Latest Stories

Obama says change is coming to America

By |

Barack Obama said his victory tonight makes him more hopeful than ever that change is coming. “If there’s anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where anything is possible… tonight is your answer,” Obama said in declaring victory. “… It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change is coming to America.” Obama had kind words for John McCain and Sarah Palin, calling his opponent “a brave and selfless leader” whose service means America is better off. He said he looks forward to working with both in the months ahead. Obama said he will never forget that his victory belongs to the American people. Continue Reading

Tinsley calls Teague to concede race

By |

Ed Tinsley has called Harry Teague to concede the 2nd Congressional District race, Tinsley’s campaign just confirmed. The historic victory by Teague, the Democratic candidate, represents the first time in 28 years that the Republican Party hasn’t controlled southern New Mexico’s conservative seat in the U.S. House. With 76 percent of precincts reporting, Teague leads by about 7,000 votes, 53 percent to 47 percent. More to come. Continue Reading

Guv says Hispanics deserve credit for Obama win

By |

Gov. Bill Richardson said tonight that Hispanics deserve some credit for Barack Obama’s big win. Speaking about the fact that Obama won New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada and Florida, which all have significant Hispanic populations, Richardson told NBC News moments ago that he’s proud as a Hispanic American to be part of electing Obama. “I’m ecstatic. I’m even humbled by what’s happened,” Richardson said. “… I hope my community gets a little credit, too.” The strategy of Richardson’s failed presidential race was based on winning Hispanic-rich states, and while he didn’t see that vision through to victory in his own campaign, he worked hard after he dropped out of the race to convince Hispanics to support Obama. Continue Reading

Otero County defeats spaceport tax

By |

One little-noticed but important vote tonight was the defeating by Otero County residents of a tax increase to help fund Spaceport America. With all votes counted, the proposed 1/8 percent tax increase was defeated with 8,179 votes, or 47.7 percent, for the tax, and 8,954 votes, or 52.3 percent, against it. What does it mean? It’s not immediately clear. The tax wasn’t critical to the spaceport project. Continue Reading

Udall calls for unity, has kind words for Republicans

By |

U.S. Sen.-elect Tom Udall thanked Republican opponent Steve Pearce and retiring Sen. Pete Domenici for their service in a victory speech tonight in which he called for unity. “Tonight is about change and tonight is about the future,” Udall said at the Democrats’ party in Albuquerque. “… The challenges we face are big, but we can resolve these together. There’s no doubt about it.” Udall thanked his volunteers and staffers, saying he “had an incredible grassroots effort in this campaign. And he had kind words for Pearce, who will leave the House of Representatives at the end of the year, saying the two “were friends when this started.” “We’re going to be friends when this finishes, and I enjoyed serving with him in the U.S. House of Representatives,” Udall said. Continue Reading

In conceding, McCain says it’s time for unity

By |

John McCain said it’s time for Americans to unite during the speech he gave conceding the race to Barack Obama moments ago. “Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. Please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that,” McCain said. “It’s natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow, we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought as hard as we could.” McCain said he doesn’t know what more he could have done to win the race and he wishes the outcome had been different. Continue Reading

Rawson leads; other Doña Ana County races are close

By |

In Doña Ana County, the only race that was expected to be close that, at least thus far, isn’t is the state Senate contest between Republican Leonard Lee Rawson and Democrat Steve Fischmann. With 46 percent of precincts reporting in Doña Ana County, the presidential, U.S. Senate, 2nd Congressional District, clerk and treasurer races are all within 3 percentage points. I’m guessing, based on a look at the numbers, that the votes that have been counted come from more Republican-leaning than Democratic-leaning precincts. I expect all of these races to swing to Democrats are more votes are counted. While we don’t know exactly which precincts have been counted, the news appears to look good for Rawson, who is leading 58 percent to 42 percent at this point. Continue Reading

A True Blue New Mexico looks like a real possibility

By |

Things look really good for Democrats right now. According to the networks, Barack Obama has won New Mexico. According to CNN, Democrat Harry Teague is winning the 2nd Congressional District race with 52 percent of the vote to Republican opponent Ed Tinsley’s 48 percent. That’s with 19 percent of precincts reporting. Democrat Martin Heinrich is leading Republican Darren White in the 1st District race 53 percent to 47 percent. Continue Reading

Teague’s chances look good based on early numbers

By |

Things are looking very good for Democratic 2nd Congressional District candidate Harry Teague, but it’s still early. Teague split Eddy County’s vote with Republican opponent Ed Tinsley 50-50, according to The Associated Press tally. And he’s not trailing Tinsley by a huge margin in Tinsley’s home county — Lincoln — where Tinsley leads 55 percent to 45 percent. Teague has a 2-point lead in conservative Lea County, where he’s from. It’s way too early to call this race, but keep in mind that Doña Ana County should be a big win for Teague, and it’s the most populous county in the district. Continue Reading

What’s going on in Doña Ana County?

By |

I’ve been inundated with calls and e-mails asking what’s happening in Doña Ana County, particularly with the absentee-ballot snafu. The short answer is this: Don’t expect to know a lot any time soon. Early voting results were still being processed this afternoon. It’s not clear how soon we’ll have those numbers. Voting from polling sites will roll in throughout the night. Continue Reading

NBC News says McCain wins Georgia

By |

Another important state, Georgia, will be won by John McCain, NBC News is reporting. The state was one that leaned toward McCain but one in which many believed Barack Obama might win if he was headed toward a landslide victory across the nation. The state comes with 15 electoral votes. More to come. Continue Reading