Having a senator from each party served New Mexico well over the decades. When a Republican was in the White House, U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici could work on behalf of New Mexico, just as U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman carried the ball when a Democrat served as president. Now, Domenici’s daughter, Nella Domenici, is seeking to bring back bipartisanship to New Mexico’s delegation to the U.S. Senate. She is opposing incumbent Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich, seeking a third term.
Trouble is, the pragmatic Republican views of the past — fiscal prudence, strong national defense, willingness to invest in infrastructure, don’t have a home in the current MAGA version of the Grand Old Party. Any Republican senator — any Republican elected official — must pay tribute to the party’s standard-bearer, Donald Trump. His interests come first, not those of the nation or of New Mexico. Domenici, who is whip-smart, cares passionately about New Mexico and brings experience from the business and the nonprofit world, seems out of place in a party where candidates are pressured to say the 2020 election was stolen.
Heinrich, over his two terms in the Senate, has shown the ability to focus on issues important to New Mexico — the plight of nuclear Downwinders, the transition to clean energy in a state overly dependent on fossil fuel dollars and the importance of preserving wild areas — while at the same time making a mark on the national stage. He is a leader on artificial intelligence, founding the AI Caucus in 2019 to create legislation to regulate a developing technology before it does more harm than good. As a result, he was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most important AI influencers in 2024. His logical mind — he’s trained as an engineer — helps him ask the right questions of the experts so that legislation is informed and effective.
Along with other members of the New Mexico delegation, Heinrich has been forceful in his support for expansion of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) to include the Tularosa Basin Downwinders affected by the 1945 Trinity Test. The legislation, passed by the Senate, is stuck in the House, but Heinrich isn’t giving up. He isn’t giving up on the border, either, despite long-stalled efforts to improve the immigration system while enhancing border security. He knows the two go hand in hand. Importantly, Heinrich fights against the dehumanization of immigrants and refuses to scapegoat the vulnerable for political gain.
Finally, a vote for Heinrich isn’t just a vote for New Mexico’s interests. Democrats nationally have a tough path to keep a Senate majority — and for Americans who care about the Supreme Court, a Democratic Senate majority is essential. Such a majority could approve Supreme Court appointments made by a President Kamala Harris, or block terrible nominees from an emboldened Donald Trump serving a second term. Already, Trump’s appointments have helped overturn Roe v. Wade, leaving women vulnerable to the whims of state lawmakers. Without national protection for reproductive rights, women will remain without basic autonomy over their bodies. Heinrich respects a woman’s right to make her own choices. For U.S. Senate, The New Mexican endorses Martin Heinrich.
In New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández deserves another term in Congress. A native of Las Vegas, N.M., who grew up working her family’s ranch, excelling in school and going on to graduate from Yale and Stanford universities, the attorney brings invaluable lived experience and intellectual curiosity to her service. And service it is. Leger Fernández takes her duties seriously — “to represent” — meeting constituents across her broad district, whether business owners in Hobbs, wildfire survivors in Mora or Ruidoso, or tribal members on the Navajo Nation or in Pueblo villages.
She combines a folksy approach to retail politics, listening intently to problems, yet having an eagle eye for the details of legislation. As Leger Fernández discusses her work, it’s clear she takes delight in meeting with members of the opposition — her Republican colleagues — to find ways to work together to boost rural economies. This nonpartisan approach to government is how Congress can become functional again.
Yet Leger Fernández is a fierce Democrat, championing policies to support women’s reproductive rights, reduce income inequality and help first-time homebuyers achieve the American Dream with her Home of Your Own Act. She has helped secure $3.95 billion for people impacted by the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, again showing skill at crafting legislation and forming alliances. We admire her opponent, Republican Sharon Clahchischilliage, for providing voters with a choice — a general election campaign is tough. But in this election, for the 3rd Congressional District, The New Mexican endorses Teresa Leger Fernández.
Correction: This story has been amended to reflect the following correction. The amount of money allocated for the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire was $3.95 billion. A previous story incorrectly reported the amount.
The Santa Fe New Mexican observes its 175th anniversary with a series highlighting some of the major stories and figures that have appeared in the paper's pages through its history. The collection also includes archival photo galleries.
