nation prevailed over Democratic challenger Sherylene Yazzie of Coyote Canyon in a decisive primary contest. Pinto succeeded her grandfather, John Pinto, a World War II Navajo Code Talker and the state’s longest-serving senator. The northwestern district includes parts of the Navajo Nation and Gallup.