Gabe Vasquez

SANTA FE — In a New Mexico race that could determine political control over the U.S. House for the next two years, both candidates are trying to make public safety a cornerstone of their campaigns.

With the November general election less than four months away, incumbent Democrat Gabe Vasquez has touted his track record in Congress over the last three-plus years, including his ability to secure federal funding for law enforcement facilities.

That includes more than $1 million for improvements to Albuquerque’s Real Time Crime Center, along with additional money to help renovate the Carlsbad Police Department.

“I have worked very well with many Republicans in Congress to bring home important projects, and really focused on projects that have an impact on New Mexico,” Vasquez said in a recent interview.

But his opponent in the 2nd Congressional District race, Republican Greg Cunningham of Albuquerque, said many New Mexicans remain concerned about high violent crime rates and rampant fentanyl use around the state.

He has also prominently touted — both in fundraising appeals and campaign appearances — his own background as an Albuquerque police detective who infiltrated drug cartels.

“I dedicated my life to public safety and New Mexico,” Cunningham told the Journal.

Cunningham’s campaign has also seized on past social media comments by Vasquez calling for the criminal justice system to be overhauled, with the GOP nominee calling the two candidates stark opposites when it comes to their stances on law enforcement.

“I think viewpoints like that — that’s in your DNA,” Cunningham said.

However, Vasquez pointed out he has introduced legislation in the U.S. House to tackle the presence of drug cartels in schools in the border region. He also filed a bipartisan measure in 2024 aimed at reducing the flow of fentanyl across the border.

While neither of those bills ultimately won approval, Vasquez has continued to meet with local law enforcement officials and joined Sunland Park Police Chief Kiri Daines for a ride-along near the U.S.-Mexico border this week.

Meanwhile, the two candidates have both landed public safety-related endorsements. Cunningham has the backing of the Albuquerque Police Officers’ Association and several local sheriffs, while Vasquez was recently endorsed by labor unions representing firefighters and Transportation Security Administration, or TSA, agents in New Mexico.

New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District has been a key swing seat for several election cycles, even after being redrawn by the Legislature during redistricting in 2021. Under the current map, the district stretches from Las Cruces north into Albuquerque's South Valley and includes much of the Oil Patch in southeast New Mexico. It also encompasses New Mexico’s roughly 180-mile border with Mexico.

The race for the seat is expected to be competitive again this year, as President Donald Trump endorsed Cunningham in April. A Republican political committee aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnson has also announced a planned TV ad blitz in the district, along with other hotly contested districts around the country.

Cunningham ran unsuccessfully for a West Side Albuquerque state House seat in 2022 and 2024, but said his ties to the community could give him an advantage against Vasquez, who is a former Las Cruces city councilor.

“The candidate that wins Albuquerque is going to have a very, very strong chance of winning CD2,” he told the Journal.

He also said he expects Trump and national Republicans to play an active role in the race, saying the outcome of the contest could determine whether the GOP holds its narrow majority in the U.S. House through 2028.

“They know they have a fight on their hands,” Cunningham said, referring to the incumbent Democrat’s campaign.

For his part, Vasquez largely agrees with his opponent about the high stakes of this year’s race. But he expressed confidence about winning reelection to a third term this year, after defeating Republican Yvette Herrell in both 2022 and 2024.

“I think the Democratic House majority runs through New Mexico’s 2nd District,” Vasquez said. “It’s always been an important district.”

Dan Boyd covers state government and politics for the Journal in Santa Fe. Follow him on Twitter at @DanBoydNM or reach him via email at [email protected].