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New Mexico Legislator Apologizes to Candidates

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A Hispanic state legislator is apologizing to two legislative candidates in Democratic primary races for referring to them in in ethnic terms and for deriding their character in an email to fellow Democrats.

Democratic Rep. Miguel Garcia of Albuquerque says he used inappropriate language regarding Jim Danner of Belen and Teresa Smith de Cherif of Los Lunas.

Garcia's email to other Democrats about primary races referred to Danner and Smith de Cherif as "Democratic Anglo newcomer opponents" with large egos and big mouths.

Garcia says he apologized because he was wrong to question their character and because he didn't take what he called the "moral high ground" on matters involving bigotry and discrimination.

Both Danner and Smith de Cherif say Garcia called them and that they accepted his apologies.