2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico
All 3 New Mexico seats to the United States House of Representatives
Democratic 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%	Republican 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, and elected the three U.S. Representatives from the state, one from each of the state's three congressional districts. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election, and a U.S. Senate election.

Overview

United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico, 2012^[1]
Party		Votes	Percentage	Seats before	Seats after	+/–
	Democratic	422,189	55.11%	2	2	-
	Republican	343,269	44.81%	1	1	-
	Independent (Write-in)	173	0.02%			-
	Green Party (Write-in)	459	0.06%			-
Totals		766,090	100%	3	3	-

District 1

The redrawn 1st district serves the central area of New Mexico, including almost three-fourths of Albuquerque. Incumbent Democrat Martin Heinrich, first elected in 2008, did not seek reelection, but instead ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Bingaman.^[2]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Michelle Lujan Grisham	19,111	40.1
	Democratic	Eric Griego	16,702	35.0
	Democratic	Martin Chávez	11,895	24.9
Total votes			47,708	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative^[10]^[11]

Withdrawn

Dan Lewis, Albuquerque City Councilmember^[12]

Disqualified

Gary Smith, Army veteran^[11]^[13]^[14]

Declined

Jon Barela, businessman and nominee for this seat in 2010^[15]

Primary results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Janice Arnold-Jones	26,198	100.0
Total votes			26,198	100.0

General election

Endorsements

Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)

Organizations

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program^[16]
EMILY's List^[17]

Janice Arnold-Jones (R)

Organizations

Maggie's List^[18]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Michelle Lujan Grisham (D)	Janice Arnold-Jones (R)	Undecided
Research & Polling Inc^[19]	October 23–25, 2012	401	± 4.9%	51%	36%	13%
Research & Polling Inc^[20]	October 9–11, 2012	402	± 4.9%	51%	37%	12%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)^[21]	October 8–9, 2012	407	± 5.0%	55%	40%	5%
Research & Polling Inc^[22]	September 3–6, 2012	409	± 4.8%	46%	34%	20%
Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)^[23]	July 10–15, 2012	502	± 4.0%	50%	42%	8%

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[24]	Safe D	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg^[25]	Safe D	November 2, 2012
Roll Call^[26]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[27]	Safe D	November 5, 2012
NY Times^[28]	Lean D	November 4, 2012
RCP^[29]	Safe D	November 4, 2012
The Hill^[30]	Likely D	November 4, 2012

Results

New Mexico's 1st congressional district, 2012^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Michelle Lujan Grisham	162,924	59.1
	Republican	Janice Arnold-Jones	112,472	40.8
	Green	Jeanne Pahls (write-in)	459	0.2
Total votes			275,855	100.0
	Democratic hold

District 2

Incumbent Republican Steve Pearce was elected in 2010, having previously served from 2003 until 2009. Pearce sought reelection in 2012.^[31]

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Steve Pearce, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steve Pearce (incumbent)	29,911	100.0
Total votes			29,911	100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Evelyn Madrid Erhard, former teacher at New Mexico State University^[32]^[33]

Withdrawn

Martin Resendiz, mayor of Sunland Park^[34]

Disqualified

Frank McKinnon, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2008^[35]^[33]

Declined

Nate Cote, state representative^[36]
Edgar Lopez, head of a real estate company^[37]
Harry Teague, former U.S. Representative^[38]

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Evelyn Madrid Erhard	24,175	100.0
Total votes			24,175	100.0

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Steve Pearce (R)	Evelyn Madrid Erhard (D)	Undecided
Research & Polling Inc^[19]	October 23–25, 2012	113	± 9.2%	56%	38%	6%
Research & Polling Inc^[20]	October 9–11, 2012	116	± 9.1%	55%	31%	15%
Research & Polling Inc^[22]	September 3–6, 2012	119	± 9.0%	56%	30%	14%

Results

New Mexico's 2nd congressional district, 2012^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Steve Pearce (incumbent)	133,180	59.0
	Democratic	Evelyn Madrid Erhard	92,162	40.9
	Independent	Jack A. McGrann (write-In)	173	0.1
Total votes			225,515	100.0
	Republican hold

District 3

Incumbent Democrat Ben Ray Luján was first elected in 2008. In April 2011 Luján declined to enter the U.S. Senate race and instead chose to seek reelection to the House of Representatives.^[39]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Ben Ray Luján, incumbent U.S. Representative

Declined

Sean Closson, artist and hotel worker^[40]
Harry Montoya, Santa Fe County Executive^[41]

Primary results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ben R. Luján (incumbent)	53,908	100.0
Total votes			53,908	100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Jefferson Byrd, rancher^[42]

Eliminated in primary

Rick Newton, businessman^[43]^[44]

Primary results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jefferson L. Byrd	13,055	53.5
	Republican	Frederick L. Newton	11,340	46.5
Total votes			24,395	100.0

