No Contest in NM Senate Race as Popular Democrat Tom Udall Holds Huge Lead

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Republicans hoping to retake control of the U.S. Senate can scratch the New Mexico race off their list of potential pick-up opportunities. Democratic Senator Tom Udall is wildly popular in the Land of Enchantment, sporting a lopsided 52-33 approval rating according to the latest Public Policy Polling (PPP) survey. The survey of 674 registered voters, conducted from March 20th to the 23rd, should serve as a reality check to any GOP strategists who harbored illusions about defeating Udall.

Senator Udall enjoys a 53-33 advantage when paired against Republican Allen Weh. He holds an even larger 55-33 lead over Republican David Clements. As Republicans look to a path to picking up the six seats they need to regain control of Congress’ upper chamber, it has become increasingly clear that the path will not run through New Mexico. The state has long been considered a pivotal swing state, but it has moved towards being a solidly blue state over the last decade. George W. Bush carried New Mexico in the 2004 presidential election, but in 2008 and 2012, Barack Obama won the state by double digits. Obama’s back to back convincing victories in New Mexico underscore how badly the Republicans have fallen out of favor in the Southwest. Nevada and New Mexico have gone blue, and Arizona is trending blue as well.

Udall’s strength in New Mexico demonstrates the GOP’s continuing weakness in the Southwest. That weakness creates a challenge for Republicans as they seek to become a majority party in the Senate, without much support in a region that was once strong for them. Hispanic voters in the region pose a particular problem for the Republicans. Udall leads Weh 62-24 and he leads Clements 63-28 with Hispanic voters.  Republicans trying to appeal to a shrinking xenophobic white base in the Southwest, have doomed their chances of staying competitive in the Senate race to unseat Democratic Senator Tom Udall. The latest Public Policy Polling survey simply confirms how badly the GOP candidates fare in a head to head match-up with the popular Senator. The race is no contest. Democrat Tom Udall is almost certain to cruise to victory against whichever hapless Republican opponent he faces.

Keith Brekhus

Keith Brekhus is a progressive American who currently resides in Red Lodge, Montana. He is co-host for the Liberal Fix radio show. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri. In 2002, he ran for Congress as a Green Party candidate in the state of Missouri. In 2014, he worked as a field organizer for Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick’s successful re-election bid in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. He can be followed on Twitter @keithbrekhus or on Facebook.