Most incumbents in legislative seats representing the Rio Rancho area held their positions Tuesday.

The following results, from the New Mexico Secretary of State’s website, are unofficial until canvassing.

Jason C. Harper

In the state House of Representatives District 57 race, incumbent Republican Rep. Jason Harper won over second-time challenger Democrat Billie Helean, 52 percent to 48 percent. Harper has held the position since 2013.

Daymon Ely

Democrat incumbent state Rep. Daymon Ely held his seat in District 23 with 55 percent of votes. Republican challenger Ellis McMath received 45 percent. 

Ely has been a state representative since 2017.

In state Senate District 22, incumbent Democrat Sen. Benny Shendo Jr. garnered 66 percent of the vote to decisively beat Republican challenger Susan Aguayo, who had 34 percent. Shendo has held the seat since 2013.

N.M. Rep. Jane Powdrell-Culbert

Also, in state House District 44, Republican incumbent Jane Powdrell-Culbert won against two opponents, getting 52 percent of votes. Democrat challenger Gary Tripp garnered 44 percent of the support, and Libertarian challenger Jeremy Myers had 4 percent.

Powdrell-Culbert has held the seat since 2003.

Katy Duhigg

 On the other hand, in state Senate District 10, incumbent Republican Candace Gould was losing her position to Democrat challenger Katy Duhigg, 48 percent to 52 percent, respectively, as of press time. Gould has served one term.

New Mexico Senate District 9 had no incumbent running, as state Sen. John Sapien, a Democrat, didn’t seek another term. Democrat Brenda Grace McKenna took the seat with 54 percent of the vote, compared to Republican John Stahlman Clark’s 46 percent.

John Stahlman Clark

Republican incumbent state Sen. Craig Brandt ran unopposed for his third term in District 40. In state House District 60, Republican Joshua Hernandez ran unopposed to replace Republican Rep. Tim Lewis, who withdrew from the race after the primary election.

Lewis, who was unopposed in the primary, said he was stepping down to spend more time with his family and because he didn’t believe he should be a career politician. He had served as a state representative for about 10 years.