Talk about a political rout. New Mexico Democrats not only defeated virtually all Republicans by very comfortable margins in all statewide executive offices and judicial offices, they appear to have added a seat to the already overwhelming state House Majority. To add a huge dose of salt to the bleeding Republican wounds, Democrat Gabe Vasquez scored a major upset defeating Republican Yvette Herrell in Second Congressional District making all 3 of New Mexico’s Congressional Districts held by Democrats.
GOVERNOR’S RACE
According to unofficial results, Lujan Grisham held a six-point percentage lead over Ronchetti with more than 660,000 votes cast in the race which is the identical margin Lujan Grisham had over Ronchetti in the last Albuquerque Journal poll.
Democrat Governor Mitchell Lujan Grisham basked in the glory of her landslide victory over challenger Mark Ronchetti by essentially rubbing the TV Weatherman’s face in his loss. When she first took to the stage she initially claimed she was a little late to declare victory because she was busy reviewing the state’s weather forecast. She then told the cheering crowd:
“The weather forecast for New Mexico is four more years of progress! Four more years of rebuilding our beloved state.”
She also denounced Ronchetti’s attacks of division on New Mexico’s culture and values coming from an outsider. Given the barrage of highly negative and at times false campaign ads launched by Ronchetti questioning her character, its difficult to fault her lampooning him.
Amid boisterous chants of “four more years” and with her husband, brother and adult daughters alongside her, she vowed to work to reduce poverty rates, improve public schools and expand child care programs saying “You guys know me, I’m relentless.”
The Governor did acknowledged the difficulty of the last four years saying:
“It’s been a hard four years. … New Mexicans and New Mexico have been through a hell of a lot.”
She noted the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires that plagued the state, and despite those difficulties, the state of New Mexico has prevailed and emerged stronger.
Republican Mark Ronchetti for his part was less than gracious with his conccesion speech taking a swipe at New Mexico’s religious values. Ronchetti, joined by his wife and eldest daughter, said in a speech to supporters shortly after 9:30 p.m. that he was “unlikely to win the race”. Ronchetti said this
“The reality is, for our campaign, it will likely come to an end tonight, without winning. … If the state of New Mexico draws closer to God, brighter days are ahead.”
He urged supporters not to give up on New Mexico and added that the election revealed a disconnect in New Mexico between rural New Mexico and urban New Mexico and that he intended to press on advocating for issues but not elaborating how or what.
Governor Lujan Grisham posted a blowout victory holding the lead throughout the evening count. She secured her victory lead with 40,000 votes to win Bernalillo County and 35,000 votes to win in Santa Fe County. Ronchetti for his part did have landslide victories in the conservative souteast counties of Lea where he secured 82% of the vote, Eddy County where he secured 77% of the vote and 72% in Chavez but the vote tallies were essentially from Republican strongholds and in no way could make up for the Governor’s victory margins in the cities of Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Cruces.
The 2022 race for Governor prove to be the most expensive race in New Mexico history. According to the last campaign finance reports filed with the New Mexico Secretary of State, Lujan Grisham reported raising $12.5 million for her reelection bid while Ronchetti raised and spent nearly $9.3 million.
Links tp quoted news sources are here:
https://www.abqjournal.com/2547544/michelle-lujan-grisham-wins-second-term-as-governor.html
https://www.koat.com/article/new-mexico-gubernatorial-election-results-2022/41648608
CONGRESSIONAL RACES
In the Southern 2nd Congressional District, Democrat Gabe Vasquez squeaked out a major upset over Incumbent Republican Representative Yvette Herrell with 50.2% to 49.7%. This is above the level calling for an automatic recount. The lead as reported by the Secretary of State’as office is 1,015 votes resulting in all 3 House congressional districts held by Democrats. Redistricting played the biggest influence in the race where Albuquerque South Valley is now included in the 2nd Congressional District.
In the Albuquerque 1st Congressional District, incumbent Representative Melanie Stansbury won her first full two year term defeating Republican Michelle Garcia Holmes 56% to 44%.
In the 2nd Congressional District, incumbent Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez won beating Republican Alexis Martinez Johnson 58% to 42%.
