By KRWG News
New Mexico – Republican Steve Pearce beat Democratic incumbent Harry Teague by ten points to regain the Second District House Seat. Republican Susana Martinez has won the New Mexico governor's race, making history as the first Hispanic woman to become a state's chief executive.
The 51-year-old Martinez defeated Democrat Diane Denish to also become New Mexico's first female governor.
There was no incumbent in the race. Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson was barred from seeking re-election because he served two consecutive terms.
Martinez, a career prosecutor, made Richardson a central figure in the campaign. She ran as if the election was a referendum on the governor, whose popularity sank amid high unemployment and federal investigations into pay-to-play allegations.
Denish has served as lieutenant governor since 2003 and was Richardson's running mate in 2002 and 2006.