Exclusive Nella Domenici is breaking records as she seeks to become the first Republican to win a New Mexico Senate election in more than two decades.
Domenici’s campaign reported that the candidate raised $2.9 million from April to June in the second quarter of 2024, which it said was “the largest quarterly fundraising by a U.S. Senate candidate in the history of New Mexico politics.”
The money was raised by Senator Domenici’s campaign and its associated joint fundraising committee. The figures were first shared with Fox News on Friday.
It was the first time in 22 years that a Republican had won in the once-battleground, now-Democratic state — the last time a Republican politician did so was Sen. Pete Domenici, Nera’s father, who was re-elected to a sixth, six-year term in 2002.
Daughter of New Mexico’s last Republican senator runs for her father’s old seat
Republican Senate candidate Nella Domenici campaigned in Carlsbad, New Mexico on May 14, 2024. (Domenici camp)
Fast forward to now, and his daughter is looking to end the losing streak.
“Momentum is growing, the movement is evolving, and our state is ready for new leadership,” the candidates said in a statement. “New Mexico is at a turning point, and I am grateful to all those who are rallying together in our movement to demand more for our state and nation.”
The candidate’s total is more than double the $1.25 he raised in fundraising in the first quarter of 2024. Domenici’s campaign said he had more than $2 million in cash on hand as of July.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Domenici is using 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 raised $1.5 million in the first three months of the year, but has yet to announce funding for the second quarter.
Senator Martin Heinrich (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images/File)
In competing with Heinrich, Mr. Domenici also touts his own background: He was chief financial officer at Bridgewater Associates and has decades of experience in finance 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.
Heinrich won reelection by more than 30 points in 2018, when the state was Democratic. President Biden won the state by 10 points in 2020.
But with growing confusion surrounding Biden following his dismal performance in last month’s debate with former President Trump and calls from within his own party for the president to not seek reelection, Republicans see an opportunity to expand their base in New Mexico and several other states.
Internal Democratic polling conducted after the debate suggested the political situation in New Mexico has toughened.
Catch up on the latest 2024 election campaign updates, exclusive interviews and more on Fox News.
