Republican momentum grows in key New Mexico races as campaigns heat up
Momentum is building for New Mexico Republicans as two high-profile races, for the U.S. Senate and the state’s Second Congressional District, show vital signs of GOP support in what has been considered a Democrat stronghold in recent years.
In a recent fundraising email, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) rallied support for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, who is challenging incumbent far-left Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich. Lummis highlighted Domenici’s surprising rise in the polls, showing her within single digits of Heinrich, with 21% of voters still undecided. Domenici, daughter of former New Mexico U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, has made waves by out-raising Heinrich in her first quarter, positioning New Mexico’s Senate race as a potential flip for Republicans.
Lummis emphasized Domenici’s dedication to core Republican issues, including securing borders, promoting economic stability, and boosting domestic energy production. “Nella has my full support, and she’s on the brink of taking the lead in a race Democrats never thought they would have to fight,” Lummis wrote. She called for grassroots mobilization to sustain Domenici’s momentum, urging donors to invest in what could be a pivotal contest for control of the U.S. Senate.
Meanwhile, in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, Republican candidate Yvette Herrell is gaining ground in a tightly contested race against incumbent far-left Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez. Herrell’s campaign released polling numbers from The Tarrance Group showing her leading Vasquez 48% to 46%, with a 4.9% margin of error. Herrell attributed her lead to voters’ growing dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s policies and Vasquez’s alignment with a “radical agenda.”
Herrell’s message to supporters emphasized the need to press on during this crucial phase of the campaign. “Momentum is on our side, but this is FAR from mission accomplished,” Herrell stated, warning that the Democrats would likely ramp up attacks as her lead grows. Herrell has positioned herself as a staunch opponent of what she describes as Vasquez’s “open borders” policies and his opposition to anti-inflationary measures.
Both Domenici and Herrell have capitalized on dissatisfaction with the current administration and incumbents like Heinrich and Vasquez. They’ve drawn attention to policies they claim are out of touch with New Mexicans’ priorities, including border security and economic management. With both races heating up, Republicans see a path to flipping key seats and gaining an edge in a state once considered solidly blue.
As these campaigns head into the final stretch, the eyes of the nation are on New Mexico, where Republicans believe they can turn a historically Democrat state into a battleground in the 2024 election.