Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez says he has decided not to seek the chamber's top job, president pro tempore. The Belen Democrat says he is happy in his current position as senate majority leader and hopes to return.
Sanchez is the sole survivor among top Senate Democrats targeted by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez and her political allies.
President Pro Tem Tim Jennings of Roswell lost his seat, as did Majority Whip Mary Jane Garcia of Dona Ana County.
No clear front-runner has emerged for the Senate pro tem job.
Unofficial election returns show that Democrats will outnumber Republicans 25-17 in the Senate.
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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.