Rep. Wilson leads by sliver in New Mexico
- Share via
Fighting the national tide, New Mexico Rep. Heather A. Wilson clung to a narrow lead Wednesday in her bid to keep her Democratic-leaning district in Republican hands.
Wilson was ahead of her opponent, Democratic state Atty. Gen. Patricia Madrid, by roughly 1,300 votes out of more than 200,000 ballots cast.
Madrid was hoping to pull ahead after a count of absentee votes and other outstanding ballots, which might not be completed until Friday. Election officials said about 3,700 votes remained uncounted.
The 1st Congressional District, centered in the Albuquerque area, was a top target of both political parties. The two sides and their allies poured millions of dollars into months of TV ads, almost all negative.
Meanwhile, Madrid and Wilson pursued the broad strategies of their respective parties. The Democrat sought to nationalize the campaign around the Iraq war and President Bush.
Wilson aimed to keep the focus local and raise doubts about Madrid’s personality and about her performance in the state capital, Santa Fe -- especially after Madrid stumbled in their one televised debate.
The congresswoman, who was first elected in 1998, has a history of winning tough races. She has never lost an election, though Democrats have always outnumbered Republicans in her district.
*
A series of articles on the New Mexico race can be found at www.latimes.com/newmexico.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
