Gardner winner in state rep race

Bryant Million: PNT Staff Writer

Incumbent Keith Gardner of Roswell was the overwhelming winner for the District 66 Republican state representative seat in Tuesday’s Roosevelt County primary.

Gardner garnered 69 percent of the vote, with 94 percent of the 163 precincts counted, to easily fend off a challenge by Lucille B. Tucker of Roswell.

Gardner is finishing up his first two-year term as state representative. He will run unopposed in the November general election.

In Roosevelt County, Gardner beat Tucker 383 to 174 votes with all 23 precincts reported.

Gardner also had comfortable leads in two of the other three counties in the district, according to the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Web site.

Other District 66 counties as of press time:

Chaves County (52 of 54 precincts)

• Gardner 333

• Tucker 157

Lea County (37 of 45 precincts)

• Gardner 157

• Tucker 115

Eddy County (41 of 41 precincts)

• Gardner 205

• Tucker 36

Tucker said she thought she ran a good campaign considering she was up against an incumbent.

“I am pleased with the outcome,” she said. “Despite the loss, I will continue to try and work for the district. I may not run for representative again, but I will do something.”

Gardner said he is looking forward to serving Roosevelt County and the rest of District 66 again.

“I appreciate the folks in Roosevelt County very much who came out in force.”