# New Mexico's 2nd congressional district

New Mexico's 2nd congressional district serves the southern half of New Mexico, including Las Cruces, and the southern fourth of Albuquerque. It is currently represented by Democrat Gabe Vasquez.
The district was one of 13 congressional districts that voted for Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election while simultaneously electing a Democrat in the 2024 House of Representatives elections.

## History

Historically, the district has leaned more Republican than New Mexico's other two districts, particularly in presidential elections. In the 2020 election, Republican candidate Yvette Herrell defeated Democratic representative Xochitl Torres Small in a rematch of their race in 2018. Herrell is the third Native woman elected to Congress and she assumed office on January 3, 2021. Following the 2020 census, each congressional district in the state underwent redistricting "to ensure that each district has a variety of constituents better reflecting the diversity of interests in New Mexico as a whole." This district was made much more Democratic, as it gained more of Albuquerque while losing some heavily Republican areas in the eastern part of the state. With a tight margin, Democratic challenger Gabe Vasquez won the 2022 midterm election. Nevertheless, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of D+1, it is the least Democratic district in New Mexico, a state with an all-Democratic congressional delegation.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | Obama 57% - 42% |
| 2008 | Senate | Udall 60% - 40% |
| 2010 | Governor | Martinez 55% - 45% |
| 2010 | Secretary of State | Duran 54% - 46% |
| 2010 | Attorney General | King 54% - 46% |
| 2010 | Treasurer | Lewis 54% - 46% |
| 2010 | Auditor | Balderas 54% - 46% |
| 2012 | President | Obama 55% - 45% |
| 2012 | Senate | Heinrich 52% - 44% |
| 2014 | Senate | Udall 54% - 46% |
| 2014 | Governor | Martinez 59% - 41% |
| 2014 | Secretary of State | Duran 54% - 46% |
| 2014 | Attorney General | Balderas 55% - 45% |
| 2014 | Treasurer | Eichenberg 50.1% - 49.9% |
| 2014 | Auditor | Keller 51% - 49% |
| 2016 | President | Clinton 48% - 42% |
| 2016 | Secretary of State (Spec.) | Toulouse Oliver 54% - 46% |
| 2018 | Senate | Heinrich 53% - 33% |
| 2018 | Governor | Lujan Grisham 55% - 45% |
| 2018 | Attorney General | Balderas 59% - 36% |
| 2018 | Auditor | Colón 55% - 45% |
| 2020 | President | Biden 52% - 46% |
| 2020 | Senate | Ray Luján 50% - 47% |
| 2022 | Governor | Ronchetti 49% - 48% |
| 2022 | Secretary of State | Toulouse Oliver 50% - 47% |
| 2022 | Attorney General | Torrez 52% - 48% |
| 2022 | Treasurer | H. Montoya 50.1% - 49.9% |
| 2022 | Auditor | Maestas 59% - 41% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 50% - 48% |
| 2024 | Senate | Heinrich 52% - 48% |

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Bernalillo County (5)
    Albuquerque (part; also 1st), Isleta, Pajarito Mesa, Rio Rancho (part; also 1st; shared with Sandoval County), South Valley
Catron County (18)
    All 18 communities
Chaves County (0)
    No incorporated municipalities or census-recognized places
Cibola County (34)
    All 34 communities
Doña Ana County (30)
    All 30 communities
Eddy County (10)
    Atoka (part; also 3rd), Carlsbad, Happy Valley, Hope, La Huerta, Livingston Wheeler, Loco Hills, Loving, Malaga, Whites City
Grant County (26)
    All 26 communities
Hidalgo County (8)
    All 8 communities
Lea County (5)
    Eunice, Hobbs (part; also 3rd), Jal, Monument, Nadine
Luna County (11)
    All 11 communities
McKinley County (3)
    Ramah, Timberlake (shared with Cibola County), Zuni Pueblo
Otero County (17)
    All 17 communities
Sierra County (11)
    All 11 communities
Socorro County (16)
    All 16 communities
Valencia County (9)
    Belen, Casa Colorada, Highland Meadows, Jarales, Los Chaves, Los Lunas, Madrone, Pueblitos, Sausal

