As Trump wins nationwide, Dems take House, expand Senate majority

In a disastrous night for Democrats nationwide that saw Republican Donald Trump win the presidency, the state party actually did well, retaking the House of Representatives and expanding the party’s majority in the state Senate. The scope of the advantage in both chambers isn’t yet known, as there could be up to four automatic recounts, […]

As Trump wins nationwide, Dems take House, expand Senate majority

In a disastrous night for Democrats nationwide that saw Republican Donald Trump win the presidency, the state party actually did well, retaking the House of Representatives and expanding the party’s majority in the state Senate.

The scope of the advantage in both chambers isn’t yet known, as there could be up to four automatic recounts, two in each chamber.

Democrats also won back the Secretary of State seat when Bernalillo County Clerk Maggie Toulouse Oliver easily defeated Republican Nora Espinoza.

“What a difference two years makes,” Toulouse Oliver told a crowd of supporters Tuesday night, referring to her 2014 loss to Republican Dianna Duran.

Duran resigned last year hours before pleading guilty to counts of misusing campaign funds, for which she spent 30 days in jail. Duran’s resignation triggered a new election in 2016.

Toulouse Oliver ran again and outspent her Republican opponent, culminating in an easy victory this time.

“We have a lot to do in the next two years,” she continued. “We will hold elected officials accountable and make sure elections are free and fair and accountable to everyone in this state.”

But it wasn’t all great for state Democrats. Republican judge Judith Nakamura retained her spot on the state Supreme Court, a rare Republican judicial win in the state. Democrats lead the high court with a 4-1 advantage.

A jubilant Nakamura, who was appointed to the high court last year, declared victory in the late hours of the night at the Albuquerque Convention Center.

“I just want to thank you New Mexico, thank you Republicans, thank you Democrats, thank you decline to state,” Nakamura said. “You decided to put independent judiciary above party politics.”

And the most high profile, if mainly symbolic, win for state Republicans was the defeat of Senate Majority Leader Michael Sanchez. The powerful Belen Democrat lost after Republican PACs spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the successful effort to defeat the thorn in the side of the governor.

Republican Greg Baca, who will take the seat, put the symbolism of his victory on show by standing next to Lt. Gov. John Sanchez. Sixteen years ago John Sanchez beat Michael Sanchez’s brother Raymond Sanchez, then Speaker of the House.

“We just want to work toward a better state here,” Baca said. “Let’s start talking about things like safer streets, better education, more jobs, more opportunities for everyone.”

Still, it appears that Democrats will expand their majority in the state Senate, though it won’t be completely clear by how many seats until final numbers come in and recounts are done.

Democrat Bill Tallman looks to have won a narrow victory over Republican Lisa Torraco in the Albuquerque-area SD 18 seat.

In the Las Cruces area, Democrat Jeff Steinborn easily defeated incumbent Republican Sen. Lee Cotter.

As of press time, Democrat incumbent Sen. John Sapien, D-Corrales, clung to a narrow lead over Republican challenger Diego Espinoza in the SD 9 seat, within the 1 percent threshold for an automatic recount.

The Senate District 39 race, which spans multiple counties from San Miguel to Lincoln County, showed a narrow lead for Democrat Liz Stefanics over Republican Senator Ted Barela. As of press time, the race was just outside the 1 percent margin for an automatic recount.

Democrats appear to have won back the state House, after two years under control of Republicans.

While several vulnerable House Republicans beat back challengers, like Albuquerque’s Sarah Maestas Barnes and House Majority Leader Nate Gentry, other Republicans fell.

Democrat Liz Thomson won back her Albuquerque seat, defeating Republican Christina Hall. Thomson lost to Republican Conrad James in 2014, after defeating him in 2012, but James opted not to run again this year, leaving an open seat.

Dona Ana County proved costly for Republicans. Democrat Nathan Small defeated incumbent Andy Nunez by more than 10 percentage points. And after losing two races to Terry McMillan, Democrat Joanne Ferrary defeated the Republican incumbent in her third attempt for the seat.

In another sequel race, Rodolpho “Rudy” Martinez defeated state Rep. John Zimmerman, a Republican who first picked up the seat two years ago. Martinez actually lost the portion of the district in Dona Ana County, but won handily in Grant County.

