An Albuquerque lawyer has been elected as the new chairman of the Democratic Party of New Mexico.
Members of the party's central committee cast votes during a meeting Saturday in Las Cruces. Party officials say Sam Bregman won with just over 66 percent of the vote. Challenger Roxanne Lara finished with more than 33 percent.
Bregman replaces Javier Gonzales of Santa Fe, who is stepping down after nearly four years of leading the party.
On the top of the to-do list for Bregman will be the 2014 elections. Republican Gov. Susana Martinez is expected to bid for a second term, and Democrats will be looking to take back the office.
Bregman recently told the Albuquerque Journal that he would be a "pit bull" in standing up to Republicans.