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 those for 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, 2012PartyVotesPercentageSeats beforeSeats 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.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Michelle Lujan Grisham, Bernalillo County commissioner and candidate for this seat in 2008
Eliminated in primary Marty Chávez, former Albuquerque mayor Eric Griego, state senator
Declined Hector Balderas, state auditor Terry Brunner, head of rural development for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in New Mexico and Jeff Bingaman’s former state director Diane Denish, former lieutenant governor and nominee for governor in 2010 Martin Heinrich, incumbent U.S. representative Timothy M. Keller, state senator James B. Lewis, state treasurer Moe Maestas, state representative Stuart Paisano, former governor of Sandia Pueblo
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Janice Arnold-Jones, former state representative
Withdrawn Dan Lewis, Albuquerque City Councilmember
Disqualified Gary Smith, Army veteran
Declined Jon Barela, businessman and nominee for this seat in 2010
Primary results
General election Endorsements
Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MichelleLujan Grisham (D) JaniceArnold-Jones (R) UndecidedResearch & Polling IncResearch & Polling Inc October 23–25, 2012 401 ± 4.9% 51% 36% 13%Research & Polling IncResearch & Polling Inc October 9–11, 2012 402 ± 4.9% 51% 37% 12%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham) October 8–9, 2012 407 ± 5.0% 55% 40% 5%Research & Polling IncResearch & Polling Inc September 3–6, 2012 409 ± 4.8% 46% 34% 20%Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham)Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research (D-Lujan Grisham) July 10–15, 2012 502 ± 4.0% 50% 42% 8%
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call, November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP, November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
Results
District 2
Incumbent Republican Steve Pearce was elected in 2010, having previously served from 2003 until 2009. Pearce sought reelection in 2012.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Steve Pearce, incumbent U.S. representative
Primary results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Evelyn Madrid Erhard, former teacher at New Mexico State University
Withdrawn Martin Resendiz, mayor of Sunland Park
Disqualified Frank McKinnon, businessman and candidate for this seat in 2008
Declined Nate Cote, state representative Edgar Lopez, head of a real estate company Harry Teague, former U.S. representative
Primary results
General election Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror StevePearce (R) EvelynMadrid Erhard (D) UndecidedResearch & Polling Inc October 23–25, 2012 113 ± 9.2% 56% 38% 6%Research & Polling Inc October 9–11, 2012 116 ± 9.1% 55% 31% 15%Research & Polling Inc September 3–6, 2012 119 ± 9.0% 56% 30% 14%
Results
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
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.
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Ben Ray Luján, incumbent U.S. representative
Declined Sean Closson, artist and hotel worker Harry Montoya, Santa Fe County executive
Primary results
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Jefferson Byrd, rancher
Eliminated in primary Rick Newton, businessmanAP results
Primary results
General election Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror Ben RayLuján (D) JeffersonByrd (R) UndecidedResearch & Polling Inc October 23–25, 2012 148 ± 8.0% 53% 35% 12%Research & Polling Inc October 9–11, 2012 140 ± 8.3% 58% 34% 8%Research & Polling Inc September 3–6, 2012 139 ± 8.3% 57% 31% 12%
Results
Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012
References
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