## List of members representing the district

| Member (Residence) | Party | Years | Cong ress | Electoral history | District location |
| District established January 3, 1969 ||||||
| Ed Foreman (Las Cruces) | Republican | January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1971 | 91st | Elected in 1968. Lost re-election. | 1969–1983 Catron, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, San Juan, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Harold Runnels (Lovington) | Democratic | January 3, 1971 – August 5, 1980 | 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Died. | 1969–1983 Catron, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, San Juan, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Vacant | Vacant | August 5, 1980 – January 3, 1981 | 96th | | 1969–1983 Catron, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, San Juan, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Joe Skeen (Picacho) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2003 | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired. | 1969–1983 Catron, Chaves, Curry, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, San Juan, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Joe Skeen (Picacho) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2003 | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired. | 1983–1993 [data missing] |
| Joe Skeen (Picacho) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2003 | 97th 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd 104th 105th 106th 107th | Elected in 1980. Re-elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Re-elected in 1994. Re-elected in 1996. Re-elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Retired. | 1993–2003 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Steve Pearce (Hobbs) | Republican | January 3, 2003 – January 3, 2009 | 108th 109th 110th | Elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Retired to run for U.S. senator. | 2003–2013 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Harry Teague (Hobbs) | Democratic | January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2011 | 111th | Elected in 2008. Lost re-election. | 2003–2013 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Steve Pearce (Hobbs) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 | 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired to run for Governor of New Mexico. | 2003–2013 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Steve Pearce (Hobbs) | Republican | January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2019 | 112th 113th 114th 115th | Elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Retired to run for Governor of New Mexico. | 2013–2023 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Xochitl Torres Small (Las Cruces) | Democratic | January 3, 2019 – January 3, 2021 | 116th | Elected in 2018. Lost re-election. | 2013–2023 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Yvette Herrell (Alamogordo) | Republican | January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023 | 117th | Elected in 2020. Lost re-election. | 2013–2023 Bernalillo, Catron, Chaves, Cibola, De Baca, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Guadalupe, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Roosevelt, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |
| Gabe Vasquez (Las Cruces) | Democratic | January 3, 2023 – present | 118th 119th | Elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. | 2023–present Bernalillo, Catron, Cibola, Doña Ana, Eddy, Grant, Hidalgo, Lea, Lincoln, Luna, McKinley, Otero, Sierra, Socorro, and Valencia |

## Election results
### 1968

1968 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ed Foreman | 71,857 | 50.48 |
| | Democratic | E. S. Johnny Walker | 69,858 | 49.08 |
| | Independent | Wilfredo Sedillo | 633 | 0.44 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 142,348 | 100.0 |
| | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) |

### 1970

1970 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harold L. Runnels | 64,518 | 51.37 |
| | Republican | Ed Foreman (Incumbent) | 61,074 | 48.63 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 125,592 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 1972

1972 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) | 116,152 | 72.17 |
| | Republican | George E. Presson | 44,784 | 27.83 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 160,936 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1974

1974 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) | 90,127 | 66.74 |
| | Republican | Donald W. Trubey | 43,045 | 31.88 |
| | American Independent | Herbert Horton | 1,860 | 1.38 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 135,032 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1976

1976 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) | 123,563 | 70.33 |
| | Republican | Donald W. Trubey | 52,131 | 29.67 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 175,694 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1978

1978 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harold L. Runnels (Incumbent) | 95,710 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 95,710 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### 1980

1980 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (as a write-in) | 61,564 | 38.00 |
| | Democratic | David King | 55,085 | 34.00 |
| | Independent | Dorothy Runnels (as a write-in) | 45,343 | 28.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 161,992 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 1982

