New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) won't be endorsing the only Indian candidate running for his old Congressional seat.

Richardson appointed Benny Shendo, a member of Jemez Pueblo, as the state's first Indian Affairs secretary. Shendo left the job to campaign for the 3rd Congressional District seat, which Richardson was the first to hold when it was created in 1982.

The district is home to more than a dozen tribes. But Richardson said Ben Ray Lujan, the son of House Speaker Ben Lujan, is more qualified.

Shendo is trailing Lujan and Don Wiviott for the Democratic nomination.

Get the Story:
Richardson goes for Lujan (The Santa Fe New Mexican 5/29)
Richardson Endorses Lujan in 3rd District (The Albuquerque Journal 5/29)

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Indian Congressional candidate cites experience (5/19)
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Pueblo Congressional candidate backs Obama (1/29)