2006 Governors Races

New Mexico CBS NEWS PROJECTS BILL RICHARDSONWINNER Democrat Bill Richardson (Incumbent) vs. Republican J.R. Damron Richardson was heavily favored. J.R. Damron, a Sante Fe physician, won the GOP primary with no ballot opposition, but withdrew from the race in mid-June, as his race failed to gain traction and his fundraising was slumping. The party replaced him with John Dendahl. U.S. Rep. Pete Domenici (R-AZ) writes on his Web site that Dendahl, with whom Domenici has not always seen eye to eye, is a "tough and strong campaigner." Dendahl, a clear conservative, was quoted in the Albuquerque Journal, railing against public school teachers: "Public school teachers skimp on basics because they are too busy teaching 'the three S’s – sexuality, self esteem, and Socialism,'" adding "most of the teachers in schools are of a socialist inclination...they do indeed brainwash children against the capitalist system." Richardson has benefited from a Democratic state legislature. He has cut taxes while increasing teachers’ salaries.