Serna, young Dem who survived tight DA primary, now faces GOP challenge
Serna relied on the regional appeal of his family name to help him raise money and obtain endorsements from a network of political contacts. Serna also campaigned on a sharply defined message, positioning himself as the modern candidate by pledging a treatment-oriented approach to drug offenders and a new policy on prosecutors' handling of police shootings.
His message brought interest to a down-ballot race at a time of heightened national attention on criminal justice to make the system smarter in how it uses limited resources.
Serna said he drew on support from volunteers who had personal experience with addiction. "They realized, as I had, that incarceration doesn't work," he said. "They wanted, as they referred to it, a breath of fresh air."
He had plenty of obstacles to overcome. At 33, Serna was the youngest candidate in the race and he had the least experience as a lawyer. None of the larger newspapers in the district endorsed him. Even so, his surname had a familiar appeal in the district's urban and rural pockets.
As the son of
"He shouldn't deny who his family is. I don't think you can ever get away from who you are, especially in
The persistent mentions of
Salazar, a former prosecutor who ran in the 2008
"Did supporters of his father come out for him? Probably," Salazar said. "But he was very smart in mobilizing the base up there."
On his website, Serna lists endorsements from a who's who of
Serna raked in donations, many from out of state. He raised and spent far more money than his competitors, accruing
His opponents in the race for district attorney,
Serna also carried progressive neighborhoods in
Overall, Serna won 35.5 percent of the 38,249 votes cast. Sanchez-Gagne received 32.6 percent, and Padgett, the incumbent by appointment, had 31.9 percent, according to unofficial results from the
The candidates split the district's three counties. Sanchez-Gagne carried
Turning out
Sanchez-Gagne campaigned as the most experienced candidate, touting 20 years as a prosecutor. Padgett presented herself as a competent administrator already busy improving the effectiveness of an office she was only appointed to lead late last year by Republican Gov. Susana Martinez.
Serna, though raised in
"I believe he came to my office not only to learn about prosecution but had it in the back of his mind he would someday run," Martinez said.
Serna worked for several years heading the office's domestic violence unit before he went on to serve as an assistant attorney general and launch his own campaign.
Serna says family and friends were a big part of his bid but maintains he is his own candidate.
"I think I've distinguished myself as my own person, but I will always be my parents' son," he said after winning the primary.
Serna now faces Republican
"There hasn't been a dialogue," she said of the dearth of
Chicoine says her campaign is based on "restoring respect for the rule of law."
Serna, meanwhile, says he's not overconfident, even though the primary may have seemed like a tougher race than the upcoming general election.
"I hate when people say I've got this in the bag," he said.
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