New Mexico 2nd District Congress Race by Fiona Donovan https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj An open-seat battleground election between Xochitl Torres Small and Yvette Herrell By: Fiona Donovan, Tomii Eames, and Kaitlin Khong en-us 2018-11-01 21:34:56 UTC 2023-05-24 20:11:42 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Balance.png Xochitl Torres Small fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300107393 Affiliation: Democrat 
  • Leans more moderate/blue dog
Previous Occupations:
  • No previously held political office
  • Worked as a field representative for Senator Tom Udall (D)
  • Worked as a judicial law clerk for federal judge
  • Currently a water rights attorney at Kemp Smith LLP
Campaign Priorities:
  • Expanding access to healthcare
  • Increased funding for public schools
  • Living minimum wage
  • Comprehensive veteran service
  • Pro-Gun
    • Small is not endorsed by the NRA, but Herrell is
  • Access to water & water rights
Small’s campaign appeals to local issues.

Primary:
  • Beat opponent Madeleine Hildebrandt 72.6% to 27.4%
  • Garnered 25,395 votes to Hildebrandt’s 9,577
Campaign Ads:

Endorsements:
  • Elected Officials:
    • Mayor Ken Miyagishima of Las Cruces
    • Mayor Diana Trujillo of Anthony
    • State Senators Bill Soules and Jeff Steinborn
    • State Representatives Doreen Gallegos, Rudy Martinez, Joanne Ferrary
    • Former State Rep J. Paul Taylor
    • Former Vice President Joe Biden
    • Senator Tom Udall
    • Senator Martin Heinrich
    • New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas
  • PACs and Organizations:
    • Sierra Club
    • CHC-BOLD PAC
    • EMILY’s List
  • Note: Xochitl’s campaign website does not provide a list of endorsements, while Yvette Herrell’s does.
Scandal
  • Candidate not involved in any scandal
Campaign Finance:
  • Small’s campaign is largely built on individual donations, and she has consistently outraised Herrell on that front. 
  • Small has also not spent any personal money on this campaign, while Herrell has spend over $6,000

]]> 2018-11-03 20:21:54 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300107393 Politics of Race teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300107474 Incumbent Rep. Steve Pearce (Republican) represented the district from 2003 to 2009, and was elected again in 2010.
  • He is running for governor in 2018, so his seat is open, making this an open-seat race.
The district voted for Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, and John McCain in the three presidential elections previously leading up to the race this year. 
The Democrats see this race as an opportunity, as it will be competitive as two new candidates are fighting for this seat.
  • The Democratic Congressional Campaign spent almost $1.5 million against Herrell, the Republican candidate.

]]> 2018-11-03 20:22:35 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300107474 So How Close is the Race? teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300107716 The poll conducted by the New York Times from October 25, 2018 states that:
Herrell received 45% of support
Small received 44% of support
(The margin of error is: +/- 4.6 percentage pts)]]> 2018-11-03 20:26:20 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300107716 Yvette Herrell fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300109034 Affiliation: Republican
  • Far right/ extremely conservative
  • Was voted “most conservative” when in the New Mexico House of Representatives
Previous Occupation:
  • Realtor
  • New Mexico House of Representatives (2010)
Campaign Priorities:
  • Defunding planned parenthood
  • Enforcing immigration laws
  • Shrinking the size and scope of government
Primary:
  • Herrell defeated three other opponents; Monty Newman, Gavin Clarkson, and Clayburn Griffin (all men) with 49% of the vote
  • Herrell garnered 16,023 votes in total
Campaign Ads:

