SANTA FE, N.M., Aug. 3 (Our New Mexico Times) — Stephanie Garcia Richard won the Democratic Party of New Mexico’s State Central Committee selection for lieutenant governor, replacing Maggie Toulouse Oliver on the party’s expected statewide ticket with gubernatorial nominee Deb Haaland, the party announced.
Garcia Richard received 255 of 477 votes, or 53%, while state Sen. Harold Pope received 218 votes, or 46%, according to the party’s announced results. Toni Pinedo received three votes and Geoffrey Luehring received one, KOB 4 reported.
The State Central Committee selected Garcia Richard after Toulouse Oliver withdrew following her victory in the June Democratic primary. Party information cited in the reports said Toulouse Oliver withdrew because of health issues.
Garcia Richard is New Mexico’s commissioner of public lands and is serving her second and final term overseeing the State Land Office. Haaland endorsed her before the committee vote, calling her an “engaged, collaborative partner from day one” in a statement on Haaland’s campaign website.
The committee’s selection is expected to place Garcia Richard on the Democratic ticket for the Nov. 3 general election, but the supplied reports do not establish that the New Mexico secretary of state has formally certified or accepted the replacement nomination. Republican state Sen. David Gallegos of Eunice is the reported Republican lieutenant governor nominee.
