SANDIA PUEBLO, N.M. (AP) — State Republicans have chosen Harvey Yates to serve on the Republican National Committee in a shakeup of party leadership.
Yates unseated national committeeman Pat Rogers on Saturday at the state Republican convention by a vote of 278-195 among local delegates.
The contest has ramped up tensions about state party leadership as Republicans defend their majority in the state House of Representatives and aim to take control of the Senate. Rogers has held the committeeman post since 2008.
In his campaign, Yates has voiced concerns about New Mexico's lagging economy and says the GOP needs to work more closely with conservative Democrats. He lays much of the blame on Gov. Susana Martinez and her political adviser Jay McCleskey.