NM-Sen: CQ Politics Rates Race in Top Five Takeover Chances

Our U.S. Senate race between Dem Rep. Tom Udall and GOP Rep. Steve Pearce continues to get national attention. Bob Benenson of CQ Politics considers the race among the in the nation for a Dem pickup:

New Mexico, a swing state, where six-term Republican Pete V. Domenici’s decision not to seek re-election has created a golden opportunity for a Democratic takeover. Five-term Rep. Tom Udall, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination, has opened up a big lead in polls over the Republican nominee, strongly conservative three-term Republican Rep. Steve Pearce. Pearce won a narrow victory in the June 3 primary over the state’s third House member, Heather A. Wilson, whose image as a less-hardline conservative than Pearce led some GOP strategists to view her as potentially a stronger contender against Udall. Running in a state that is split very evenly between the parties, Pearce is staking his hopes on persuading voters that Udall’s House record is too liberal. This race is rated Leans Democratic, which means Udall has an edge in a contest that still is highly competitive.

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