Despite repeated assurances that he was in the race to stay, Santa Fe's J. R Damron announced to the NM Republican Party State Central Committee Saturday that he is dropping out of the race. The committee then chose ex-GOP Chairman John Dendahl to be their party's nominee to take on Democratic Governor Bill Richardson in the November election.

We'll have a complete report plus exclusive analysis for you Monday.

(c)NM POLITICS WITH JOE MONAHAN 2006
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