Notable New Mexico races, 2016
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| Notable New Mexico Races | |
|---|---|
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| Primary | June 7, 2016 |
| General | November 8, 2016 |
| 2016 Notable Races | |
|---|---|
| Choose a state below: | |
Ballotpedia identified 21 notable New Mexico state legislative races in 2016, 14 of which were general election races.The New Mexico House and Senate were also two of 20 battleground chambers Ballotpedia tracked in the November 2016 election.
Overview
- Main articles: New Mexico House of Representatives elections, 2016 and New Mexico State Senate elections, 2016
Ballotpedia identified the state House and state Senate as two of 20 battleground chambers around the nation in 2016. Before the general election, Republicans held a five-seat majority in the House while Democrats held a three-seat majority in the Senate. If Republicans take control of the Senate in 2016, New Mexico will become a Republican trifecta.
State House
In 2014, Republicans retook the state House and hold a five-seat majority. Prior to 2014, the Democrats held a five-seat majority. Democrats had to gain three seats to win back the majority in 2016.
State Senate
In 2012, Republicans gained three seats in the state Senate. In 2015, Gov. Susana Martinez (R) appointed a Republican to fill a Democratic seat. Republicans needed to flip three seats to tie in the chamber—since Lt. Gov. John Sanchez (R) has the tie-breaking vote—and flip four seats for an outright majority.
| Partisan breakdown of the New Mexico Legislature | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Republicans | Democrats | |
| New Mexico House | 37 seats | 33 seats | |
| New Mexico Senate | 18 seats | 24 seats | |
What makes a race notable?
Ballotpedia uses these criteria to identify notable races:
- Incumbents facing more conservative or liberal challengers
- Rematches between candidates
- Races that receive considerable media attention
- Races that could significantly affect the state's partisan balance
- Competitive races involving party leaders
- Open, competitive races with Republican and Democratic primaries
- Races that capture money and attention from outside groups, including key endorsements
Know of an interesting race we should include here? Email us!
Notable primary elections
State Senate District 17 - Primary election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a former senator who had become a Republican in 2008. |
Incumbent state Sen. Mimi Stewart (D) ran for re-election. She defeated former state Sen. Shannon Robinson (D) in the Democratic primary contest. No Republicans filed to run.
Robinson previously represented Senate District 17 from 1988 to 2008. After being targeted by his party in 2008, he ran as a Republican against Tim Keller (D), the Democratic primary opponent who defeated him. Robinson was also a 2012 Republican candidate for District 17.
State Senate District 19 - Primary election
| Four Republicans competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent. |
Incumbent state Sen. Sue Beffort (R) declined to run for re-election. Four Republicans competed in the Republican primary contest: James P. White (R) defeated Anthony L. Thornton (R), Herb A. Gadberry (R), and James R. Wilder (R). Harold W. Murphree (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, the four Republicans "share some fundamental conservative ideas," including a ban on abortion after 20 weeks, opposition to a minumum wage increase, and support for right-to-work legislation.[1]
State Senate District 22 - Primary election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a former state representative. |
Incumbent state Sen. Benny Shendo (D) ran for re-election. He defeated Sandra Jeff (D) in the Democratic primary contest. No Republican filed to run for the seat.
Jeff served in the New Mexico House of Representatives from 2008 to 2014, representing District 5.
State House District 21 - Primary election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a primary challenger backed by union groups. |
Incumbent state Rep. Idalia Lechuga-Tena (D) ran for re-election. Debra Marie Sarinana (D) defeated Lechuga-Tena and Amanda E. Kinkaid (D) in the Democratic primary contest. No Republicans filed to run for the seat.
