Susan Vescovo, a former state racing commissioner whose mother is a state senator for the Democratic party, announced her plan to run for state Senate as a Republican.
Vescovo's mother is State Sen. Mary Kay Papen, D-Las Cruces. Papen released a statement that she was not happy with her daughter's decision to run as a Republican.
"I love her dearly, but I don't approve of what she's doing, and I don't support her," Papen said, according to The Hour.
Vescovo will challenge state Sen. Liz Stefanics, D-Cerrillos. She will focus on small business and Second Amendment rights, according to The Hour.
Vescovo said her mother told her the position would be difficult to win because Stefanics would receive a lot of money as a Democrat.
Papen was elected in 2001. She has been Senate president pro tem since 2013, according to The Hour.
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