Deb Haaland won the Democratic nomination in New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, taking a big step closer to becoming the first Native American woman to serve in Congress.
Haaland defeated five challengers. With 55 percent of precincts reporting, she had about 39 percent of the vote.
She is running in the open race to succeed Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who vacated her seat to run for governor. The district leans heavily Democratic, and Haaland begins the general election as a heavy favorite.
If Lujan Grisham is elected to replace outgoing Republican Gov. Susana Martinez, New Mexico will become the first state to elect two women to the governor’s mansion consecutively. Rep. Steve Pearce (R) was not opposed for the Republican nomination.