New Mexico AG endorses water lawyer in key Congress race

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas is throwing his support behind a water attorney who is running for Congress in a closely watched race in southern New Mexico. Balderas announced Sunday he is endorsing Xochitl Torres Small over U.S. Coast Guard veteran Madeline "Mad" Hildebrandt in the Democratic primary for New Mexico's open 2nd Congressional District seat. The race is one of many expected to draw national attention in 2018 since it may help determine which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats have long targeted the heavily Hispanic district along the U.S.-Mexico border where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans. But it has remained in GOP hands thanks to the popularity of incumbent Rep. Steve Pearce, who is running for New Mexico governor.