America's Voice

RESULT: Harry Teague (D) 55% - Ed Tinsley (R) 45%

The Race:

After U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-NM, won both his House re-election campaigns by almost 20% margins, he chose to vacate his seat and run for the Senate in 2008. Ed Tinsley, a Capitan rancher who owns the K-Bob’s restaurant chain, “won a five-way GOP primary in June to face off against Democrat Harry Teague of Hobbs in the Nov. 4 general election.” [AP, 8/28/08] Due to Teague’s oil wealth and Tinsley’s business wealth, the race has become highly competitive. [AP, 6/9/08] According to the AP, both candidates use the word “comprehensive” when talking about their immigration platforms, but Tinsley is opposed to a path to citizenship for undocumented workers and Teague supports it. [AP, 6/5/08] New Mexico’s 2nd District has the largest population of Hispanics in New Mexico, but the majority is ineligible to vote. NAFTA, immigration, and drug trafficking are all key issues in the District due to its shared border with Mexico. [National Journal Almanac, 3/21/08; AP, 4/15/08]