New Mexico a battleground as GOP competes in deep-blue states

RealClearPolitics currently rates the race a "toss up."

By Ben Whedon

Published: October 28, 2022 4:29pm

Updated: October 28, 2022 4:44pm

As Republicans mount competitive challenges in traditionally deep-blue states such as New York, one New Mexico Republican appears poised to join them as he battles Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for the governor's mansion.

The latest Trafalgar Group poll shows Republican Mark Ronchetti leading Lujan Grisham by a single point, 47% to 46%. That lead remains within the survey's margin of error of +/- 2.9% meaning the race is a statistical tie.

RealClearPolitics currently rates the race a "toss up," assigning Lujan Grisham a 3.5% lead overall. The state's last Republican governor was Susana Martinez, who left office in 2019. At the presidential level, the state last broke for a Republican in 2004, when it backed George W. Bush's reelection.

The race is one of several unexpectedly close contests as Republicans gain momentum for the midterm elections. In New York, Republican Lee Zeldin is within striking distance of Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. In Oregon, meanwhile, Republican Christine Drazan leads the gubernatorial contest.