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WASHINGTON — Lt. Gov. Diane Denish is standing by her candidate for the southern New Mexico congressional seat, despite accusations Harry Teague ignored a sexual harassment complaint against a top manager in Teague's business.

Denish was responding to news Tuesday that Carolina Cueto, a former secretary at Teague's ABC Rental Co. in Eunice, had filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in New Mexico against Teague and the operations manager of two of his companies. Cueto alleges that Teague did nothing to stop harassment she says came from operations manager James Chenault, despite her complaints.

Denish, who, like Teague, hails from Hobbs, gave the maximum $2,300 to Teague's campaign for the Democratic nomination to succeed Rep. Steve Pearce, a Hobbs Republican who is running for the Senate.

Do¤a Ana County Commissioner Bill McCamley and Al Kissling, Pearce's 2006 opponent, are also seeking the Democratic nod for the 2nd District.

Asked whether she was reconsidering her support, Denish said in a statement: "Absolutely not. Clearly, this lawsuit is aimed at an employee."

Denish said she knows Teague "is not only an employer who takes care of his employees, but their families with health care and other benefits."

Teague has declined to discuss the lawsuit directly but his campaign issued a statement Tuesday declaring he had nothing to do with the events described in Cueto's lawsuit and was named only because he owns the businesses named in the lawsuit.

But New Mexico Republican Party spokesman Scott Darnell said Teague hasn't done enough to clarify his knowledge of the events between Chenault and Cueto.

"Congressmen should be honest leaders who stand up for those who are most in need in our society," Darnell said. "If Mr. Teague did in fact turn a blind eye to an employee facing sexual harassment in one of his companies, he is not fit to make the tough and important decisions that have to be made each day in Congress.

"Teague owes all New Mexicans a thorough and truthful explanation of the situation and likely owes his former employee a heartfelt apology."

A spokesman for McCamley's campaign, Mike Ward, said the lawsuit raises "some troubling questions" that deserve to be answered, but said McCamley plans to stay focused on his own campaign.