A former government official who helped implement the Rail Runner commuter rail system has become the fifth Democrat to enter the race for governor of New Mexico.
Lawrence Rael of Los Ranchos kicked off his campaign Wednesday with an announcement at the Capitol. He pledged to work to strengthen the state's weak economy and improve public education.
Rael joins Attorney General Gary King, state Sens. Linda Lopez and Howie Morales and Santa Fe businessman Alan Webber in seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Rael recently resigned as state executive director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. He retired in 2009 after eight years as head of the Mid-Region Council of Governments, which oversees the commuter rail service.
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