New Mexico Democrat Gabe Vasquez defeats GOP challenger for House seat

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Democrat Gabe Vasquez won a second term late Tuesday, defeating Republican challenger Yvette Herrell in a rematch for a U.S. House seat representing New Mexico.

The Associated Press, FOX News, and Paste BN were among the media outlets that announced the 2nd Congressional District race to Vasquez, who defeated Herrell in 2022 by 1,350 votes.

"The difference for me in this race was how much more knowledgeable I am about the issues impacting our district," Vasquez told the Las Cruces Sun-News, part of the Paste BN Network. "I haven't thought too much about what the former congresswoman and her platform is all about. I thought about governing from Day 1 and governing until I'm here. Regardless of the results of the election, I want to be proud of the work I've done, but I feel that the work I have done has given voters confidence to send me back to Congress."

The seat has flipped parties three times in the past six years. Herrell lost by two percentage points to Democrat Xochitl Torres Small in 2018, but won a rematch two years later, securing 54% of the 264,946 votes.

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The race for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District was identified as a potential swing district, even drawing U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson to stump for Herrell in Las Cruces during the summer and a visit to Albuquerque last week by former President Donald Trump. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also made a stop in Albuquerque in October.

Herrell attacked Vasquez on immigration and the border but also campaigned on the economy, an increased cost of living, and crime.

Vasquez recently introduced a bipartisan Stop Fentanyl at the Border Act, which would provide increased funding, technology, and staffing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He has also introduced a package of immigration and border bills, which he announced in November 2023.