Endorsements:
  • Federal Elected Officials
    • Speaker Newt Gingrich
    • State Representatives Steve Pearce, Jim Jordan, Mark Meadows, and Mimi Walters
  • National Organizations
    • VIEW PAC
    • Maggie’s List
    • Susan B. Anthony List
    • NRA
    • Gun Owners of America
    • House Freedom Fund
    • National Right to Life
    • National Federation of Independent Businesses
    • US Chamber of Commerce
    • National Border Patrol Council
    • Albuquerque Journal
  • 33 Active State Elected Officials
  • 11 Retired State Elected Officials
Scandal
  • Candidate not involved in any scandal
Campaign Finances:
]]> 2018-11-03 20:43:16 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300109034 State Demographics kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300110213 Population: 2.09 million with an annual growth rate of 0.64%  
-The median age is New Mexico is approximately 37.2 years, with 50.5% females and 49.5% males.
-Age distribution among adults in New Mexico by political party:]]> 2018-11-03 20:57:46 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300110213 A Collection of Poll Results (8) teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300110444 This is a collection of 8 polls done by FiveThirtyEight (abc NEWS), and it shows the percentages of support and the margin for each poll. It also states which polls are partisan.]]> 2018-11-03 21:00:40 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300110444 *To vote in New Mexico, you must be registered at least 28 days before the election teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300111939 2018-11-03 21:19:10 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300111939 kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112067 Racial diversity: 
  • 73.5% Caucasians, 10.5% other races, 9.3% Natives of North America, 3.3% two or more races, 2% African Americans, and 1.4% Asians
  • Racial and ethnic composition by political party:
]]> 2018-11-03 21:20:12 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112067 teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112148 Voter registration eligibility requirements are as follows:
  1. Resident of New Mexico
  2. Citizen of the U.S.
  3. You cannot be legally deemed as “mentally incapacitated”
  4. Not a convicted felon, or a felon who has completed their sentence
  5. 18 years or older at the time of the next election

]]> 2018-11-03 21:21:25 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112148 kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112217 Religion: 
  • 75% of the population affiliated with a Christian based faith, 4% with a non-Christian based faith, and 21% unaffiliated with any faith in particular
  • Importance of religion in one's life among adults in New Mexico by political party:
]]> 2018-11-03 21:22:39 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112217 State Party Affiliation kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112375 A 2014 survey from Pew Research Center shows that the majority of adults (48%) identify as Democrat/lean Dem., 37% as Republican/lean Rep., and 15% as no lean (sample size: 312). 

]]> 2018-11-03 21:24:42 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112375 teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112881 You can register to vote either through:
  1. New Mexico Certificate of Registration Form
  2. National Voter Registration Form
]]> 2018-11-03 21:31:32 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300112881 District Demographics kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113284
  • Population: 702, 936
  • Gender: 50.3% Male, 49.7% Female
  • Race: 80.7% White, 6.0% American Indian and Alaskan Native 1.6% Black
  • Ethnicity: 52.1% Hispanic 
  • Median household income: $29,269
    • ]]>     2018-11-03 21:37:26 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113284     fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113397 2018-11-03 21:38:43 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113397 fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113471 2018-11-03 21:40:08 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113471 District Party Affiliation kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113658 The second district leans Republican, contrasting New Mexico's other two districts, which lean Democratic. 
    • New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District is the 183rd-most Republican National 
    • District is R+6, meaning this district´s results were 6% points more Republican than the national average in the previous two presidential elections 
    • Currently represented by incumbent Steve Pearce, member of Republican Party, since 2011:
    ]]>     2018-11-03 21:41:39 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300113658     Thesis fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300218804 Given the Republican leaning voting patterns and general far right momentum of this district, it is most likely that Yvette Herrell will win this election.]]> 2018-11-04 17:59:49 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300218804 Evidence fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300218840 An incumbent is someone already in office who holds an advantage in elections over newcomers. The former incumbent was Republican, giving the candidate from that party an upper hand. The district has consistently voted Republican in the past. These two factors create momentum within the district indicating that it will continue to vote Republican. For instance, specifically, the second district voted for the Republican candidate in the past three presidential elections. Trump, Romney, and McCain, all Republican, were chosen. Therefore, this indicates that it is most likely that Yvette will win this senate race. ]]> 2018-11-04 17:59:57 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300218840 kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300287651 The New Mexico 2nd District Senate election is held on November 6th, 2018. 
    New Mexico's 2nd is the largest Congressional district in America.
    The candidates of this Senate race are Democrat Xochitl Torres Small and Republican Yvette Herrell. ]]>     2018-11-05 01:53:12 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300287651     Alternate Perspective fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300291343 Although the district typically votes conservative, neither candidate has an incumbency advantage and recent polls are very close, typically between 43-48% of the vote for both candidates. Small is also a very moderate Democrat and she appeals to local interests, which makes her more appealing to the people within her district. ]]> 2018-11-05 02:15:54 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300291343 Types of Voting kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300295970 Voting at the Polls 
    -All polls are open from 7am to 7pm on election days. Someone who has voted in New Mexico before is not required to provide ID to vote, but a first-time voter who registered by mail (without an ID copy) has to show ID to vote. 
    Absentee Voting 
    -In New Mexico, all voters are eligible to vote absentee, and complete ballots must be returned to the count clerk or voter's precinct before 7pm on Election Day. 
    Early Voting 
    -The early voting period runs from Saturday, October 20 to Saturday, November 3. 
    Voting by Mail 
    -One should request their mail-in ballot by Friday, November 2 to their local election office.


