U.S. House, New Mexico - 1st District
Central -- Albuquerque
Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
2008: Darren White (R) vs. Martin Heinrich (D)
2006: Rep.
The Albuquerque-based district is a toss-up -- Democrats hold a generic lead, 48 percent to 33 percent over Republican, but another 20 percent of district voters are not with either major party. Wilson retired the seat for an ultimately unsuccessful race for the GOP nomination for the Senate race, and the race between Democrat Martin Heinrich, a former member of the Albuquerque City Council, and Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White has grown contentious, but neither candidate has a clear edge race. White had twice as much money on hand as Heinrich through Sept. 30 and the state Republican Party has invested heavily in the race.
Race Information
- Incumbent: Martin Heinrich, D
- First Elected: 2008 (1st term)
- Last Elected: (%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: No Clear Favorite
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
Built around Albuquerque, the 1st is the only urban district in a sparsely populated, desert state. Since the Manhattan Project set the region on a technology-driven course in the 1940s, Albuquerque has grown from 35,000 people before WWII to more than 440,000 in 2000. Albuquerque continues to be the driving force behind New Mexico’s growth.
Sandia National Laboratories is the basis for a steady defense industry, and its success has contributed to a surge in computer, laser and other technology firms in the area, including Emcore and nearby Intel (located in the 3rd). Sandia, which employs 8,600 people, coordinates with two other major employers in the district, the University of New Mexico and the Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base, to conduct energy and defense research. The technology industry draws high numbers of PhDs to Albuquerque.
New Mexico has made strong investments in clean, renewable and alternative energy research. A 2004 law, revised in 2007, requires utility companies to invest in alternative energy, and some local companies, such as Albuquerque-based Advent Solar, are taking advantage.
Democrats hold most local offices, but Republicans are competitive at all levels. The GOP has held the U.S. House seat since its creation in 1968, with the area traditionally sending fiscally conservative, defense-oriented moderate Republicans to Congress. Much of the GOP vote comes from the mainly white, upper-middle-class Northeast Heights section of Albuquerque, but the large government workforce and predominately Hispanic South Valley provide Democrats with an overall edge in voter registration.
Major Industry
Higher education, scientific research, defense, government
Military Bases
Kirtland Air Force Base, 5,200 military, 17,800 civilian (2006)
Cities
Albuquerque (pt.), 442,365; South Valley (unincorporated), 39,060; North Valley (unincorporated), 11,923
Notable
Albuquerque’s annual International Balloon Fiesta is the world’s largest hot air balloon event; The National Atomic Museum, soon to become the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History, is in Albuquerque.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 606,400
- Under 18: 25.8%
- Over 65: 11.4%
- Married: 50.9%
- Non-Hispanic White: 49%
- Black: 2%
- Hispanic: 43%
- Asian: 2%
- Foreign Born: 8.6%
- Language other than English: 30%
- Median Household Income: 38,413
- Owner Occupied Housing: 65.4%
- Income above $200k: 1.7
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 65.2%
- Blue Collar: 19%
- Services: 15.8%
- Bachelor's Degree: 29%
- Graduate Education: 12.6%
- Civilian Veterans: 68,710
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Martin Heinrich (D) | 163,348 | 55.5% |
| Darren White (R) | 131,085 | 44.5% | ||
| 2006 | general | Heather Wilson (R) | 105,986 | 50.2% |
| Patricia Madrid (D) | 105,125 | 49.8% | ||
| 2004 | general | Heather Wilson (R) | 147,372 | 54.4% |
| Richard Romero (D) | 123,339 | 45.5% | ||
| 2002 | general | Heather Wilson (R) | 95,711 | 55.3% |
| Richard Romero (D) | 77,234 | 44.7% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 51% | George W. Bush: 48% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 48% | George W. Bush: 47% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WILSON, HEATHER A. (R) | November 24, 2008 | $2,608,359.00 | $2,655,547.00 | $1,879,350.00 | $19,352.00 | ||
| MADRID, PATRICIA A (D) | September 30, 2008 | $41,373.00 | $44,184.00 | $6,694.00 | |||
| HEINRICH, MARTIN (D) | November 24, 2008 | $2,492,475.00 | $2,466,678.00 | $101,999.00 | $1,830,359.00 | $25,795.00 | $9,534.00 |
| KELLY, JOHN J (D) | September 30, 2008 | $530,551.00 | |||||
| GRISHAM, MICHELLE LUJAN (D) | September 30, 2008 | $314,828.00 | $312,339.00 | $299,873.00 | $2,487.00 | $23,287.00 | |
| PIDCOCK, ROBERT L (D) | September 30, 2008 | $139,426.00 | $136,893.00 | $17,848.00 | $2,533.00 | $119,579.00 | |
| PAEZ, BRYON J (D) | December 31, 2007 | $11,500.00 | $11,500.00 | $11,500.00 | |||
| CARRARO, JOSEPH J (R) | September 30, 2008 | $72,541.00 | $73,958.00 | $45,341.00 | $131.00 | $17,200.00 | |
| VIGIL-GIRON, REBECCA D (D) | September 30, 2008 | $30,530.00 | $23,047.00 | $23,530.00 | $7,480.00 | $22,152.00 | |
| WHITE, DARREN P (R) | November 24, 2008 | $1,797,951.00 | $1,771,417.00 | $116,771.00 | $1,223,871.00 | $26,533.00 | |
