United States Senate election in New Mexico, 2008
Encyclopedia
The 2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico was held on November 4, 2008. Incumbent Republican
U.S. Senator
Pete Domenici
decided to retire instead of seeking a seventh term. All three of New Mexico's U.S. Representatives (Tom Udall
, Steve Pearce
, and Heather Wilson
) chose to retire from the U.S. House of Representatives in order to run for the seat. Pearce defeated Wilson in the Republican primary. Udall won the Democratic primary unopposed and won the general election.
In October Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez
entered the race for the Democratic nomination. In early November five-term Democratic Rep. Tom Udall
entered the race. On December 7 Chavez withdrew from the race, saying "While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election."
changed the rating of the election from 'No Clear Favorite' to 'Leans Democratic' citing polls. In June, Senator John Ensign of Nevada, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, considered New Mexico to be one of the top ten most competitive Senate races. At the end of August, The Cook Political Report rated the race as 'Lean Democratic'. At the end of September, The Rothenberg Political Report
rated the race 'Likely Takeover'.
. This may have affected Wilson's chances in the 2008 election.
In late October Pearce made 130,000 automated phone calls, which led Wilson to "cry foul." At issue was Pearce's use of the phone calls to justify his opposition to the State Children's Health Insurance Program
(SCHIP) bill. The Wilson campaign claimed that "Pearce violated House ethics by urging those he called to contact him through his official, non-campaign phone number or check out his official, non-campaign Web site."
(NRSC) attempted to defend 23 Senate seats up for election in November. Committee chair Senator John Ensign
identified the 10 most competitive Republican seats in June 2008. He was asked about the two Republican seats most likely to turn Democratic, Virginia and New Mexico. Ensign did not directly say whether the NRSC was considering walking away to work on other seats that can be won, but he said, "You don’t waste money on races that don’t need it or you can’t win.”
Udall raised more than $801,000 prior to November 29. Wilson had slightly less, including a November Washington fundraiser with Vice President Dick Cheney
that netted $110,000, bringing her total to about $750,000.
, October 18 on KRQE
and October 26 on KOAT-TV
. The AARP
will co-sponsor the second debate and the Albuquerque Journal
will co-sponsor the final debate. They will also appear together on Meet the Press
in the fall.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Pete Domenici
Pete Domenici
Pietro Vichi "Pete" Domenici is an American Republican politician, who served six terms as a United States Senator from New Mexico, from 1973 to 2009, the longest tenure in the state's history....
decided to retire instead of seeking a seventh term. All three of New Mexico's U.S. Representatives (Tom Udall
Tom Udall
Thomas Stewart "Tom" Udall is the junior United States Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party. He had represented as a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. Udall was elected as the junior United States senator from New Mexico on November 4, 2008,...
, Steve Pearce
Steve Pearce
Stevan Edward "Steve" Pearce is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Minority Whip.-Early life, education and career:...
, and Heather Wilson
Heather Wilson
Heather A. Wilson , is a former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives representing from 1998 to 2009...
) chose to retire from the U.S. House of Representatives in order to run for the seat. Pearce defeated Wilson in the Republican primary. Udall won the Democratic primary unopposed and won the general election.
Background
In February 2007 Domenici indicated his intention to run for re-election. By October 2007, he changed his mind, stating that because of the progression of a medical condition, he would not seek a seventh term. Domenici also lost his chairmanship after Republicans lost control of the Senate in the 2006 Senate election, which may have inclined him against running. On June 3, 2008 Pearce and Udall won their respective nomination contests.Campaign
After Domenici announced he was not running, Democratic Governor Bill Richardson was considered a leading candidate for the seat, but in October he affirmed his commitment to his presidential nomination campaign.In October Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez
Martin Chavez
Martin Joseph Chávez Chávez is a former three-term mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico and New Mexico State Senator. He currently serves as the Executive Director of ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability USA. and Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Center for Green Schools at U.S. Green...
entered the race for the Democratic nomination. In early November five-term Democratic Rep. Tom Udall
Tom Udall
Thomas Stewart "Tom" Udall is the junior United States Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party. He had represented as a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. Udall was elected as the junior United States senator from New Mexico on November 4, 2008,...
entered the race. On December 7 Chavez withdrew from the race, saying "While I deeply appreciate all the support I have received, it has become very clear to me that Democrats should not be divided in the upcoming election."
Results
Polling
| Source | Date | Pearce (R) | Wilson (R) |
|---|---|---|---|
| SurveyUSA | May 15, 2008 | 49% | 46% |
| SurveyUSA | November 16–18, 2007 | 37% | 56% |
Results
Candidates
- Tom UdallTom UdallThomas Stewart "Tom" Udall is the junior United States Senator from New Mexico and a member of the Democratic Party. He had represented as a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1999. Udall was elected as the junior United States senator from New Mexico on November 4, 2008,...
(D), U.S. Congressman from 1999–present (campaign website) - Steve PearceSteve PearceStevan Edward "Steve" Pearce is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously held the seat from 2003 to 2009 and was an Assistant Minority Whip.-Early life, education and career:...
, U.S. Congressman from 2003–present (campaign website)
Predictions
In February 2008 CQ PoliticsCongressional Quarterly
Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
changed the rating of the election from 'No Clear Favorite' to 'Leans Democratic' citing polls. In June, Senator John Ensign of Nevada, the chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, considered New Mexico to be one of the top ten most competitive Senate races. At the end of August, The Cook Political Report rated the race as 'Lean Democratic'. At the end of September, The Rothenberg Political Report
Stuart Rothenberg
Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report...
rated the race 'Likely Takeover'.
