SUNLAND PARK, N.M. (AP) — A councilor in a troubled New Mexico border city who withdrew from his race but was re-elected anyway has resigned.

The Las Cruces Sun-News reports (http://goo.gl/wf8Iiv) that Sunland Park city Councilor Christian Lira resigned Monday as he challenges Rep. Mary Helen Garcia for the District 34 seat in the June 3 Democratic primary election.

The 31-year-old tried to withdraw from Sunland Park’s municipal elections in March but couldn’t because his decision came after the deadline to recuse himself from the election. He won re-election to his Council seat against three challengers.

In 2012, Sunland Park drew national attention after a mayoral candidate was charged with extortion for secretly recording an opponent receiving a lap dance from a topless woman in his campaign office.

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