Associated Press

New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has named Albuquerque City Councilor Brad Winter as the state's next secretary of state.

Winter fills the vacancy left by Dianna Duran, who was sentenced Monday for funneling campaign donations to personal accounts to fuel a gambling addiction. She resigned in October after pleading guilty to the charges.

The governor's office confirmed Winter's selection after reviewing a number of applications. Spokesman Chris Sanchez says Winter will begin working as New Mexico's top elections official starting Tuesday.

Winter will serve at least through November's general election, when New Mexico voters will elect a new secretary of state.

Elected in 1998, Winter is Albuquerque's longest serving city councilor. He worked with Albuquerque Public Schools for more than 20 years before being named an interim superintendent in 2014. 

Source: http://kunm.org/