Heath Haussamen
The 2010 election was historic for a few reasons that should be recognized, starting with the obvious: Susana Martinez is not only the first woman to be elected governor of New Mexico, but she’s also the first Hispanic woman to be elected governor of any state in the country.
That means Martinez is going to be watched very, very closely – particularly because she’s a Republican and the GOP will be looking to make gains in blue-leaning states like New Mexico and among Hispanics in 2012.
The Washington Post labeled Martinez last weekend as one of the “two freshest Hispanic faces in national politics” and a “potential Republican vice presidential nominee.”
A potential vice presidential nominee? She has to prove herself first. But the fact that the possibility is being talked about even before Martinez has an opportunity to prove herself underscores the significance of her status as the nation’s first Hispanic woman to be elected governor.
There’s more about this election that’s historic:
A Republican secretary of state
Before Dianna Duran won on Tuesday, New Mexico hadn’t elected a Republican to be secretary of state since 1928. E. A. Perrault served in the job from 1929-1930.
Republicans are really celebrating this one. Former gubernatorial candidate Allen Weh wrote in an e-mail sent out by his political action committee that it was “a special victory” because it’s been so long since the GOP held the seat.
More Republicans in the House
Then there was the dramatic shift to the right in the New Mexico House. On Tuesday, the GOP picked up eight additional seats in the 70-member House – meaning the chamber will have 37 Democrats and 33 Republicans come January.
That means some committees won’t have Democratic majorities. It means the House will be undeniably more conservative than it has been in recent years.
In the history of the 70-member House – which goes back to 1967 – Republicans have never held so many seats. The most the GOP has had at one time was 30 in 1999 and 2000.
You have to go all the way back to E.A. Perrault’s tenure as secretary of state to find a time when a greater percentage of House members were Republicans. In 1929, 37 of 49 members of the House were Republicans.
80 years ago
You’ll notice that a period about 80 years ago, when Republicans held power, keeps coming up. In fact, in 1928, it’s my understanding that Republicans won every statewide office. There was a dramatic swing to Democrats after those Republicans were elected (the Great Depression hit in the interim), and the state hasn’t been as Republican since.
The Roundhouse isn’t going to look that Republican, but, come January, things are going to be much different than they’ve been in a long time…
A bright spot for Democrats
There was one really bright spot for Democrats on Election Day – the re-election of U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich in the 1st Congressional District. Heinrich defeated Republican Jon Barela by almost 7,000 votes, 51.6 percent to 48.4 percent.
Heinrich became the first Democrat to win the always contested 1st District seat in 2008, his victory powered by the tsunami of new Obama voters in Albuquerque. With the national mood shifting back to the right and Obama not on the ballot this year, many believed Heinrich couldn’t stand on his own and win re-election.
Those people were very wrong.
Heinrich showed surprising strength. As the Democratic Party looks to rebuild from a disappointing 2010 election, look for Heinrich to be a key figure.
Does that mean he will someday run for U.S. Senate? Will the party look to him to challenge Martinez in 2014? Or will he stay content in the House? Time will tell.
The bottom line
In New Mexico, 2010 was defined by the same anti-incumbent frustration that affected so many races across the nation, but it was also a referendum on Gov. Bill Richardson and Secretary of State Mary Herrera, whose tenures have both been plagued by scandal. Every statewide Democratic candidate won except the two running against Richardson (Martinez) and Herrera (Duran).
Really, Martinez was running against Democratic lieutenant governor Diane Denish, but Martinez and Republicans effectively made the race about Richardson, and Denish let them.
Congratulations to the winners. To the losers, and the winners, I appreciate your hard work. Running for office is incredibly difficult, and anyone who is willing to put so much blood, sweat and tears into something like that has my respect.