State auditor Hector Balderas, considered a rising star in the state Democratic Party, rolled to a win over Republican Susan Riedel in the contest for attorney general Tuesday after a race in which he touted his rise from poverty to the top levels of government and built a huge advantage in campaign cash.
Balderas had stockpiled more money than any other statewide office candidate — except Gov. Susana Martinez — early on and had a more than 8-to-1 cash advantage with three weeks to go.
Balderas has served as auditor since 2007. Riedel is a former judge and a prosecutor from Las Cruces.
There was no incumbent in Tuesday's election because Gary King vacated the post to run for governor.
Both Balderas and Riedel had agreed during the campaign that the attorney general's office needed to be more proactive in fighting corruption.