The candidates received the following key endorsements. Sarinana received endorsements from prominent union groups, while Lechuga-Tena received endorsements from prominent party leaders:[2][3]
| Key endorsements | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lechuga-Tena | Kinkaid[4] | Sariana | ||
| State House Minority Leader Brian Egolf (D) | Albuquerque Area Firefighters, Local 244 | |||
| State Senate Majority Whip Michael Padilla (D) | Albuquerque Teachers Federation | |||
| Ambassador Ed Romero | American Federation of Teachers - New Mexico | |||
| New Mexico Treasurer and former state Sen. Tim Eichenberg (D) | State Sen. Mimi Stewart (D) | |||
| Former state Treasurer James Lewis (D) | State Sen. Jacob Candelaria (D) | |||
| AFSCME | AFSCME | |||
| State Rep. Patricio Ruiloba (D) | State Rep. Christine Trujillo (D) | |||
| State Rep. Debbie Rodella (D) | ||||
State House District 48 - Primary election
| Three Democrats competed for the open seat left by the Democratic incumbent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Luciano Varela (D) declined to run for re-election. Three Democrats competed in the Democratic primary contest: Linda Trujillo (D) defeated Jeff A. Varela (D), and Paul D. Campos (D) in the primary election.
Jeff Varela is the son of outgoing incumbent Luciano Varela.
The candidates received the following key endorsements:[5][6][7]
| Key endorsements | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trujillo | Campos | Varela | ||
| United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1564 | Rio Grande Chapter of the Sierra Club | State Rep. Luciano Varela (D) | ||
| American Federation of Teachers - New Mexico | Conservation Voters of New Mexico | Ron Trujillo, City of Santa Fe Councilor | ||
| Planned Parenthood Votes New Mexico | Lynn Pickard, retired New Mexico Court of Appeals Judge | |||
| EMILY's List | Pat Varela, Santa Fe County Treasurer | |||
| New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas (D) | ||||
| Former Lt. Gov. Diane Denish (D) | ||||
| Former New Mexico Secretary of State Stephanie Gonzales (D) | ||||
State House District 65 - Primary election
| Two Democrats competed for the open seat left by the Democratic incumbent. |
Incumbent state Rep. James Roger Madalena Jr. (D) declined to run for re-election. Derrick J. Lente (D) defeated Darryl F. Madalena (D) in the Democratic primary contest. No Republican filed to run for the seat.
Madalena is the son of outgoing incumbent James Roger Madalena Jr.
State House District 69 - Primary election
| Four Democrats competed for the open seat left by the Democratic incumbent. |
Incumbent state Rep. W. Ken Martinez (D) declined to run for re-election. Four Democrats competed for the open seat: Harry Garcia (D) defeated Terry L. Fletcher (D), Bennie Shelly (D), and Lloyd F. Felipe (D) in the primary election. No Republicans filed to run for the seat.
Shelly is the former president of the Navajo Nation, serving from 2011 to 2015.[8]
Felipe is a member of the Pueblo of Acoma and served previously as a Cibola County School Board member.[8]
Fletcher is a former president of the New Mexico Mining Safety Commission and former member of the Bank of New Mexico Board of Directors.[8]
Garcia is a small business owner.[8]
Notable general elections
State Senate District 9 - General election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a Republican opponent in a closely divided district. |
Incumbent state Sen. John Sapien (D) ran for re-election and defeated Jodilynn Ortiz in the Democratic primary contest. Sapien faced Diego Espinoza (R) in November.
The chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico said that District 9 was one of four state Senate seats the party targeted in an attempt to gain control of the chamber.[9]
In 2012, Sapien defeated former state Rep. David Doyle (R) by a margin of 50 percent to 49 percent—just 161 votes out of 23,147 votes cast.
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) named Senate District 9 in their "16 in '16: Races to Watch" to watch.[10]
State Senate District 15 - General election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a Republican opponent. |
Incumbent state Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D) ran for re-election. He faced Eric Burton (R) in November.
The chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico said that District 15 is one of four state Senate seats the party is targeting in an attempt to gain control of the chamber.[11]
In 2012, Ivey-Soto defeated his Republican opponent by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent.
State Senate District 29 - General election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a Republican opponent. |
Incumbent state Sen. Michael Sanchez (D) ran for re-election. He faced Gregory A. Baca (R) in November.
The chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico said that District 29 was one of four state Senate seats the party targeted in an attempt to gain control of the chamber.[9]
In 2012, Sanchez defeated his Republican opponent by a margin of 55 percent to 44 percent.
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) named Senate District 29 in their "16 in '16: Races to Watch" to watch.[12]
This district was included in the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee's list of "2016 Essential Races." Read more »
This district was included in the Republican State Leadership Committee's list of "16 in '16: Races to Watch." Read more »
State Senate District 36 - General election
| The Republican incumbent faced a Democratic opponent. |
Incumbent state Sen. Lee Cotter (R) ran for re-election. He faced former state Rep. Jeff Steinborn (D) in November.
In 2012, Cotter defeated his Democratic opponent by a margin of 53 percent to 46 percent.[9]
State Senate District 37 - General election
| The Democratic incumbent faced a Republican opponent. |
Incumbent state Sen. William P. Soules ran for re-election. He faced Cecelia H. Levatino (R) in November.
The chair of the Republican Party of New Mexico said that District 37 was one of four state Senate seats the party targeted in an attempt to gain control of the chamber.[9]
In 2012, Soules defeated his Republican opponent by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent.
State Senate District 39 - General election
| An appointed Republican incumbent ran for a full term. |
Incumbent state Sen. Ted Barela (R), who was appointed by Gov. Susana Martinez (R) in 2015, ran for a full term. He faced Liz Stefanics (D) in November.
Barela was appointed to replace Phil Griego (D), who resigned in the wake of an ethics violation.[13]
Martinez appointed Barela to the seat out of four people nominated by six county commissioners. Three out of the six counties nominated Santa Fe County Commissioner Liz Stefanics (D), who competed in the 2016 Democratic primary to replace Barela, as their pick.[14]
State House District 4 - General election
| The Republican incumbent faced a Democratic opponent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Sharon E. Clahchischilliage (R) ran for re-election. She faced Glojean B. Todacheene (D) in November.
In 2014, Clahchischilliage was re-elected to the chamber by a margin of 60 percent to 40 percent.
State House District 15 - General election
| The Republican incumbent faced a Democratic opponent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Sarah Maestas Barnes (R) ran for re-election. She faced Ane Romero (D) in November.
In 2014, Barnes was elected to the chamber by a margin of 51 percent to 48 percent.
State House District 24 - General election
| A Republican and a Democrat competed for the open seat left by the Republican incumbent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Conrad James (R) declined to run for re-election. Christina Marie Hall (R) defeated Ryan N. Boyle (R) in the Republican primary contest. Former state Rep. Elizabeth L. Thomson (D) was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Hall and Thomson faced off in November.
According to the Albuquerque Journal, "The House District 24 seat is seen as key to determining whether Republicans will keep control of the House in this year’s general election and could be one of the state’s most expensive races – both in terms of candidate and outside spending."[15]
The seat has gone back and forth between Republicans and Democrats since 2010. James, the outgoing incumbent, defeated Thomson in 2010. Thomson won back the seat in 2012, while James won back the seat in 2014.[15]
The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) named House District 24 in their "16 in '16: Races to Watch" to watch.[16]
State House District 30 - General election
| The Republican incumbent faced a Democratic opponent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Nathaniel Gentry (R) ran for re-election. He faced Natalie R. Figueroa (D) in November.
In 2014, Gentry was re-elected to the chamber by a margin of victory of 8.6 percent.
State House District 32 - General election
| A Republican and a Democrat competed for the open seat left by the Democratic incumbent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Dona Irwin (D) declined to run for re-election. Vicki K. Chavez (R) defeated J. Scott Chandler (R) in the Republican primary contest. Candie G. Sweetser (D) defeated Frederick H. Sherman in the Democratic primary. Chavez and Sweetser faced off in November.
