New Mexico
The contest in one New Mexico swing district mirrors a larger, anxious electorate
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On a warm Albuquerque evening with the majestic Sandia Mountains in the distance, New Mexico Democratic Congressman Gabe Vasquez is rallying supporters with a chant.
They’re using a common Spanish refrain this time of year: “Si, se puede,” which translates to “yes we can.”
The supporters were celebrating the launch of Vasquez’s new Albuquerque campaign office. Harley motorcycle riders, military veterans, state politicians and retirees all gathered from different corners of this large district in southern New Mexico, where two of the biggest issues in this election — immigration and abortion rights — are at the heart of a tightly-contested U.S. House race.
Democrats and Republicans both think they can win the state’s Second Congressional District — one of the swingiest districts in the country. However, the outcome is anyone’s guess for this largely rural corner of the state that has flipped red to blue and back again for more than 50 years.
Vasquez’s supporters believe the freshman congressman will be re-elected easily, even as he’s facing a tough rematch. Vasquez beat former Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell by only 1,350 votes in 2022.
“The momentum is behind him. He’s done an incredible job,” said state Sen. Antonio “Moe” Maestas.
“I think he’s probably got a better job this time,” said Karin Kalodimos, a new resident to the district from Nashville.
“As you can tell by the turnout, people are energized,” said state Rep. Art De la Cruz.
The Second Congressional District stretches from Albuquerque to the state’s borders with Mexico and Texas. Vasquez likes to remind supporters the 2nd is larger than the state of Pennsylvania.
In an interview with NPR following a recent tour of Albuquerque’s Real Time Crime Center, Vasquez said he is also bullish about his chances.
“We have worked our butts off to make sure that the people of this district are represented,” he said. “I know that there’s a lot of national turmoil. But in New Mexico, politics truly are local and in the second district I have shown up for people. I think that’s going to come out in the election results.”
A focus on crime and the border
Justin Hamel / AFP via Getty Images
/
AFP via Getty Images
Three hours south of Albuquerque at a sports bar in Las Cruces, N.M., Herrell is meeting with Republican supporters
She argues she’s poised to avenge her loss against Vasquez since the issues are on her side.
“They want a secure border. They want a better economy. You know, they want safe neighborhoods. They want a good education for their children,” Herrell told NPR about voters in the community. “It always seems to be coalescing around those issues in the Second Congressional District.”
Herrell is hitting Vasquez on crime and border issues — after all, Albuquerque and Las Cruces boast some of the highest crime rates in the country.
And supporters like Rebecca Dow, who is running for the New Mexico state House, says border issues hit different here.
“I know people say every community and every city is a border community now, but we’ve been living this, we’ve been living it,” she said.
That’s why Republicans angling to keep control of the U.S. House say this seat is among the top dozen races to flip this cycle.
Still, Herrell’s supporters concede there’s some headwinds, including Democratic redistricting in 2021 that shifted the district more blue.
Republicans are also hitting Vasquez on past controversies — including an arrest two decades ago for outstanding traffic tickets before his time in public office.
“Yvette Herrell can run on my traffic tickets and I will run on my record,” he said.
Democrats are talking about abortion to blunt GOP attacks
It marks one of many bitter turns in this fight
And while Republicans think they have the upper hand on the issues, Democrats are outraising and outspending Herrell dramatically.
They’ve also leaned into crime and border issues, while simultaneously blunting Republican attacks with their own on access to abortion.
“When you are very poor state and you’ve got people living 200-plus miles from a hospital or a health care provider, it’s hard,” Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said following a recent event with Vasquez.
They joined other state and local officials for the groundbreaking of a new reproductive health clinic
Supporters argue the new facility could be a major lifeline for women in this state and beyond.
It’s all part of what makes this a critical race in what Lujan Grisham concedes are challenging political times.
“People are anxious and frustrated and angry at elected officials for a number of valid reasons,” she said. “You know, it’s hard out there.”
Copyright 2024 NPR
SALT LAKE CITY — A missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Utah has passed away in his sleep unexpectedly Saturday in New Mexico, according to a news release from The Church.
Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died from a medical cause that has not been determined, Church spokesman Sam Penrod said in a statement.
According to The Church, Martin had been serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission since May 2024. He was from Salem, Utah.
Elder Caleb Gene Martin, 21, died in his sleep on Jan. 3 from a medical cause that has yet to be determined. He was serving in the New Mexico Farmington Mission. (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fellow missionaries. We pray they will find comfort and strength through their faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel the Savior’s love as they honor Elder Martin’s life and devoted missionary service,” the statement said.
According to the release, an autopsy is planned.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Southeastern New Mexico will see some snow while other places will generally see cooler, more winter-like temperatures. See the latest conditions at KOB.com/Weather.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Some notable cities in New Mexico could see multiple inches of snow, along with possible wind and cooler temperatures Sunday into Monday.
There is going to be snow across the southeast. A winter storm advisory is in effect all throughout areas like Ruidoso and out toward the Texas state line. A winter storm warning for Carlsbad and even a blizzard warning for the Guadalupe Mountains. These advisories and warnings indicate it’s going to continue until Monday at 6 p.m.
How much snow might there be? Ruidoso could see a few inches, along with other higher-elevation areas. Carlsbad might even see as much as two inches and Roswell has a very good chance of snow.
Wind gusts ranged from 23 mph for Hobbs and Clovis, 25 in Santa Rosa and similar readings in other places. Temperatures could hit sub-freezing temperatures in places like Ruidoso, Roswell, Carlsbad and Hobbs. Meanwhile, Gallup and Grants could get into the single-digits. Plus, places like Albuquerque and Santa Fe will be in the 20s but the big “winner” is Alamosa, Colorado, with 2 degrees.
Chief Meteorologist Eddie Garcia shares all the details in his full forecast in the video above.
MORE:
Wisconsin Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Jan. 4, 2026
Scouting report, keys for Cincinnati Bearcats on Big 12 road at WVU
The famous Wyoming cabins featured in a popular Hollywood western – East Idaho News
65 Best Bitcoin & Crypto Casinos to Play at in January 2026
Your privacy choices
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Trump vows US ‘in charge’ of Venezuela as he reveals if he’s spoken to Delcy Rodríguez
Trump’s abduction of Maduro escalates concerns over potential war with Iran
Cuba says 32 Cuban fighters killed in US raids on Venezuela
Dan Bongino officially leaves FBI deputy director role after less than a year, returns to ‘civilian life’
Hundreds march in silence to honour Crans-Montana fire victims
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
Indianapolis, IN1 week agoIndianapolis Colts playoffs: Updated elimination scenario, AFC standings, playoff picture for Week 17
-
Business1 week agoGoogle is at last letting users swap out embarrassing Gmail addresses without losing their data
-
Southeast1 week agoTwo attorneys vanish during Florida fishing trip as ‘heartbroken’ wife pleads for help finding them
-
Politics1 week agoMost shocking examples of Chinese espionage uncovered by the US this year: ‘Just the tip of the iceberg’
-
News1 week agoRoads could remain slick, icy Saturday morning in Philadelphia area, tracking another storm on the way
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
News1 week agoMarijuana rescheduling would bring some immediate changes, but others will take time