BorderWest

New Mexico Goes All Blue

By Rebecca Powell, 11-04-08

	Voting Instructions

It’s been a day full of omens.
The wind blew steadily all day.
Governor Richardson shaved.
And New Mexico turned blue.

Well, I’m predicting the state goes all blue, hours (minutes?) before the congressional race numbers are reported.

The breakdown:
President: Obama vs. McCain
McCain spent plenty of time in New Mexico, but the unhappiness with the Bush years was pervasive, and ultimately delivered the election to Obama.

US Senate Race: Tom Udall (D) takes Senator Pete Domenici’s (R) seat, defeating Steve Pearce.
This is good news for wilderness supporters. Udall has close ties with many environmental groups in New Mexico. This is bad news for People for Preserving Our Western Heritage. Pearce authored a bill, incorporating their proposal for federal lands in Doña Ana County.

1st Congressional District: Heinrich vs. White
Heinrich was well funded by the Democratic party and should easily deliver Albuquerque.

2nd Congressional District: Teague vs. Tinsley
Democrat and oil man Teague defeats Republican Tinsley. Teague personable persona wins the day, despite his faultering speech-making.

3rd Congressional District:Ben Ray Luján vs. Dan East
Luján has been predicted to win this seat by a wide margin.

The electoral map looks different than 2004, but rural counties still look overwhelmingly red. Part of New Mexico’s swing to blue can be attributed to the growth of urban centers in Albuquerque and Las Cruces. The rural/urban split remains and as to how much that disenfranchises people residing in communities with few resources and fewer people remains to be seen.

For better analysis and numbers of New Mexico Politics see Haussamen

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