U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson made a high-profile stop in New Mexico Wednesday to rally support for Republican congressional nominee Greg Cunningham, highlighting one of the GOP’s biggest opportunities to expand its narrow House majority this November.
And Johnson arrived with a message from President Donald Trump himself.
The Louisiana Republican said he spoke with Trump by phone Wednesday morning before traveling to Albuquerque and told the president where he was headed.
“He loves the state of New Mexico,” Johnson said of Trump. “He loves the people. He loves this candidate.”
Johnson said Trump agreed Cunningham is “straight out of central casting,” adding, “He’s going to be perfect for this district,” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.
Cunningham, a Marine Corps combat veteran, retired Albuquerque police detective, and small-business owner, is challenging two-term Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.
The race has quickly emerged as one of Republicans’ most important pickup opportunities in the country.
Trump carried the district in 2024 even as Vasquez narrowly survived reelection, giving Republicans confidence that voters who backed Trump could also send Cunningham to Washington this year.
“That’s what makes this district, puts it in play,” Johnson said, according to KOB.
Johnson said Republicans see New Mexico’s 2nd District as one of a small number of seats that could ultimately determine control of the U.S. House.
The Cook Political Report currently rates the race “Lean Democratic,” but Johnson argued national handicappers are underestimating Cunningham and the enthusiasm Republicans are seeing on the ground.
Before the press conference, Johnson attended a fundraiser for Cunningham that he said drew approximately 375 people — the largest crowd he had seen during his August campaign tour across dozens of congressional districts.
“We just had the largest crowd of the entire month of August that I’ve seen anywhere in America,” Johnson said.
KOAT reported Johnson also described the amount raised at the event as “extraordinary,” although he did not disclose a total.
The gathering also included state Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis), the Republican nominee challenging far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández in New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District.
Zamora’s appearance underscored Republicans’ broader effort to compete for congressional seats across New Mexico as the party works to protect and potentially grow its House majority.
After the fundraiser, Johnson joined Cunningham and law enforcement leaders for a press conference at Rio Bravo Brewing Co. in Albuquerque.
The speaker repeatedly emphasized Cunningham’s background in law enforcement and military service, contrasting it with Vasquez’s record in Washington.
“The incumbent in this district has had a shameful record,” Johnson said, according to KOB. “He voted against the tax cuts for hard working New Mexican families. He voted against border security measures over and over.”
Johnson also argued the Democrat Party is continuing to move further left, warning that Vasquez would ultimately fall in line with the party’s socialist wing if Democrats regain control of Congress.
“He will follow the DSA, the Democrat Socialists of America, takeover of the party,” Johnson said. “He won’t be able to stand up to the base.”
Johnson framed November’s election as a straightforward choice.
“The president won this district,” he said. “They are for common sense. They are not for crazy, and they’re going to get an opportunity in this election to vote for common sense.”
Cunningham, meanwhile, focused heavily on public safety and his 22 years serving as an Albuquerque police officer.
“I am not a politician that is telling police officers and detectives that I like them or I will listen to them,” Cunningham said. “I am one of them.”
“I have worked these streets. I’ve been in these alleys. I’ve gone through these doors,” he continued. “I know what these men and women need, and I am committed to getting that to them once we get elected to Congress.”
Cunningham was joined by law enforcement figures including Eddy County Sheriff Matt Hutchinson and members of the New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police.
Former New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police President Bob Martinez also took direct aim at Vasquez’s past record on policing.
“Congressman Vasquez talks a good line, but he basically was for defunding the police,” Martinez told the New Mexican, referring to Vasquez’s previous comments supporting the defund-the-police movement.
“He did not support the police,” Martinez added. “Now that it’s time to get reelected, he’s suddenly on board. But the fact of the matter is history speaks for itself.”
Vasquez responded by attacking Johnson and attempting to paint Cunningham as too closely aligned with Trump.
“My opponent since day one has said that he wants to be the representative of this district because he has Donald Trump’s approval,” Vasquez told KOAT. “Mike Johnson is here to validate that,” not mentioning that the President won the Second Congressional District.
A small group of left-wing protesters also gathered outside the event, staging a sad collection of assorted anti-Trump and anti-Johnson demonstrations while Cunningham and Johnson spoke inside.
Cunningham appeared completely unfazed.
“I’ve raised six children, have nine grandchildren, so I’m actually used to talking over stuff like this,” he joked.
The far bigger story Wednesday was happening inside: the Speaker of the House personally traveled to New Mexico, Trump sent his enthusiastic support, hundreds packed a Cunningham fundraiser, and national Republicans made unmistakably clear that they believe Vasquez’s seat is winnable.
Republicans are already preparing to spend millions in the Albuquerque and Las Cruces media markets as they target the district, while Cunningham has demonstrated growing fundraising strength.
With control of Congress potentially coming down to only a handful of races, New Mexico could find itself at the center of the national battle for the House.
Johnson believes Cunningham can deliver one of those decisive victories.
Cunningham sounded equally confident.
“I look forward to seeing you all in January,” he told supporters, “at the swearing-in ceremony.”