July 29--The two candidates to become New Mexico's next governor have been staking out positions on a variety of issues, from guns to ethics.

There's one topic, however, that both Lt. Gov. Diane Denish, the Democrat, and Dona Ana District Attorney Susana Martinez, the Republican, say they need more time to think about.

Both women said this week they haven't decided whether they would go along with a proposal by Jemez Pueblo and Santa Fe businessman Gerald Peters to build a $60 million casino and resort in Southern New Mexico.

New Mexico's governor would have to sign off on the project if the federal government approves the request to locate an off-reservation tribal gambling operation in Anthony, between the cities of Las Cruces and El Paso, Texas.

That possibility is back on the table after being rejected by the Bush-era Department of the Interior, people familiar with the project said this week. A Bureau of Indian Affairs official last year said the Obama administration was reviewing federal policies, including one that required any off-reservation casino site to be within commuting distance of the reservation belonging to the Indian tribe making the request. Anthony is about 300 miles from Jemez Pueblo.

For Martinez, the issue involves a site virtually in her backyard. But a representative of her campaign said this week she needs more time to talk to the affected people and to see what the federal government does.

"Susana understands that the Department of Interior is discussing this issue with the affected tribal entities. She intends to have similar conversations with the affected entities and weigh all the evidence, including the economic impact on the area, and make a decision that best balances the needs of all New Mexicans," Ryan Cangiolosi, Martinez campaign manager, said in a statement.

"At this point, we must see if the federal government will act in a timely fashion on deciding whether to approve the application for the area."

Denish's campaign said she also will wait to see what the federal government decides. She then would consider various viewpoints before making up her mind.

"I recognize there is strong local support for it, but there are still many federal actions that would need to take place before any state decision on the issue would occur," she said in a statement. "If a decision is in the state's hands, I would be sure to bring all the stakeholders to the table and hear all sides before making a determination."

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog at www.greenchilechatter.com.

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