Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver has applied to be New Mexico’s next secretary of state, telling Gov. Susana Martinez in her application letter today that she is the “most experienced election administrator” in the state.
The Republican governor is accepting applications and recommendations for the $85,000-per year post, after former Secretary of State Dianna Duran resigned from office last week and pleaded guilty to misusing campaign contributions.
Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, ran against Duran in the 2014 general election but was narrowly defeated.
In her letter to the governor, Toulouse Oliver touted her record as Bernalillo County clerk and said that, if appointed, she would pursue new rules regarding campaign finance enforcement and work to prevent voter fraud.
“I am sure we share the belief that it is critical to restore public confidence in such an important office,” Toulouse Oliver wrote.
Martinez, who is currently traveling out of state, is expected to announce her choice as the new secretary of state in the coming weeks.
The appointee will then be expected to hold office at least through next year. A 2016 election will then be held to choose a new secretary of state.
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