Controversy
Domenici and Wilson are both being investigated by the Senate for their roles in the dismissal of prosecutor David IglesiasDavid Iglesias (attorney)
David Claudio Iglesias is an American attorney from Albuquerque, New Mexico.He was appointed by President George W. Bush as the United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico in August 2001 and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in October 2001. He served for 6 years. He was one of eight U.S...
. This may have affected Wilson's chances in the 2008 election.
In late October Pearce made 130,000 automated phone calls, which led Wilson to "cry foul." At issue was Pearce's use of the phone calls to justify his opposition to the State Children's Health Insurance Program
State Children's Health Insurance Program
The State Children's Health Insurance Program – later known more simply as the Children's Health Insurance Program – is a program administered by the United States Department of Health and Human Services that provides matching funds to states for health insurance to families with children...
(SCHIP) bill. The Wilson campaign claimed that "Pearce violated House ethics by urging those he called to contact him through his official, non-campaign phone number or check out his official, non-campaign Web site."
Finances
The National Republican Senatorial CommitteeNational Republican Senatorial Committee
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the Republican Hill committee for the United States Senate, working to elect Republicans to that body. The NRSC was founded in 1916 as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee...
(NRSC) attempted to defend 23 Senate seats up for election in November. Committee chair Senator John Ensign
John Ensign
John Eric Ensign is a former United States Senator from Nevada, serving from January 2001 until he resigned amid an investigation of an ethics violation in May 2011...
identified the 10 most competitive Republican seats in June 2008. He was asked about the two Republican seats most likely to turn Democratic, Virginia and New Mexico. Ensign did not directly say whether the NRSC was considering walking away to work on other seats that can be won, but he said, "You don’t waste money on races that don’t need it or you can’t win.”
Udall raised more than $801,000 prior to November 29. Wilson had slightly less, including a November Washington fundraiser with Vice President Dick Cheney
Dick Cheney
Richard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
that netted $110,000, bringing her total to about $750,000.
Debates
The candidates have agreed to three televised debates: October 15 on KOB-TVKOB-TV
KOB, virtual channel 4 , is an NBC-affiliate television station based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, owned by Hubbard Broadcasting. Its transmitter is located on Sandia Crest, east of Albuquerque...
, October 18 on KRQE
KRQE
KRQE, digital channel 13, is the CBS-affiliated television station serving the Albuquerque, New Mexico television market; the station is owned by LIN TV Corporation and is sister station to Fox affiliate KASA-TV...
and October 26 on KOAT-TV
KOAT-TV
KOAT-TV, channel 7, is an ABC network affiliated television station serving Albuquerque, New Mexico. Its transmitter is located on Sandia Crest, northeast of Albuquerque. Syndicated programming on KOAT includes: Entertainment Tonight, Ellen, The Dr...
. The AARP
AARP
AARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a...
will co-sponsor the second debate and the Albuquerque Journal
Albuquerque Journal
-History:Its earliest predecessor, the Albuquerque Daily Journal, was first published on October 14, 1880. The newspaper is owned by the Journal Publishing Company, a family-owned business headed by president/publisher T.H. Lang; it is operated by the Albuquerque Publishing Company...
will co-sponsor the final debate. They will also appear together on Meet the Press
Meet the Press
Meet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. It is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history, despite bearing little resemblance to the original format of the program seen in its television debut on November 6, 1947. It has been...
in the fall.
Polling
Pearce (R) v Udall (D)| Source | Date | Pearce (R) | Udall (D) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survey USA | October 31, 2008 | 42% | 56% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 28, 2008 | 41% | 56% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 13, 2008 | 37% | 57% |
| Survey USA | October 13, 2008 | 40% | 58% |
| Rasmussen Reports | October 1, 2008 | 41% | 55% |
| Survey USA | September 29–30, 2008 | 39% | 58% |
| Public Policy Polling | September 19, 2008 | 37% | 57% |
| Survey USA | September 16, 2008 | 41% | 56% |
| Rasmussen Reports | September 8, 2008 | 44% | 51% |
| Rasmussen Reports | August 20, 2008 | 44% | 52% |
| Rasmussen Reports | July 24, 2008 | 35% | 61% |
| SurveyUSA | May 15, 2008 | 36% | 60% |
| Rasmussen Reports | May 14, 2008 | 37% | 53% |
| Rasmussen Reports | April 10, 2008 | 40% | 54% |
| Rasmussen Reports | February 29, 2008 | 42% | 50% |
| New Mexico State University | February 11, 2008 | 31% | 53% |
| SurveyUSA | November 16–18, 2007 | 40% | 54% |
| Research 2000 | November 5–7, 2007 | 37% | 54% |
| SurveyUSA | October 27–30, 2007 | 40% | 56% |
| Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin & Associates | October 23–27, 2007 | 33% | 50% |
| SurveyUSA | October 5–7, 2007 | 37% | 55% |
Results
External links
- Elections from the New Mexico Secretary of State
- U.S. Congress candidates for New Mexico at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- New Mexico, U.S. Senate from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- New Mexico U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
- New Mexico U.S. Senate race from 2008 Race Tracker
- Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets.orgCenter for Responsive PoliticsThe Center for Responsive Politics is a non-profit, nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. that tracks money in politics and the effect of money and lobbying activity on elections and public policy and maintains a public online database of its information.Their database...
- Pearce (R) vs Udall (D) graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Official campaign websites
- People for Pearce, Republican candidate
- Tom Udall for Senate, Democratic candidate