A southern New Mexico Democrat got a key endorsement ahead of the 2nd Congressional District primary.
EMILY’s List, a national organization that supports women who support abortion rights, announced Friday it is endorsing Xochitl Torres Small.
“With this open seat, working families of the 2nd District have a chance to elect a leader who brings New Mexicans of all backgrounds together to tackle tough problems – not one who would end health care access for millions of people and give big corporations tax cuts at the expense of the middle class,” Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY’S List, said in a statement. “Southern New Mexico families can count on Xochitl doing the same in Congress, which is why EMILY’s List is proud to support her.”
The endorsement comes on the heels of Torres Small winning the Democratic pre-primary convention with nearly two-thirds of the votes from party delegates in the district.
Torres Small said she was “thrilled” to get the endorsement of the group.
“It is an honor to have them join our team, which is filled with strong women leaders from across the district. In EMILY’s List, I have a trusted partner that is invested in helping to improve the quality of life for all New Mexicans,” she said. “Their support of our grassroots campaign inspires me to continue to advocate every day for the issues important to southern New Mexicans: healthcare accessibility, improving our education system, and supporting our rural communities.”
The endorsement would likely mean a fundraising boost for Torres Small. EMILY’s List is one of the most prominent organizations that supports progressive candidates in the country.
Torres Small faces one opponent, Madeline Hildebrandt, in the primary this June.
The race received renewed attention when incumbent Republican Steve Pearce chose to run for governor instead of running for another term.
That, combined with the likelihood of a good electoral cycle for Democrats, has given Democrats hope that they can win the seat for just the second time since the state received a third congressional district. Democrat Harry Teague won the seat in the Democratic wave of 2008, when Pearce opted to run for U.S. Senate. In 2010, Pearce again ran for the 2nd Congressional District seat and easily defeated Teague.
Torres Small already received the backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, a key arm of the party for congressional races, as part of its Red to Blue program.
The organization has already endorsed Michelle Lujan Grisham for governor and Maggie Toulouse Oliver for Secretary of State.
