Democrat Wins Special Election for New Mexico Congressional Seat

Democrat Wins Special Election for New Mexico Congressional Seat
Melanie Stansbury addresses supporters after winning the election in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District race to fill former U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland's seat, at the Hotel Albuquerque in Albuquerque, N.M., on June 1, 2021. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

Democrats have retained a congressional seat representing part of New Mexico, filling a vacancy that arose when the officeholder left to join President Joe Biden’s administration.

Democrat nominee Melanie Ann Stansbury won the race for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, according to the final tally on June 1. Stansbury received 79,208 votes, over 32,000 more than Republican candidate Mark David Moores.

“It’s a good day to be a New Mexican because tonight New Mexico delivered for our people, delivered for our communities, and delivered for the United States of America,” Stansbury told a crowd during an election night celebration.

Stansbury, a state representative who formerly served in the Obama administration, ran on a platform that included tackling climate change, protecting land and water, and pushing for universal health care.

“Democrats sent a clear message during this election that we’re not taking anything for granted when it comes to electing leaders who truly represent our values. While the GOP relied on fear mongering and lies, Democrats were building an expansive field program and working to get out the vote. We know the importance of electing strong Democrats like Melanie Stansbury, and we will continue to build on that momentum as we look toward 2022,” Jessica Velasquez, chair of the Democratic Party of New Mexico, said in a statement.

Republicans painted Stansbury as an anti-police candidate who would cut funding for law enforcement, noting her support for the BREATHE Act.

“This would actually defund police and prisons and all punishment paradigms,” Moores, a state senator, said during a recent appearance on Fox News, calling the act “the most radical legislation” promoted in Washington.

mark-moores
New Mexico 1st Congressional District GOP candidate Mark Moores awaits results of the special election at GOP headquarters, in Albuquerque, N.M., on June 1, 2021. (Adolphe Pierre-Louis/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

The Republican told voters he would support law enforcement, help safely reopen New Mexico, and protect jobs in the state.

The race was held several months after former Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) vacated the seat to become Biden’s interior secretary.

Democrats have held the 1st Congressional seat since 2009 and the district has gone for Democrat presidential candidates since before then.

Republicans missed an opportunity to cut into the narrow margin of control Democrats have in the House of Representatives. Once Stansbury is sworn in, the majority will grow to 220-211, with four vacancies.

Candidates are running to replace former Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), who also joined the Biden administration; late Reps. Ron Wright (R-Texas) and Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.); and former Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), who resigned to become president and CEO of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce.

From The Epoch Times

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