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| Cunningham and Vasquez |
(Full KRQE debate here starting at 1:09.)
Like a hurricane suddenly growing from a Category 1 to a Category 5, inflation, the war in Iran, and Trump's policies regarding both have swept over the nation and sent the GOP reeling. Rather than trying to dig out of that deep hole, Cunningham did his best to deflect (or ignore) Dem. Rep. Gabe Vasquez's continuous attacks on the administration and attempted to score points on crime and other localized issues. It was an uphill battle.
--Pressed repeatedly on whether he supported the war in Iran, Cunningham said he did not support Iran having a nuclear weapon and that he supported the troops—a non-answer—while Vasquez emphasized that he has voted six times against the unpopular war that has sent energy prices soaring.
--Cunningham's attempt to rattle Vasquez over his "no" vote on a bill to compensate Trinity Site "downwinders," met with the response that he has the support of the downwinders' coalition, headed by Tina Cordova, and that he voted against the measure because it was part of a bill containing GOP culture-war policy riders.
--Cunningham, 60, a retired APD narcotics detective, pressed hard on the now-notorious 2020 video showing Vasquez, then a Las Cruces city councilor, wearing a disguise at a protest and calling to defund the police. That video has been rolled out in each of Vasquez's two previous election bids for the 2nd Congressional District and remains the centerpiece of the GOP effort. Cunningham prosecuted the matter effectively, forcing Vasquez to admit he was indeed the masked person in the video. The problem? Vasquez, 42, has repeatedly voted over four years for funding and other measures supportive of law enforcement--and he's gathered the endorsements of sheriffs across the district.
Trailing Vasquez 48 to 44 percent in this month's ABQ Journal poll, Cunningham simply could not break through the dense fog of the Iran war and the resulting affordability crisis surrounding Republican candidates in contested districts. In the Albuquerque-area 1st Congressional District, Republican candidate Didi Okpareke threw Trump overboard on the war. That was not an option for Cunningham, whose base voters on the rural east side remain supportive of Trump. That dynamic put him between a rock and a hard place.
Cunningham's calm, collected, and mature demeanor served him well during the one-hour confrontation, and he may have put to rest fears that he is a raging MAGA minion. However, he simply lacked the ammunition to take down the two-term incumbent. Vasquez, perceived as weak since his first run for the seat in 2022, has grown into the role and appears more sure-footed and confident. Cunningham and the Republicans have put up a good fight, but you can't outrun a hurricane.
UPFRONT AND PERSONAL
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| Nikki Santos |
During their Friday night television debate, candidates were asked to share a positive attribute about their opponent. Republican challenger Cunningham, a combat Marine, former APD detective, and father of six, offered up surprising news: Democratic U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is about to become a father for the first time. Vasquez thanked Cunningham for the recognition but did not elaborate.
While Vasquez is single, his campaign confirmed earlier this year that he is in a “loving, committed relationship with his partner and fiancée" Nikki Santos, a former Biden administration appointee and member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, was recently named CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. The release announcing her appointment said: "She lives in Washington, D.C., with her daughter, partner, and two dogs."
When it was his turn, Vasquez commended Cunningham for his long-standing dedication to public service.
The father-to-be disclosure follows another recent revelation regarding Democratic U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury who has maintained strict privacy regarding her personal life. But at her recent debate voters learned that Stansbury is now married to the brother of Democratic state Rep. Andrea Romero making Stansbury Romero's sister-in-law.
When Stansbury’s Republican opponent, Dede Oparake, brought up the relationship during the debate, Stansbury neither confirmed her marriage nor her connection to Romero—who chairs the state’s Truth Commission investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. However, Stansbury did not dispute the claims.
Personal details vary across the rest of the state's congressional delegation:
U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D): Divorced with three sons who have been featured in her campaign ads.
U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D): Married with two college-aged sons who are not in the spotlight.
U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D): Single. On the campaign trail he references his family’s experiences caring for his elderly mother and includes her in social media posts.
NO SUPER MAJORITY?
I think that there won’t be a significant net change in legislative seats. I think that, because of redistricting over the years, there are a lot of safe Democratic seats [and] a lot of safe Republican seats. . . The rural areas are becoming more conservative, the cities are becoming more liberal, and it’s hard to flip seats anymore.
A supermajority—two-thirds of the 70 members of the House or 47 members—would give House Dems the ability to override a gubernatorial veto and could reshape legislative strategy between the House and governor. With a supermajority, they could also require that approved legislation take effect immediately instead of waiting for the standard effective date.
Records show the last time there was a Dem supermajority in the House (maybe the only time) was in 1992. Democrat Bruce King was governor at the time. The Speaker then was Rep. Raymond Sanchez of ABQ, who got along well with the Governor. Ditto for then-Senate President Manny Aragon.
This is the Home of New Mexico politics.