2014 Election Summary
During the 2014 General Election, held on November 4th, there were elections for federal and statewide office, all 70 state House seats, various state and local judgeships, numerous county and municipal elections, and many bond issues and constitutional amendments. Of particular importance to NMSU were the races for US Senate, Governor, all 70 state House contests, and several bond issues. None of the 42 state Senate seats are up for reelection this year as those seats run on a 4 year cycle.
Legislature
2014 is historic as Republicans gained control of the state House of Representatives for the first time in 60 years. Republicans flipped a total of 6 seats versus the Democrats 1 seat to obtain a 4 seat majority of 37 to 33. Of the 6 seats that flipped 3 included Doña Ana County while the other 3 included parts of the Albuquerque metro area.
In Doña Ana County, state Representative Phillip Archuleta-D was defeated by former state Representative Andy Nunez-R, and former state Representative Rick Little-R regained his old seat by beating Mariela Johnson-D. Incumbent Representative Rudy Martinez-D, whose district includes northwest Doña Ana County, lost to John Zimmerman-R.
Bernalillo County incumbent state Representatives Elizabeth Thompson-D and Emily Kane-D were beaten by former state Representative Conrad James-R and Sarah Maestas Barnes-R respectively. State Representative Vicki Perea-R, whose district includes Bernalillo, Valencia, Santa Fe, and Torrance was defeated by Steve McQueen-D.
Of the 70 state House Districts up for election, 34 were being contested; and of the 36 non-contested state House races 21 are Democrat and 15 were Republican. There will be 15 freshmen legislators (8 Democrats and 7 Republicans) and 3 former legislators returning to the chamber.
A total of 17 incumbents are not returning to the state House 10 of which did not run for reelection, 2 were defeated in the primary, and 5 lost in the general election. One member defeated in the primary was longtime Dona Ana County legislator Mary Helen Garcia.
Leadership makeup for both parties has yet to be decided, but it is safe to say the Republicans will control the Speaker’s gavel.
United States Senate
Senator Tom Udall (D) beat Allan Weh (R) and he will now enter his second 6 year term as the senior senator from New Mexico. Senator Martin Heinrich will be up for reelection in 2018.
Governor
Governor Susana Martinez (R) defeated New Mexico Attorney General Gary King (D), 57.34% to 42.66%. Governor Martinez garnered 288,478, the second most votes of any candidate on the ballot; only Attorney General Elect Hector Balderas received more votes with 288,495.
Notable Races
State Senate Whip Tim Keller-D won the election for State Auditor. The vacant seat lies entirely within Bernalillo County, thus the county commission will appoint a replacement to fill out the remaining 2 years left to serve.
The contest for State Land Commissioner between Aubrey Dunn-R and current State Land Commissioner, Ray Powell-D, is currently separated by .46%. Depending on the results of a final statewide canvas, an automatic recount could be triggered if the margin of victory is less than one half of one percent (.5%).
General Obligation Bonds B and C
General Obligation Bond C passed with 59.80% voting in favor. In Doña Ana County, it passed 56.57% for and 43.43% against. It also passed in McKinley County, 71.43% for, 28.57% against, in Eddy County 54.44% for, 45.56% against. It did not pass in Otero County, 49.93% for, 50.47% against. GOB B passed statewide 62.94% for and 37.06% against. In Doña Ana County it passed 58.9% for and 41.1% against.