Republican state Rep. Paul Pacheco, who represents parts of Bernalillo and Sandoval Counties, trailed Daymon Ely with all precincts reporting within the 1 percent margin, triggering a likely recount.

But that wasn’t the closest race.

With all precincts reporting, Republican incumbent David Adkins lead his Democratic challenger Ronnie Martinez by just two votes. Even if the vote total shifts with provisional ballots, this race will be decided by a recount.

We're ad free

That means that we rely on support from readers like you. Help us keep reporting on the most important New Mexico Stories by donating today.

Related

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

Equality New Mexico endorses 15 legislative candidates

A New Mexico-based LGBTQ rights organization endorsed 15 candidates for state House and Senate seats for the 2024 elections.  Marshall Martinez, executive director of…
Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Lujan Grisham pocket vetoes two bills

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham pocket vetoed two bills the legislature passed this legislative session: one changing the Cybersecurity Act and the other concerning law…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

What consumers, farmers should know about the flu impacting dairy cows

Migrating birds appear to have caused a virus in dairy cattle that is causing reduced milk production. So far, the disease, which initially started…
Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republicans seek to limit national monument designations

Republican-backed legislation in the U.S. Congress would make it harder for the government to designate new national monuments. The proposed Congressional Oversight of the…
Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

Amid new graduation requirements, what do high schoolers want to learn?

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican The main things that bring Brayan Chavez to school every day: Seeing, talking to and engaging with…
Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

Special ed teachers hope lawmakers OK pay raises, admin changes

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican Brittany Behenna Griffith has a laundry list of adjectives to describe the ideal special education teacher:…
Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

Lawmakers must find consensus on competing education spending plans

By Margaret O’Hara, The Santa Fe New Mexican A challenging task awaits New Mexico lawmakers in the next 30 days: Reconciling three very different…
Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Health workers fear it’s profits before protection as CDC revisits airborne transmission

Amy Maxmen, KFF Health News Four years after hospitals in New York City overflowed with covid-19 patients, emergency physician Sonya Stokes remains shaken by…
Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Lujan Grisham, Biden admin announce $10 million in federal funds for tribes, pueblos

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday $10 million in funding from the federal American Rescue Plan Act was awarded to six tribal nations and…
Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

Proposal to curb executive powers moves to House Judiciary

The House Government, Elections and Indian Affairs Committee discussed a potential constitutional amendment that seeks to limit the governor’s executive powers. The committee approved…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

At stake in mifepristone case: Abortion, FDA’s authority, and return to 1873 obscenity law

Lawyers from the conservative Christian group that won the case to overturn Roe v. Wade are returning to the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday in pursuit…
Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Senators introduce legislation to aid abortion providers

Sen. Martin Heinrih and other Senate colleagues introduced abortion rights legislation into the U.S. Senate on Thursday. The Abortion Care Capacity Enhancement and Support…
New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid to cover cost of over-the-counter oral contraception

New Mexico Medicaid announced on Wednesday that it will cover the cost of Opill, the first oral contraception approved for over-the-counter use. It is…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…
San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

San Juan County, Navajo Nation settle redistricting case

The Navajo Nation and San Juan County reached an agreement Monday about commission districts after the tribe alleged that its members were not adequately…
MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

MIT ranks NM elections most well-run in the U.S.

New Mexico’s 2022 election was ranked most well-run in the country by Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Election Data and Science Lab’s Elections Performance Index.…
Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List endorses seven candidates for Legislature

Emily’s List, a nonprofit that supports women candidates and reproductive rights, endorsed seven incumbents facing general election opponents in New Mexico legislative elections. All…
Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Ex-GOP candidate allegedly hired people to kill witnesses in shootings of homes of Democratix politicians

Republican failed state house candidate Solomon Peña is facing more federal charges, this time on a murder-for-hire scheme.  Peña allegedly tried to hire two…
BLM announces final methane waste rule

BLM announces final methane waste rule

The federal Bureau of Land Management announced its final methane waste rule on Wednesday. These new regulations clamp down on the practice of venting…
U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

U.S. Supreme Court hears case to restrict access to medication abortion

The U.S. Supreme Court heard the case about the regulations around mifepristone, one of a two-step regime for abortion medication, on Tuesday. FDA v.…

GET INVOLVED

© 2023 New Mexico Political Report