In 2014, Irwin was re-elected to the seat by 6.2 percent. The Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) named House District 32 in their "16 in '16: Races to Watch" to watch.[17]
State House District 37 - General election
| District 37 featured a candidate rematch. |
Incumbent state Rep. Terry McMillan (R) ran for re-election. He faced Joanne J. Ferrary (D) in November.
In 2014, McMillan defeated Ferrary by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent.
State House District 39 - General election
| District 39 featured a candidate rematch. |
Incumbent state Rep. John L. Zimmerman (R) ran for re-election. He faced Rodolpho Martinez (D) in November.
In 2014, Zimmerman defeated Martinez by a margin of 52 percent to 47 percent.
State House District 43 - General election
| A Republican candidate challenged the Democratic incumbent. |
Incumbent state Rep. Stephanie Garcia Richard (D) ran for re-election. She faced Sharon Stover (R) in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries.
Freshman legislators
The following is a list of challengers who won election on November 8.
- Angelica Rubio (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 35
- Bill G. Tallman (Democratic), .New Mexico State Senate, District 18
- Candace Ruth Gould (Republican), .New Mexico State Senate, District 10
- Candie G. Sweetser (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 32
- Daymon B. Ely (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 23
- Debra Marie Sarinana (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 21
- Derrick J. Lente (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 65
- Elizabeth L. Thomson (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 24
- Greg Nibert (Republican), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 59
- Gregory A. Baca (Republican), .New Mexico State Senate, District 29
- Jeff Steinborn (Democratic), .New Mexico State Senate, District 36
- Joanne J. Ferrary (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 37
- Linda Trujillo (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 39
- Liz Stefanics (Democratic), .New Mexico State Senate, District 39
- Nathan P. Small (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 36
- Rebecca L. Dow (Republican), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 38
- Rodolpho Martinez (Democratic), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 39
Defeated incumbents
The following is a list of incumbents who were defeated on November 8.
- Andrew Nunez (Republican), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 36
- John L. Zimmerman (Republican), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 39
- Lee Cotter (Republican), .New Mexico State Senate, District 36
- Lisa Torraco (Republican), .New Mexico State Senate, District 18
- Michael Sanchez (Democratic), .New Mexico State Senate, District 29
- Paul Pacheco (Republican), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 23
- Ted Barela (Republican), .New Mexico State Senate, District 39
- Terry McMillan (Republican), .New Mexico House of Representatives, District 37
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Albuquerque Journal, "Four seek GOP nomination in Senate District 19," May 4, 2016
- ↑ Debra Marie Sarinana 2016 campaign website, "Endorsers," accessed May 13, 2016
- ↑ Idalia Lechuga-Tena 2016 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 13, 2016
- ↑ As of May 24, 2016, no endorsements had been listed on the candidate's website.
- ↑ Jeff Varela 2016 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 16, 2016
- ↑ Linda Trujillo 2016 campaign website, "Endorsements," accessed May 16, 2016
- ↑ Paul Campos 2016 campaign website, "Main page," accessed May 16, 2016
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Indian Country Today Media Network, "Ben Shelly Back in Politics, Running for NM District," March 14, 2016
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 The NM Political Report, "NM GOP chair highlights four Senate targets," accessed March 29, 2016
- ↑ Republican State Leadership Committee, "RSLC Announces First Round of “16 in ’16: Races to Watch”," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedGOPchai - ↑ Republican State Leadership Committee, "RSLC Announces First Round of “16 in ’16: Races to Watch”," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ KRQE News 15, "Martinez announces pick for New Mexico Senate vacancy," accessed April 7, 2015
- ↑ Miami Herald, "Martinez picks Republican for New Mexico Senate vacancy," accessed April 7, 2015(Archived)
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Albuquerque Journal, "House District 24 race has two new GOP faces," May 10, 2016
- ↑ Republican State Leadership Committee, "RSLC Announces First Round of “16 in ’16: Races to Watch”," accessed October 5, 2016
- ↑ Republican State Leadership Committee, "RSLC Releases Second Round of “16 in ’16: Races to Watch”," accessed October 5, 2016
