The battle for the Senate in New Mexico has officially begun, marking the first Republican victory in 22 years in what is expected to be a tightly contested battleground state that now holds Democratic sway.
The last Republican politician to win was Senator Pete Domenici, who was re-elected to a sixth two-year term in 2006.
Twenty-two years later, his daughter, businesswoman Nella Domenici, is looking to end the losing streak.
The Associated Press projects Domenici to win Tuesday’s Republican Senate primary in New Mexico.
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Nella Domenici is running for U.S. Senate in New Mexico. Her late father, former Senator Pete Domenici (RN.M), was photographed with President George W. Bush during a visit to Roswell on January 22, 2004, before addressing law enforcement officials and cadets from the New Mexico Military Academy. (Handouts)
Domenici, who is backed by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Republican Senate campaign arm, is the only major candidate in the primary.
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Domenici will use his strong political brand and deep name recognition in New Mexico to challenge Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich, who is running for a third six-year term in November. Heinrich did not face any significant opposition in Tuesday’s primary.
Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-New Mexico) listens during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on federal electric vehicle incentives on Jan. 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images)
Daughter of New Mexico’s last Republican senator runs for her father’s old seat
Domenici also shared his background, bringing with him decades of experience in finance from Bridgewater Associates, where he served as chief financial officer, and also worked at Credit Suisse and Citadel Investment Group.
Once a battleground state in the general election, New Mexico has shifted left in recent years and is no longer considered a key battleground state.
President Biden won the state by 10 points in 2020.
Moreover, Heinrich won reelection in 2018 by more than 30 points, a time when Democrats dominated the state.
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