Commentary: This morning, Xochitl Torres Small, Democratic candidate for the open seat in New Mexico’s 2ndcongressional district, water attorney, and former Field Representative for Sen. Tom Udall, announced that her campaign had raised over $615,000 in the second quarter of 2018. This marks the third straight financial reporting period in which Torres Small has shown her campaign’s strength. In the first quarter of this year and in the pre-primary reporting period, Torres Small outraised her Republican opponent, Rep. Yvette Herrell, by more than two-to-one. After announcing her candidacy in mid-January, Torres Small has also earned major endorsements from Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Tom Udall, Sen. Martin Heinrich, New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas, CHC-BOLD PAC, and EMILY’s List.
“Southern New Mexicans have a clear choice in this November’s election,” said Torres Small. “As I travel this district, I am encouraged and motivated by the overwhelming number of people who want change. Voters are showing up because they want a representative who will fight to improve our quality of life — by increasing access to healthcare, achieving quality education everywhere in the district, creating good jobs, and supporting our rural communities and our way of life. I am ready to take these issues on and be a strong voice for southern New Mexico in Congress.”
The race for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional is becoming increasingly competitive by the day, recent public polling shows Torres Small and Yvette Herrell within the margin of error (43% Torres Small/45% Herrell). The race has been moved by Inside Elections, CNN, and Cook Political Report in favor of the Democrats. Cook Political Report recently stated: “Democrats are rapidly consolidating behind charismatic Las Cruces water rights attorney Xochitl Torres Small, who has the potential to be a star. Torres Small, 33, grew up in Las Cruces, graduated from Georgetown and UNM Law School, and became Sen. Tom Udall's regional point person. She's well-connected with Las Cruces's liberal activists but owns guns and will talk about her enthusiasm for oryx hunting and butchering chickens.”