Race against friend -- 'I hate it'

Dennis Kintigh

Milan Simonich - Roswell GOP primary is clean, but frustrating for candidates. Campaigning against a bitter enemy might be bad. State Rep. Dennis Kintigh says running against a close friend is no picnic either. "I hate it," Kintigh (far right) said today of his Republican primary race against fellow state Rep. Bob Wooley. Redistricting placed them into competition with one another in Roswell-based House District 66. Kintigh said cementing support is difficult under these conditions. Many voters decline to commit, saying they like both candidates and are reluctant to choose. He has been in the state House of Representatives for two terms.

Bob Wooley

He shares an office at the Capitol with Wooley, a first-term lawmaker who was appointed last year by Gov. Susana Martinez to fill a vacancy. Kintigh attended a committee meeting at the Capitol today, then hurried home to campaign.He said he never thought about dropping out of the race, despite his friendship with Wooley. "I've got definite ideas on public policy, and I want to pursue them," said Kintigh, 60. He favors term limits for legislators and wants a public vote on whether New Mexico should reinstate the death penalty for the worst crimes. For Wooley, 65, this campaign is a triumph in itself. He went through chemotherapy during the last legislative session to treat follicular lymphoma. He decided to run in the primary only after doctors said his cancer was in remission. Kintigh and Wooley are the only sitting lawmakers paired against one another in a primary. Read More News New Mexico

Race against friend -- 'I hate it'