General election

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size	Margin of error	Ben Ray Luján (D)	Jefferson Byrd (R)	Undecided
Research & Polling Inc^[19]	October 23–25, 2012	148	± 8.0%	53%	35%	12%
Research & Polling Inc^[20]	October 9–11, 2012	140	± 8.3%	58%	34%	8%
Research & Polling Inc^[22]	September 3–6, 2012	139	± 8.3%	57%	31%	12%

Results

New Mexico's 3rd congressional district, 2012^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ben Ray Luján (incumbent)	167,103	63.1
	Republican	Jefferson Byrd	97,616	36.9
Total votes			264,719	100.0
	Democratic hold

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Statewide Results" (PDF). New Mexico Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 4, 2013.
^ Blake, Aaron (April 2, 2011). "Heinrich to run for Senate in New Mexico". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
^ "Lujan Grisham wins hotly contested CD-1 primary". KOAT-TV. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.
^ ^a ^b Trygstad, Kyle (June 29, 2011). "Ex-Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez Running in 1st District". Roll Call. Retrieved June 29, 2011.
^ Miller, Sean J. (May 2, 2011). "Field grows in race for Heinrich's NM House seat". The Hill. Retrieved May 4, 2011.
^ Reichbach, Matthew (April 13, 2011). "Balderas won't seek Heinrich's seat". The New Mexico Independent. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
^ ^a ^b Haussamen, Heath (April 19, 2011). "Keller won't run for Congress". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
^ Haussamen, Heath (June 29, 2011). "Chávez is running for Congress; Denish isn't". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved June 30, 2011.
^ "No Moe in US House race". Capitol Report New Mexico. June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
^ Flores, Danielle (July 16, 2011). "Second Republican enters Congressional race". KOB. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
^ ^a ^b Reichbach, Matthew (March 20, 2012). "Dan Lewis drops out of congressional race". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ Haussamen, Heath (April 4, 2011). "Lewis formally enters congressional race". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved April 20, 2011.
^ Trygstad, Kyle (November 3, 2011). "Sierra Club Backs Eric Griego in New Mexico Primary". Roll Call. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
^ Reichbach, Matthew (April 16, 2012). "CD1: District court judge takes Smith off GOP primary ballot". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ Haussamen, Heath (January 21, 2012). "Barela won't run for CD1 seat". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
^ "RED TO BLUE 2012". DCCC. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
^ "Help Our Candidates Win!". emilyslist.org. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ "Maggie's List is pleased to endorse these conservative women candidates". maggieslist.org. Maggie's List. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c Research & Polling Inc
^ ^a ^b ^c Research & Polling Inc
^ Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)
^ ^a ^b ^c Research & Polling Inc
^ Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)
^ "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
^ "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com. November 2, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
^ [1], as of November 4, 2012^[update]
^ Crystal Ball, as of November 5, 2012^[update]
^ House Race Ratings, The New York Times, as of November 4, 2012^[update]
^ [2], as of November 4, 2012^[update]
^ "House Ratings". The Hill. November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.
^ "Pearce re-election committee has balance of $682K". Las Cruces Sun-News. April 17, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}
^ "Mesilla Democrat Seeks 2nd Congressional District Seat". Las Cruces Sun-News. Albuquerque Journal. December 1, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
^ ^a ^b Reichbach, Matthew (March 10, 2012). "Heinrich, Griego win pre-primaries, Balderas with a strong showing". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ "Sunland Park mayor won't run for Congress". Alamogordo Daily News. Associated Press. October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
^ "Democratic longshot takes on Steve Pearce". Capitol Report New Mexico. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
^ Haussamen, Heath (June 29, 2011). "Congressional run isn't likely, Cote says". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved July 18, 2011.
^ Haussamen, Heath (May 5, 2011). "Sunland Park mayor running for Congress; Cote might too". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
^ "Harry Teague: I won't run again". KRQE. Associated Press. January 7, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
^ Catanese, David (April 25, 2011). "Ben Ray Lujan won't run for Senate". Politico. Retrieved April 25, 2011.
^ Terrell, Steve (November 18, 2011). "Artist, hotel worker takes on Luján in Democratic primary". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
^ Haussamen, Heath (January 20, 2012). "Montoya to challenge Luján in CD3 Dem primary". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
^ Simonich, Milan (May 11, 2012). "Congressional candidate urges 2,000-mile barricade along US southern border". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Retrieved May 13, 2012.
^ Terrell, Steve (October 31, 2011). "Security-tech entrepreneur seeks to challenge Rep. Luján". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
^ AP results

External links

Elections from the New Mexico Secretary of State
United States House of Representatives elections in New Mexico, 2012 at Ballotpedia
New Mexico U.S. House at OurCampaigns.com
Campaign contributions for U.S. Congressional races in New Mexico at OpenSecrets
Outside spending at the Sunlight Foundation

[NMSS-1] "Statewide Results" (PDF). New Mexico Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 4, 2013.

[2] Blake, Aaron (April 2, 2011). "Heinrich to run for Senate in New Mexico". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 20, 2011.

