Who's running in New Mexico's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Gabe Vasquez currently holds this seat
High confidenceHigh confidenceBacked by government records or the candidate's own official statements, with agreement across several independent sources.What would raise it: Nothing missing — this is the strongest evidence tier.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Holding the administration accountable for the cost of living, including cracking down on out-of-state corporate landlords.
Opposing cuts to Medicaid and SNAP.
Protecting public lands; he founded the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus.
Funding law enforcement and public safety; he says he has invested more than $3 million in it.
A 'real plan for immigration reform' and working with Republicans on border security and cartels.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for New Mexico's 2nd District since January 2023; won 50.3% in 2022 and 52.1% in 2024.
Former Las Cruces city councilor.
Unopposed on the June 2, 2026 Democratic primary ballot.
Had raised $3.78 million as of June 30, 2026, per Ballotpedia.
Arguments in favor
'Gabe Vasquez is a proven, bipartisan leader focused on what matters most to New Mexico families – lowering costs, fighting for affordable health care, and leading the way on border security and public safety.'
— DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene
When House Republicans pushed to sell off protected public lands, Vasquez set up the bipartisan Public Lands Caucus and led the effort to stop them; he was one of just 13 House Democrats to win a Trump-carried district in 2024.
— DCCC, 'The Case Against Greg Cunningham'
Arguments against
Vasquez has a 'high tax, defund the police, open borders agenda'; he was 'rebuked by the New Mexico Fraternal Order of Police', voted against no-tax-on-tips policies and voted against expanded radiation exposure compensation funding.
— NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson and NRCC
What we couldn’t verify
The NRCC's characterisations of Vasquez's votes on tips taxes and radiation exposure compensation were not checked against roll calls in a loaded source.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed from a loaded page.
'Commonsense solutions shaped by New Mexicans, for New Mexicans.'
Conservative values and faith as a guide.
Law enforcement experience applied to 'chasing down the cartels.'
Advancing the president's agenda, which he has called his 'number one priority', per the DCCC.
Ending abortion; he signed a 2022 Abortion Free New Mexico pledge, per the DCCC and The Advocate.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office; Republican nominee for New Mexico House District 29 in 2022 and 2024.
Won the June 2, 2026 Republican primary with about 84%.
Had raised $1.51 million as of June 30, 2026, per Ballotpedia.
Endorsed by President Trump in April 2026; named to the NRCC's MAGA Majority program.
Arguments in favor
Cunningham is a 'Marine Corps veteran, 20-year Albuquerque police officer' who 'will give them the representation they deserve', and Democrats' attacks on him were 'blatantly false' and rebuffed by a local news fact-check.
— NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson and NRCC
President Trump endorsed Cunningham in April 2026.
— President Donald Trump (Organ Mountain News)
Arguments against
Cunningham is 'another rubber stamp for an extreme agenda that's crushing New Mexico' and 'an untrustworthy, twice-failed politician' handpicked by Yvette Herrell.
— DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene and DCCC
Cunningham used New Mexico's disabled-veteran property tax exemption on his Albuquerque home while also buying an Arizona home designated as his primary residence, raising residency and ethics questions; he says the Albuquerque home has always been his primary residence.
— DCCC, citing New Mexico Political Report reporting
What we couldn’t verify
The New Mexico Political Report article on his Arizona home and the local fact-check the NRCC cites could not be loaded directly.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is New Mexico's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the districts the Legislature drew in 2021, which the New Mexico Supreme Court upheld against a Republican partisan gerrymandering challenge to this district, remain in use, and no 2026 redraw or pending congressional map case was found. Primaries were held June 2, 2026. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia, Politics1 and Organ Mountain News: Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez, unopposed after a primary challenger was disqualified, and Republican Greg Cunningham, who won about 84% over Jose Orozco, who had withdrawn but stayed on the ballot. No minor-party or independent candidate was found on the November ballot; the Secretary of State's general election candidate list could not be loaded to confirm that. The district covers southern and western New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Carlsbad, Alamogordo and Albuquerque's southwest side. Vasquez won 52.1% in 2024 while President Trump carried the district. A debate is scheduled for October 16. The candidate order here follows the published candidate listings, with the incumbent first; it is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New Mexico ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New Mexico Secretary of State.