{"id":363163,"date":"2017-06-06T19:17:34","date_gmt":"2017-06-07T01:17:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/?p=363163"},"modified":"2017-06-08T23:23:10","modified_gmt":"2017-06-09T05:23:10","slug":"poll-finds-new-mexicans-unhappy-with-states-direction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nmpolitics.net\/index\/2017\/06\/poll-finds-new-mexicans-unhappy-with-states-direction\/","title":{"rendered":"Poll finds New Mexicans unhappy with state’s direction"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Heath Haussamen \/ NMPolitics.net<\/p>

A statue outside the Roundhouse in Santa Fe.<\/p><\/div>\n

Democrats and Republicans alike have been\u00a0quick to blast out news about\u00a0a poll of a potential 2018 gubernatorial matchup<\/a>. But perhaps the most interesting finding in the survey is that the vast majority of New Mexicans think the state his headed in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n

In fact, 73 percent of the 605 registered, “likely” voters surveyed said the state is headed down the wrong track.\u00a0That’s especially significant given that the poll was conducted by a respected GOP firm for U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce, R-N.M., and comes as Republican Gov. Susana Martinez’s tenure is winding down.<\/p>\n

The poll tested a possible gubernatorial matchup between two current members of the U.S. House — Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is running for governor, and Pearce, who is considering joining the race. It found Lujan Grisham leading Pearce 47-43 percent, with 10 percent undecided.<\/p>\n

Lujan Grisham highlighted the poll in a fundraising email.<\/p>\n

“This is huge: A brand new poll shows us LEADING the likely Republican opponent by four points!” the email states. “But this margin is way too close for us to be complacent \u2013 the need to elect Democratic Governors has never been greater.”<\/p>\n

The state GOP, meanwhile, said the poll shows Lujan Grisham’s weakness and Pearce’s strength.<\/p>\n

“New Mexicans know Pearce’s background as a businessman gives him the knowledge necessary to strengthen our economy,” Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Ryan Cangiolosi said in a news release. “While many in the media were quick to coronate Lujan Grisham as the next governor, this poll shows that she’ll have considerable challenges if she continues to run as a rubber stamp on the failed legislative agenda of the Democrats.”<\/p>\n

The survey was conducted by The Terrance Group from\u00a0May 20-23. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.1 percentage points.<\/p>\n

Among the other highlights:<\/p>\n