While the outcome of the Republican primary remained uncertain Wednesday morning, Teresa Leger Fernandez has apparently won the Democratic Party nomination to succeed Rep. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) as the House member for the congressional district covering the Energy Department’s Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Leger Fernandez, an attorney with deep New Mexico roots and endorsements from national party leaders, claimed almost 42% of the vote (with 70% counted) in a primary field of six candidates. That placed her directly ahead of former Central Intelligence Agency officer Valerie Plame, who took about 23% of the vote, according to figures from The New York Times.
Wednesday morning news reports cited the Republican primary as still too close to call. Alexis Johnson, an engineer who has worked for Exelon Power, was leading former Democrat Harry Montoya by a tally of 39% to 35%. Seventy-eight percent of votes had been counted at deadline in the four-person race.
The 3rd Congressional District traditionally leans toward the Democratic Party. The district includes all or part of 16 counties within the northern part of New Mexico.
Lujan announced in April that he would give up the House seat he has held since 2009 to run for the Senate spot opening with the retirement of Sen. Tom Udall (D-N.M.). The general election is set for November.
Lujan has taken significant interest in DOE nuclear installations in New Mexico as a member of House Nuclear Cleanup Caucus.
