Steve Pearce, left, and Tom Udall
Republican: Steve Pearce (Representative)
Democrat: Tom Udall (Representative)
Six term Senator Pete Domenici is retiring for health reasons (though he has also been linked to the U.S. Attorneys firings scandal), and the open seat has attracted the state's entire House delegation. Republicans have nominated Steve Pearce, the 2nd district congressman, over his 1st district counterpart Heather Wilson. Pearce, a consistent conservative who has been in the House for four terms, is facing Democrat Tom Udall, the third member of New Mexico's House delegation and known for his strong liberal record, especially on the environment and civil liberties. Udall (whose first cousin Mark is running for the open Senate seat in Colorado) has focused his campaign on the economy and tying Pearce to President Bush, and he leads Pearce by almost 20%.
2004 Presidential Vote: Bush 50%, Kerry 49%
- James Downie and Marti Covington/Washington