HOBBS, N.M. (AP) The New Mexico House Republican minority leader has announced he will not seek re-election. The Hobbs News-Sun reports that Donald Bratton told the Republican Party of Lea County on Thursday at a monthly meeting he has decided the step down after 22 years as an elected official. The Hobbs Republican was first elected for the position, replacing current Congressman Steve Pearce, in 2000.
Bratton says he plans to finish out his term, which expires at the end of the year. He says he wants to help the Republican Party gain the majority in the House in the state legislature.
Bratton has publicly endorsed Hobbs resident Larry Scott to run on the Republican ticket for his open seat.