1982 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 71,021 | 58.40 |
| | Democratic | Caleb Chandler | 50,599 | 41.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 121,620 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1984

1984 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 116,006 | 74.33 |
| | Democratic | Peter R. York | 40,063 | 25.67 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 156,069 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1986

1986 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 77,787 | 62.88 |
| | Democratic | Mike Runnels | 45,924 | 37.12 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 123,711 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1988

1988 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 100,324 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 100,324 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1990

1990 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 80,677 | 100.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 80,677 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1992

1992 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 94,838 | 56.39 |
| | Democratic | Dan Sosa Jr. | 73,157 | 43.50 |
| | Write-in | | 175 | 0.11 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 168,170 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1994

1994 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 89,966 | 63.28 |
| | Democratic | Benjamin Anthony Chavez | 45,316 | 31.87 |
| | Green | Rex R. Johnson | 6,898 | 4.85 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 142,180 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1996

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 95,091 | 55.93 |
| | Democratic | E. Shirley Baca | 74,915 | 44.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 170,006 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 1998

1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 85,077 | 57.93 |
| | Democratic | E. Shirley Baca | 61,796 | 42.07 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 146,873 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2000

2000 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joe Skeen (Incumbent) | 100,742 | 58.11 |
| | Democratic | Michael A. Montoya | 72,614 | 41.89 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 173,356 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2002

2002 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce | 79,631 | 56.23 |
| | Democratic | John Arthur Smith | 61,916 | 43.72 |
| | Green | George L. Dewey (as a write-in) | 43 | 0.03 |
| | Republican | Padraig M. Lynch (as a write-in) | 39 | 0.02 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 141,629 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2004

2004 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce (Incumbent) | 130,498 | 60.20 |
| | Democratic | Gary King | 86,292 | 39.80 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 216,790 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2006

2006 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce (Incumbent) | 92,620 | 59.42 |
| | Democratic | Albert Kissling | 63,119 | 40.49 |
| | Democratic | C. Dean Burk (as a write-in) | 135 | 0.09 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 155,874 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2008

2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harry Teague | 129,572 | 55.96 |
| | Republican | Edward R. Tinsley | 101,980 | 44.04 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 231,552 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 2010

2010 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce | 94,053 | 55.40 |
| | Democratic | Harry Teague (Incumbent) | 75,709 | 44.60 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 169,762 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 2012

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce (Incumbent) | 133,180 | 59.06 |
| | Democratic | Evelyn Madrid Erhard | 92,162 | 40.87 |
| | Independent | Jack A. McGrann (Write-In) | 173 | 0.08 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 225,515 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2014

2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce (Incumbent) | 95,209 | 64.43 |
| | Democratic | Rocky Lara | 52,499 | 35.52 |
| | Republican | Jack McGrann (Write-In) | 69 | 0.05 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 147,777 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2016

2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steve Pearce (Incumbent) | 143,514 | 62.72 |
| | Democratic | Merrie Lee Soules | 85,232 | 37.25 |
| | Republican | Jack A McGrann (write in) | 70 | 0.03 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 228,816 | 100 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### 2018

2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Xochitl Torres Small | 101,489 | 50.90 |
| | Republican | Yvette Herrell | 97,767 | 49.10 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 199,256 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 2020

2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Yvette Herrell | 142,169 | 53.75 |
| | Democratic | Xochitl Torres Small (incumbent) | 122,314 | 46.25 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 264,483 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### 2022

2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gabe Vasquez | 96,986 | 50.34 |
| | Republican | Yvette Herrell (incumbent) | 95,636 | 49.64 |
| | Democratic | Eliseo Luna (write-in) | 51 | 0.03 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 192,673 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### 2024

2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico: District 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gabe Vasquez (incumbent) | 138,177 | 52.08 |
| | Republican | Yvette Herrell | 127,145 | 47.92 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 265,322 | 100.00 |
| | Democratic gain from | Democratic gain from | Democratic gain from | Democratic gain from |