New Mexico set to begin primary vote for governor, Congress

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Early voting is about to begin in New Mexico's hotly contested primary elections for two open congressional seats and the governor's office. The state's primary election takes place on June 5 and early voting begins Tuesday at county clerk's offices across the state and through absentee mail-in ballots. Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce of Hobbs and Democratic Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham are campaigning for governor and leaving their congressional seats wide open. Second-term Republican Gov. Susana Martinez cannot run for re-election this year. Lujan Grisham faces primary competition from state Sen. Joseph Cervantes and businessman Jeff Apodaca. Democrats have piled into the primary race for the open Albuquerque-based congressional seat. The district leans Democrat. Republicans are waging a four-way primary in the state's southern congressional district, long dominated by Republicans.