Gabe Vasquez, NM Congressional candidate for the Second Congressional District. (Courtesy Gabe Vasquez)
Copyright © 2021
SANTA FE – Las Cruces city councilor Gabe Vasquez said Tuesday that he will run for next year’s congressional seat in southern New Mexico, which is currently held by US MP Yvette Herrell.
Vasquez, 37, a former advisor to US Senator Martin Heinrich and executive director of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Las Cruces, planned to officially announce his campaign on Wednesday. He aims to become only the second Democrat to have held the conservative seat of the second congressional district since 2011.
He said his priorities in the event of an election would include changes to federal immigration laws, tackling climate change by phasing out fossil fuels, defending electoral rights and seeking higher wages for workers.
Vasquez, who has his roots in Mexico and was born the first member of his family in the United States, said the American dream is becoming increasingly difficult for many low-income residents to achieve.
“Our economy is more successful when it’s fairer,” he told the Journal.
He also said his previous work in both the private and public sectors – including serving as a councilor since 2017 – has enabled him to develop relationships with local leaders in southern New Mexico.
Among other things, Vasquez highlighted his efforts to establish the New Mexico Outdoor Equity Fund, a grant program launched in 2019 to help children from low-income families participate in outdoor programs.
Whoever wins the Democratic primary election in June will have to face a tough election campaign in November 2022 against Herrell, a Republican who claims to have more than $ 698,000 in her campaign account as of June 30th.
The last Democrat to win the district elections was Xochitl Torres Small of Las Cruces, who defeated Herrell in an incumbent race in 2018 because Republican Steve Pearce dropped a possible re-election bid to run for governor.
Herrell then defeated Torres Small in a rematch in 2020 in what was one of the most expensive Congressional races in the nation, with total spending of around $ 35 million, a number that includes political spending from both the candidates and outside groups .
In an interview, Vasquez named Herrell a divisive figure who has not responded to the needs of the district’s residents since taking office in January.
“I think Rep. Herrell is too busy playing party politics in Washington DC,” said Vasquez.
The 2nd Congressional District encompasses all of southern New Mexico – including Las Cruces and the state’s oil field – and extends north into Valencia County and parts of Bernalillo County, including Isleta Pueblo.
However, the borough’s boundaries are expected to be adjusted when the legislature meets later this year to redistribute it once a decade.
Vasquez, who is not seeking re-election for his council seat this year, said he decided to launch his campaign in Congress before the political lines are redrawn.
“I think it’s an absolutely win-win district for a Democrat,” he said.
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