DATA DOWNLOAD
Following are the results of the 2022 election of the major races worth noting, minus the political gossip and spin:
GOVERNOR
Democrat Incumbent Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham: 701,264 (52%)
Republican Mark Ronchetti: 320,555 (46%)
Libertarian Karen Bedonie: 17,163 (2%)
TOTAL VOTE: 701,264
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=SW&map=CTY
SECRETARY OF STATE
Democrat Incumbent Maggie Toulouse Oliver: 377,674 (54%)
Republican Audrey Trujillo: 297,099 (43%)
Libertarian Mayna Myers: 19,770 (3%)
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=SW&map=CTY
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Democrat Raul Torrez: 381,339 (55%)
Republican Jeremy Gay: 310,486 (45%)
TOTAL VOTE: 691,825
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=SW&map=CTY
STATE TREASURER
Democrat Laura Montoya: 363,503 53%
Republican Harry Montoya: 322,194 (47%)
TOTAL VOTE: 685,697
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=SW&map=CTY
COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC LANDS
Incumbent Democrat Sephanie Garcia Richard: 372,56555% (55%)
Republican Jefferson Byrd: 307,424 (45%)
TOTAL VOTE: 680,521
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=SW&map=CTY
STATE AUDITOR
Democrat Joseph Maestas 392,237 (62%)
Libertarian Travis Steven Sanchez 243,245 (38%)
TOTAL VOTE: 685,697
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=SW&map=CTY
NEW MEXICO US CONGRESSIONAL RACES
1st CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICRT: STANSBURY LEADS GARCIA HOLMES
Democrat Incumbent Melanie Stansbury: 154,791 (56%)
Republican Michelle Garcia Holmes: 123,437 (44%)
TOTAL VOTE: 278,260
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY
2nd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICRT
Democrat Gabe Vasquez: 96,253 (WINNER)
Republican Incumbent Yvette Herrell: 95,238
TOTAL VOTE: 191,500
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY
3rd CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT:
Incumbent Democrat Teresa Leger Fernández: 129,333 (58%) (WINNER)
Republican Alexis Martinez Johnson: 94,155 (42%)
TOTAL VOTE: 223,488
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/resultsSW.aspx?type=FED&map=CTY
SUPREME COURT AND COURT OF APPEALS
SUPREME COURT POSTION 1
Democrat Julie Vargas 53% (359,725)
Republican THOMAS C MONTOYA 47% (324,536)
TOTAL VOTES: 684,261
SUPREME COURT POSITION 2
Democrat BRIANA H ZAMORA 54% (368,850)
Republican KERRY J MORRIS 46% (314,71)
TOTAL VOTES: 683,566
JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS POSITION 1
DEMOCRAT GERALD EDWARD BACA 50% (343,142)
REPUBLICAN BARBARA V JOHNSON 44% (303,008)
LIBERTARIAN SOPHIE COOPER 5% (36,792)
TOTAL VOTES: 682,942
JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS POSITION 2
DEMOCRAT KATHERINE ANNE WRAY: 51% (343,852)
REPUBLICAN GERTRUDE LEE 43% (293,747)
LIBERTARIAN STEPHEN P CURTIS 6% (42,959)
TOTAL VOTES: 680,558
BERNALILLO COUNTY COMMISSION
County Commissioner District 1
Democrat Barbara Baca: 62% (31,443)
Republican Michaela Chavez 38% (19,122)
County Commissioner District 5
Democrat Eric Olivas: 54% (30,415)
Republican Judy K. Young: 46% (26,073)
BERNALILLO COUNTY SHERRIF
Democrat John Allen: 54% (125,568)
Republican Paul Pacheco: 42% (97,145)
Libertarian Kaelen Dryer: 4% (9,845)
CLOSELY WATCHED NEW MEXICO HOUSE SEATS
House District 27 (Albuquerque NE Heights)
Incumbent Marian Matthews 7,631 (WINNER)
Robert S. Godshall 6,504
House District 28
Appointed Incumbent Representative Pamelya Herndon: 7,462 (WINNER)
Republican Nicole Chavez: 6,833
House District 17 (Albuquerque West Side)
Democrat Cynthia Borrego: 5,902 (WINNER)
Republican Ellis McMath: 5,309
House District 68
Democrat Charlotte Little: 5,564
Republican Robert Moss: 5,579 (WINNER)
House District 29
Incumbent Democrat Joy Garratt: 7,269
Gregory G. Cunningham: 6,426
House District 30
Incumbent Democrat Representative Natalie Figueroa: 6,641 (WINNER)
Republican Kurstin Johnson: 5,505
HOUSE DISTRICT 36 (Las Cruces area)
Democrat Nathan P. Small: 5,026 (52%) (WINNER)
Republican Kimberly A. Skaggs: 4,669 (48%)
HOUSE DISTRICT 44 (Corrales Area)
Democrat Kathleen M. Cates: 6,126 (WINNER)
Incumbent Republican Jane Powdrell-Culbert 5,045
HOUSE DISTROCT 57
Democrat Michelle Elenor Sandoval: 4,156 (WINNER)
Jason Carl Harper: 3,891
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
AMENDMENT 1: Diverting additional funding from the state’s permanent fund for early childhood education care and at risk students, extending the school year and teacher compensation.
YES: 464,808 (70%)
NO: 197,134 (30%)
TOTAL VOTE: 661,942
AMENDMENT 2: To allow public investment to provide access to essential household services, including internet, energy, water, wastewater and other similar services as provided by law.
Yes: 418,322 (65%)
No: 225,313 (35%)
TOTAL VOTE: 643,635
AMENDMENT 3: After being appointed, should judges serve on the bench for one year before running for office.
YES: 433,905 (69%)
nO: 236,011 (37%)
TOTAL VOTES: 631,290
https://electionresults.sos.state.nm.us/default.aspx
FINAL COMMENTARY
Congratulations to all the winners and best wishes to the losers. A big thank you to both for your willingness to run for office. Democracy has prevailed and the voices of the people have been heard and must be respected and to hell with election result deniers who try to disenfranchise voters. On to election 2024.