[3] "Lujan Grisham wins hotly contested CD-1 primary". KOAT-TV. June 6, 2012. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved June 5, 2013.

[rc-4] Trygstad, Kyle (June 29, 2011). "Ex-Albuquerque Mayor Marty Chavez Running in 1st District". Roll Call. Retrieved June 29, 2011.

[5] Miller, Sean J. (May 2, 2011). "Field grows in race for Heinrich's NM House seat". The Hill. Retrieved May 4, 2011.

[6] Reichbach, Matthew (April 13, 2011). "Balderas won't seek Heinrich's seat". The New Mexico Independent. Retrieved April 20, 2011.

[keller-7] Haussamen, Heath (April 19, 2011). "Keller won't run for Congress". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved April 20, 2011.

[8] Haussamen, Heath (June 29, 2011). "Chávez is running for Congress; Denish isn't". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved June 30, 2011.

[9] "No Moe in US House race". Capitol Report New Mexico. June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2012.

[10] Flores, Danielle (July 16, 2011). "Second Republican enters Congressional race". KOB. Retrieved July 18, 2011.

[lewis_nmt-11] Reichbach, Matthew (March 20, 2012). "Dan Lewis drops out of congressional race". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on March 22, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[12] Haussamen, Heath (April 4, 2011). "Lewis formally enters congressional race". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved April 20, 2011.

[13] Trygstad, Kyle (November 3, 2011). "Sierra Club Backs Eric Griego in New Mexico Primary". Roll Call. Retrieved November 7, 2011.

[14] Reichbach, Matthew (April 16, 2012). "CD1: District court judge takes Smith off GOP primary ballot". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on April 19, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[15] Haussamen, Heath (January 21, 2012). "Barela won't run for CD1 seat". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved January 25, 2012.

[DCCC-16] "RED TO BLUE 2012". DCCC. Archived from the original on October 26, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2023.

[EMILY-17] "Help Our Candidates Win!". emilyslist.org. Archived from the original on November 14, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2023.

[Maggie-18] "Maggie's List is pleased to endorse these conservative women candidates". maggieslist.org. Maggie's List. Archived from the original on August 26, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2023.

[Research_&_Polling_Inc-19] Research & Polling Inc

[web.archive.org-20] Research & Polling Inc

[21] Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)

[ReferenceA-22] Research & Polling Inc

[23] Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)

[24] "The Cook Political Report — Charts – 2012 House Competitive Races". Cookpolitical.com. November 5, 2012. Retrieved November 6, 2012.

[House_Ratings-25] "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com. November 2, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.

[rollcall.com-26] [1], as of November 4, 2012^[update]

[Crystal_Ball-27] Crystal Ball, as of November 5, 2012^[update]

[House_Race_Ratings-28] House Race Ratings, The New York Times, as of November 4, 2012^[update]

[realclearpolitics.com-29] [2], as of November 4, 2012^[update]

[thehill.com-30] "House Ratings". The Hill. November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 4, 2012.

[31] "Pearce re-election committee has balance of $682K". Las Cruces Sun-News. April 17, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.^{[permanent dead link]}

[32] "Mesilla Democrat Seeks 2nd Congressional District Seat". Las Cruces Sun-News. Albuquerque Journal. December 1, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2012.

[heinrich_nmt-33] Reichbach, Matthew (March 10, 2012). "Heinrich, Griego win pre-primaries, Balderas with a strong showing". New Mexico Telegram. Archived from the original on March 17, 2012. Retrieved May 13, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

[34] "Sunland Park mayor won't run for Congress". Alamogordo Daily News. Associated Press. October 7, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011.

[35] "Democratic longshot takes on Steve Pearce". Capitol Report New Mexico. November 5, 2011. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2012.

[36] Haussamen, Heath (June 29, 2011). "Congressional run isn't likely, Cote says". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved July 18, 2011.

[nmpolitics2-37] Haussamen, Heath (May 5, 2011). "Sunland Park mayor running for Congress; Cote might too". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved May 7, 2011.

[38] "Harry Teague: I won't run again". KRQE. Associated Press. January 7, 2011. Retrieved May 13, 2012.

[39] Catanese, David (April 25, 2011). "Ben Ray Lujan won't run for Senate". Politico. Retrieved April 25, 2011.

[40] Terrell, Steve (November 18, 2011). "Artist, hotel worker takes on Luján in Democratic primary". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved December 3, 2011.

[41] Haussamen, Heath (January 20, 2012). "Montoya to challenge Luján in CD3 Dem primary". NMPolitics.net. Retrieved January 25, 2012.

[42] Simonich, Milan (May 11, 2012). "Congressional candidate urges 2,000-mile barricade along US southern border". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Retrieved May 13, 2012.

[43] Terrell, Steve (October 31, 2011). "Security-tech entrepreneur seeks to challenge Rep. Luján". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved November 2, 2011.

[44] AP results

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