Free Republic

A devastating blow has been dealt to Democrats’ plans to capitalize on the growing Hispanic population of the United States, playing on immigration concerns to create a solid voting bloc even larger than that of African-Americans. From an altitude of 30,000 feet, ethnic politics seem so simple and basic, but on the ground, in places like New Mexico’s Second Congressional District along the southern border, things get a bit more complicated.

Most political observers expect incumbent Democratic Sen. Tom Udall to easily win re-election in New Mexico, but a new poll suggests the race has suddenly tightened. Udall is only up four points over Republican Allen Weh, according to a new Vox Populi poll shared first with The Daily Caller. The poll has Udall at 47 and Weh at 43. “Our survey shows that the New Mexico Senate race has tightened down to a four point lead heading into Election Day,” said Vox Populi pollster Brent Seaborn. “The deteriorating national political environment for Democrats and President Obama has put Senate races...

In which New Mexico Democrats' white, male gubernatorial nominee pronounces his Hispanic, female opponent -- whom he's trailing in the polls -- to be insufficiently 'Latino' in her heart, or something (via the Weekly Standard):

Gov. Susana Martinez led Attorney General Gary King by 9 percentage points in the first Journal Poll on the New Mexico governor’s race, hitting the coveted 50 percent mark before the fall campaign. “It’s a comfortable lead, especially when you take into consideration the tremendous financial advantage the governor has,” said Brian Sanderoff, president of Research & Polling Inc., which conducted the poll. The Republican governor, who is seeking re-election to a second four-year term, led the two-term Democratic attorney general in most regions of the state, including the Albuquerque area, the poll found. Overall, 50 percent of New Mexico...

After meeting with Rep. Miguel Garcia, D-Albuquerque, at a political event, Garcia reached out. “We talked on the phone he said he really wanted to help me and help my campaign,” Otero said. And Garcia stayed true to his word, sending an email addressed to “Fellow House Members, Senate Colleagues, Elected Official Friends” Monday night.