CQPolitics

Before hosting the first atomic bomb explosion in 1945, the mostly rural 2nd, covering the southern half of the state, looked like the old American West. Since then, the area has attracted nuclear research and waste facilities to the Chihuahua Desert’s deep salt beds and remote location.

Towns in the 2nd have built a stable economy on traditional Western industries: copper and lead mining in the Mexican Highlands along the Arizona border; and oil and gas, as well as cattle and sheep ranching, in the southeastern corner of the state, dubbed Little Texas after the Texans who settled the region in the early 20th century. Severe water shortages prevent large-scale industrial development and larger corporate farming, although the northern part of the 2nd is a major producer of pistachios. New Mexico’s strong military presence is evident in the 2nd, home of Holloman Air Force Base and White Sands Missile Range.

New Mexico State University, based in Las Cruces and known for its agricultural research, is increasing its role in the technology industry. The university uses a 64,000-acre section of its ranch as a proving ground for new border security technologies developed by government contractors.

Democrats hold the vast majority of local offices, but the 2nd leans to the GOP at the federal level. Republicans have made gains with Hispanic residents here, who make up 47 percent of the population, especially with the many Hispanics who trace their local ancestry back several generations. In the 2004 presidential election, the 2nd was the state’s only district won by George W. Bush, who captured 58 percent here.

Major Industry

Agriculture, mining, oil and gas production, defense

Military Bases

Holloman Air Force Base, 4,148 military, 21,966 civilian (2005); White Sands Missile Range, 434 military, 6,158 civilian (2006)

Cities

Las Cruces, 74,267; Roswell, 45,293; Alamogordo, 35,582; Hobbs, 28,657; Carlsbad, 25,625

Notable

White Sands National Monument is the world’s largest gypsum dune field; Roswell hosts an annual UFO festival near the site where a UFO allegedly crashed in 1947.