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LAS CRUCES — Republican Leonard Lee Rawson sent an e-mail to supporters today conceding defeat in last week’s District 37 state Senate race against Democrat Steve Fischmann.
“Our district, which is the third largest by number of registered voters, appears to have a new senator to represent us,” Rawson wrote.
With all but eight provisional ballots from Sierra County left to be considered, Fischmann leads the current Senate minority whip by 544 votes. Fischmann has 13,131 votes, or 51.1 percent, to Rawson’s 12,587 votes, or 48.9 percent.
Rawson, who served in the Senate since 1987, thanked his supporters in the e-mail and wrote that he “poured my heart into serving each one of you in this unpaid capacity, often bearing your burdens with you, and it has been my joy to work diligently in your behalf.”
Fischmann could not immediately be reached for comment. His victory means there are no Republicans in the Legislature representing Doña Ana County except Sen. Dianna Duran, R-Tularosa, whose district is primarily in Otero Count but includes a small, rural area of eastern Doña Ana County.
Rawson made no mention in the e-mail of the concerns of potential voter fraud that he raised before the election. He also didn’t mention Doña Ana County’s absentee ballot snafu.
Rawson did write that he focused on providing top-notch service to his constituents by doing pre-legislative surveys at his own expense, keeping in touch through e-mail, having top attendance and voting records, focusing on issues instead of partisanship and “restoring the dignity and demeanor of the Senate.”
“My successor would do well to build on these higher standards. I anticipate that you will keep him informed of your concerns and interests,” Rawson wrote. “I am confident that you will hold him accountable to accurately and diligently represent you.”
Rawson wrote that he and his wife are looking forward to spending more time with family, friends and neighbors and to investing in their church and business. He said they have no regrets “and we have joyfully served you wholeheartedly! Our Lord is leading us in a new direction, and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”
