John Dendahl

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John Dendahl is a syndicated columnist and Republican politician from New Mexico. He was a member of the United States ski team at 1960 Winter Olympics.

[edit] Political history

Dendahl served as New Mexico's Secretary of Economic Development and Tourism from 1988 to 1990, a position to which he was appointed by Republcian Governor Garrey Carruthers. In 1994, Dendahl unsuccessfully sought the Republican gubernatorial nomination but lost to Gary E. Johnson. In late 1994, Dendahl was elected chairman of the New Mexico Republican Party, a position he held until 2003.

[edit] 2006 Race for Governor

Dendahl was the 2006 Republican gubernatorial nominee. He was defeated, 68-32 percent by incumbent Democrat William Blaine "Bill" Richardson. Dendahl was picked by the New Mexico Republican State Central Committee to replace James Damron, who had won an uncontested primary but withdrew due to a lack of funds. Dendahl's running mate was three-term State Senator Sue Wilson Beffort.