Commentary: U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the 2020 election results:
“While states are making sure all the votes are counted – as they must – it looks like the voters have decided to turn the page and restore leadership and decency to the highest levels of our government. In New Mexico, voters spoke up resoundingly, delivering our electoral votes to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, knowing that Vice President Biden and Senator Harris will fight for us – with leadership to defeat this virus, rebuild our economy, address the accelerating environmental crises, and heal this nation. It’s clear that this message resonated with voters across the Southwest.
“New Mexicans have chosen a new senator in Ben Ray Luján who embodies our state’s values – who will fight every single day for New Mexico families, for our communities, for our lands and clean air and clean water, for our health care and prosperity. I couldn’t be more thrilled with who New Mexico chose to fill this Senate seat. New Mexicans also re-elected Congresswoman Deb Haaland, an essential voice in the Congress and a champion for working families, our environment, and Native communities. Voters sent an exciting new leader in Teresa Leger Fernandez to Congress, and I am confident she will be an outstanding U.S. Representative. New Mexicans are electing leaders who reflect the diversity and vibrancy of our great state, and it is a time to be hopeful about what comes next.
“And regardless of the final outcome, I want to say that Xochitl Torres Small is a public servant of the highest order. She serves New Mexico’s 2nd congressional district with endless dedication and effectiveness, and she ran an absolutely stellar campaign focused on the issues that matter to New Mexicans. I know that Xochitl’s future is beyond bright.
“Let me be clear: in a democracy, the election is not over until every vote has been counted – no matter what misinformation the president spews or lawsuits he files as he desperately tries to cling to power. Furthermore, despite the president’s threats, if we simply stopped counting the ballots right now, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris would be the winners. We must count every vote in every state — regardless of who is ahead or behind. Donald Trump doesn’t get to pick whose votes count. This is the foundation of our democracy, and we must let it work.”