The New Mexico Democratic Party on Saturday picked Hector Balderas to run for state auditor.
The first-term legislator from Wagon Mound would replace Jeff Armijo. Armijo is fighting in court to keep his name on the ballot.
Balderas defeated Albuquerque lawyer Daniel Ivey-Soto, Albuquerque consultant Vince Baca and Armijo during Saturday’s meeting of the state central committee, according to the Associated Press.
Armijo didn’t attend the meeting and was in the running because a supporter nominated him, the news service reported.
The next step for the party and Armijo is a Tuesday hearing in Albuquerque on Armijo’s lawsuit. It’s at 4 p.m., an hour before the deadline to place a candidate on the ballot.
The party has filed a separate lawsuit in Santa Fe asking a judge to uphold the secretary of state’s decision to remove Armijo from the ballot. A hearing date in that case has not been set.
The New Mexico Democratic Party on Saturday picked Hector Balderas to run for state auditor.