New Mexico Election Settled by Game of Poker

ESTANCIA, N.M. -- Josie Richards and Michelle Dunlap each took the gamble of running for the office of Estancia Town Trustee. But with the vote being a draw, the only way to pick a winner was by a game of chance -- in this case, a hand of 5-card stud poker.

In the end, lady luck sided with Richards -- she drew a pair of nines.

"I was very nervous," said Richards. "I'm a big competitor and I wanted this position."

This isn't the first time a New Mexico election has been decided by a deck of cards. Under state law, in the event of a tie in an election, the winner is chosen by a game of chance.

In 2006, Edgewood's mayor was chosen by card draw. Some elections in the state have also been settled by a coin toss.

Richards' sister JoAnn Carlson ran for mayor of Estancia several years ago.

That race was also a tie decided by a round of poker.

JoAnn lost that hand to James Farrington.