    ]]>     2018-11-05 02:47:50 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300295970     Local Newspaper kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300787 Mendoza, Elena. “New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District Race Close as Election Day Nears.” KRQE, KRQE, 1 Nov. 2018, www.krqe.com/news/politics-governement/elections/new-mexico-s-2nd-congressional-district-race-close-as-election-day-nears/1565374013.]]> 2018-11-05 03:20:57 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300787 Public Opinion Polls kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300804 “Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics.” Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project, 11 May 2015, http://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/state/new-mexico/party-affiliation/]]> 2018-11-05 03:21:05 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300804 Candidate Website kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300820 Yvette Herrell
    “Home.” Yvette Herrell for Congress, https://www.herrellforcongress.com/
    Xochitl Torres Small
    “Xochitl Torres Small for Congress.” Xochitl Torres Small for Congress,https://www.xochforcongress.com/]]>     2018-11-05 03:21:10 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300820     Secretary of State Website kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300855 “Visit NMVote.org.” New Mexico Secretary of State, www.sos.state.nm.us/default.aspx.]]> 2018-11-05 03:21:21 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300855 Campaign Spending kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300939 “New Mexico District 02 2018 Race.” OpenSecrets, Center for Responsive Politics, https://www.opensecrets.org/races/candidates?cycle=2018&id=NM02&spec=N

    ]]>     2018-11-05 03:21:52 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300300939     Campaign Ads kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300301325 https://youtu.be/QanGHEDEzR
    https://www.youtube.com/watchv=mHViPTnf3lQ&feature=youtu.be
    https://youtu.be/qZpqN755Kjohttps://youtu.be/dvM_FC4nJCE    ]]>     2018-11-05 03:23:33 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300301325     kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300302359 2018-11-05 03:32:09 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300302359 Other fdonovan_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300303955 “New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District Election, 2018.” Ballotpedia, 
    2018, ballotpedia.org/New_Mexico%27s_2nd_Congressional_District_election,_2018.

    ]]>     2018-11-05 03:44:08 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300303955     Support for Donald Trump teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300314761 Support for Donald Trump is unique to this district (out of the three in New Mexico). This particular district supported Donald Trump heavily (by a margin of 10.2 pts.) However, Hillary Clinton had won New Mexico by 8.2 pts back in 2016.]]> 2018-11-05 05:03:06 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300314761 Images kkhong_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300321290 “New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District - Race Summary.” Elections Crossroad, electionscrossroad.com/analysis/new-mexicos-1st-congressional-district-race-summary.


    ]]>     2018-11-05 05:53:53 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300321290     Who's Giving Money? teames_20 https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300326701 The House Freedom Fund (PAC) is the top contributor to Yvette Herrell and her campaign, contributing a total of $48,928.00.  They are based out of Virginia and are pushing to get super conservative candidates to win elections this midterm election season.

    EMILY's List (PAC) is the top contributor to Xochitl Torres Small's campaign, contributing a total of $44,975.00. They are based out of Washington D.C., and aim to elect pro-choice democratic women candidates to office. ]]>     2018-11-05 06:40:15 UTC https://padlet.com/fdonovan_20/nzupoxmpzuxj/wish/300326701