New Mexico Republicans are angry that Secretary of State Mary Herrera hired U.S. Senate candidate Tom Udall's son-in-law to head the state Elections Bureau.

The new director, Jim Noel, is married to Udall's wife's daughter, Amanda Cooper. Cooper is managing the Northern New Mexico congressman's campaign against Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce for the seat being vacated by retiring U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M.

Noel, currently executive director of the state Judicial Standards Commission, starts his new job Sept. 8.

"The hiring of Tom Udall's son-in-law as state elections director is a stunning conflict of interest," spokeswoman Shira Rawlinson said in a statement Monday. "During an election that will be extremely competitive, it is entirely inappropriate that a close family member of one of the candidates be in charge of counting the votes. Just when we thought the Secretary of State could not be any more partisan or incompetent, she proves us wrong again."

Noel referred questions to the Secretary of State's Office. Spokesman James Flores said there is no conflict of interest. "We hired a guy to do a job. That's all it boils down to," Flores said. "We have Democrats, Republicans and an independent on our management team. Everyone here will be treated fairly and equitably."

Flores said Noel, who replaces former Director Daniel Ivey-Soto, "was the most qualified of all the candidates."

He was not immediately sure how many people had applied to head the bureau that oversees New Mexico's elections, a job which has been vacant since March.

Noel for 10 years has been involved in election law and ethics administration, according to Herrera's office. Gov. Bill Richardson appointed Noel to two election task forces as well as a pair of ethics-reform panels.

Since 2004, he has been the executive director and general counsel of the Judicial Standards Commission, which investigates complaints against judges and recommends disciplinary actions to the state Supreme Court.

Prior to working at the commission, Noel was an attorney with the Branch Law Firm in Albuquerque.

In 2002, his résumé shows, he served as counsel for the Albuquerque Democrat Richard Romero's campaign for Congress.

The bureau director deals with issues relating to voters and elections, the state's elections handbooks and legislative issues, Flores said. Noel will oversee about six staff members in the bureau.

The office also has hired Kelli Fulgenzi as the Bureau of Elections administrator. Fulgenzi previously was the assistant city clerk in Albuquerque and worked as the secretary for the Albuquerque Board of Ethics. She succeeds Daniel Miera, who held the office for six months before leaving at the end of June to become town manager of Taos.

Noel will earn $104,809 in his post. Fulgenzi, who started Monday, will earn $60,320.

"Jim Noel and Kelli Fulgenzi will add additional experience to the Bureau of Elections team," Herrera said in a statement.

"With the general election approaching, their knowledge and experience will assure a smooth process and they will contribute immediately toward the integrity and goal of carrying out an efficient election in November," she said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Contact Kate Nash at 986-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.santafenewmexican.com.