Roosevelt backs Bush

In a nip-and-tuck race for the presidency, Democrats and Republicans in Portales were still waiting late into the evening for a victor — even though Roosevelt County resoundingly favored President Bush.

Nationwide, CNN reported 246 electoral votes for Bush and 188 for John Kerry at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

With 21 of 22 precincts reporting at 10:15 p.m., 3,618 Roosevelt County voters favored Bush and 1,608 favored Kerry, the state secretary of state’s Web site showed.

Portales resident Dr. Martin Goodwin, a Republican and retired radiologist, was not surprised Portales favored Bush. He was, however, surprised Kerry had done so well nationally.

“I’m amazed how anyone can vote for Kerry,” he said. “I do believe Bush will win, I hope so. I’m not nervous.”

Like Goodwin, Roosevelt County Democrat Party Chairman Terry Cone said he wasn’t surprised Portales and Roosevelt County favored Bush.

“I’m nervous, still holding out for Kerry (to win),” he said. “I knew it was going to be close.”

How close?

Several states were too close to call by 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night. In New Mexico, Bush had 51 percent to Kerry’s 47 percent of the vote with 74 percent of the precincts reporting.

Ohio loomed as this year’s Florida, the decisive state, with Kerry’s options dwindling.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.