Finances favor Native American congressional candidate

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Native American candidate for an open Congressional seat in central New Mexico has widened her financial advantage over a crowded field of candidates for the Democratic nomination. Laguna Pueblo member of former state Democratic Party chairwoman Debra Haaland has raised about $298,000 during the first three months of the year. Campaign finance statements filed on Sunday with the Federal Election Commission show that Haaland's campaign has a $684,000 cash balance. Former U.S. Attorney Damon Martinez's campaign says it raised $145,000 in the first financial quarter and has stockpiled $456,000 ahead of the state's June 5 primary. Janice Arnold-Jones is running unopposed for the Republican nomination and raised $32,000. Congresswoman Michelle Lujan Grisham is campaigning for governor and will not seek re-election to the first congressional district that encompasses Albuquerque.