Businesswoman to lead New Mexico Republican Party

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The New Mexico Republican Party has chosen an Albuquerque businesswoman to be its next chairwoman.

The Albuquerque Journal reports (https://bit.ly/1u5jTRT) that the party’s central committee cast their votes Saturday during a meeting at an Albuquerque hotel for 42-year-old Debbie Maestas.

Maestas is the daughter of Republican Senate candidate Allen Weh and was her father’s campaign manager during his bid to unseat Democratic Sen. Tom Udall.

Maestas told GOP activists at the meeting that the party needs more enthusiasm, energy and money.

She also says the party needs to keep trying to diversify its support base to include more women, Hispanics and young adults.

Maestas replaces outgoing chairman John Billingsley, who announced he would not seek a second two-year term.

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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, https://www.abqjournal.com