In the congressional and state elections of 2022, multiple states across the country saw competitive races in a Republican leaning environment. One such state was New Mexico, which even though it did not hold any State Senate elections, it did hold regularly scheduled elections for State House. Heading into the election, Democrats controlled 45 of the New Mexico State House of Representatives seats compared to the Republicans 24, while one candidate was an Independent. After the election, Republicans won a net gain of one seat, bringing the chamber’s balance to 44-25 Democratic with one vacancy. This article will examine the election on a county-by-county level for all State House districts decided by 5% or less.
New Mexico State House of Representatives Election Table and Maps
| District | Rep | Dem | RPCT | DPCT |
| 1 | 9,182 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 2 | 5,468 | 0 | 70.20% | 0.00% |
| 3 | 8,272 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 4 | 0 | 5,993 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 5 | 0 | 7,249 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 6 | 2,934 | 4,925 | 37.33% | 62.67% |
| 7 | 4,621 | 3,412 | 57.53% | 42.47% |
| 8 | 8,503 | 0 | 98.15% | 0.00% |
| 9 | 0 | 5,293 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 10 | 3,186 | 4,506 | 41.42% | 58.58% |
| 11 | 2,518 | 8,859 | 22.13% | 77.87% |
| 12 | 0 | 4,361 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 13 | 0 | 3,889 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 14 | 2,033 | 5,679 | 26.36% | 73.64% |
| 15 | 4,386 | 7,574 | 34.83% | 60.14% |
| 16 | 0 | 7,575 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 17 | 5,499 | 6,150 | 47.21% | 52.79% |
| 18 | 1,872 | 10,292 | 15.39% | 84.61% |
| 19 | 1,454 | 4,014 | 22.93% | 63.31% |
| 20 | 5,343 | 6,900 | 43.64% | 56.36% |
| 21 | 0 | 5,410 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 22 | 8,816 | 6,887 | 56.14% | 43.86% |
| 23 | 7,242 | 6,271 | 51.29% | 44.42% |
| 24 | 5,183 | 7,545 | 40.72% | 59.28% |
| 25 | 0 | 9,187 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 26 | 2,642 | 4,032 | 39.59% | 60.41% |
| 27 | 6,556 | 7,728 | 45.90% | 54.10% |
| 28 | 6,883 | 7,552 | 47.68% | 52.32% |
| 29 | 6,458 | 7,349 | 46.77% | 53.23% |
| 30 | 5,541 | 6,737 | 45.13% | 54.87% |
| 31 | 8,542 | 7,008 | 54.93% | 45.07% |
| 32 | 3,789 | 3,743 | 50.31% | 49.69% |
| 33 | 3,273 | 4,908 | 40.01% | 59.99% |
| 34 | 0 | 3,604 | 0.00% | 95.70% |
| 35 | 3,339 | 4,879 | 40.63% | 59.37% |
| 36 | 4,690 | 5,098 | 47.92% | 52.08% |
| 37 | 4,150 | 5,557 | 42.75% | 57.25% |
| 38 | 4,377 | 4,500 | 49.31% | 50.69% |
| 39 | 6,415 | 5,622 | 53.29% | 46.71% |
| 40 | 2,747 | 7,342 | 27.23% | 72.77% |
| 41 | 0 | 7,521 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 42 | 0 | 9,267 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 43 | 0 | 9,173 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 44 | 7,118 | 7,415 | 48.98% | 51.02% |
| 45 | 0 | 9,124 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 46 | 3,203 | 10,921 | 22.68% | 77.32% |
| 47 | 0 | 14,538 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 48 | 0 | 9,251 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 49 | 8,774 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 50 | 0 | 11,986 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 51 | 5,856 | 3,434 | 63.04% | 36.96% |
| 52 | 2,704 | 4,208 | 39.12% | 60.88% |
| 53 | 3,105 | 3,238 | 48.95% | 51.05% |
| 54 | 7,038 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 55 | 7,428 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 56 | 7,761 | 0 | 67.17% | 0.00% |
| 57 | 6,082 | 5,654 | 51.82% | 48.18% |
| 58 | 4,100 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 59 | 7,667 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 60 | 7,359 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 61 | 3,090 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 62 | 6,484 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 63 | 4,787 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 64 | 5,889 | 0 | 67.34% | 0.00% |
| 65 | 0 | 6,230 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 66 | 5,571 | 0 | 80.86% | 0.00% |
| 67 | 8,455 | 0 | 100.00% | 0.00% |
| 68 | 5,616 | 5,651 | 49.84% | 50.16% |
| 69 | 0 | 5,075 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| 70 | 0 | 7,237 | 0.00% | 100.00% |
| Total | 274,001 | 347,553 | 43.20% | 54.80% |
| Margin | D +73,552 | D +11.60% |
2022 New Mexico State House District 28
The 28th State House District of New Mexico is a slightly Democratic leaning district, with a Democratic voter registration advantage of 1,303 voters at the time of the November election, or a margin of 5.41%. The district is in Eastern Bernalillo County and would be considered a tossup with a slight Democratic lean in most election years.
28th District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-28 | 8,374 | 34.79% | 9,677 | 40.20% | 6,020 | 24,071 |
| Total | 8,374 | 34.79% | 9,677 | 40.20% | 6,020 | 24,071 |
| Margin | D +1,303 | D +5.41% |
In the primary elections for the 28th State House District, incumbent Democrat Pamelya Herndon ran for re-election, winning the Democratic primary against no opposition with 2,075 votes. On the Republican side, candidate Nicole Chavez won the Republican primary against no opponents with 2,026 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election in November.
28th District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Chavez | Chavez % | Herndon | Herndon % | Total |
| Bernalillo | 6,883 | 47.68% | 7,552 | 52.32% | 14,435 |
| Total | 6,883 | 47.68% | 7,552 | 52.32% | 14,435 |
| Margin | D +669 | D +4.64% |
In the general election, Democratic incumbent Herndon won a narrow victory over Republican challenger Chavez. Herndon won the district by 669 votes, or by 4.64%. This will likely be a Republican target in 2024, although turnout will be key to winning the district for either party. The Democrats will likely start off with a small advantage in 2024 due to the district’s voter registration numbers.
2022 New Mexico State House District 32
The 32nd House District of New Mexico is a moderately Democratic leaning district, located primarily in Luna County, but with slivers of Dona Ana and Hidalgo Counties present in the district. Democrats have a voter registration advantage of 1,564 voters at the time of the November 2022 election, or an advantage of 9.59%. The district would be expected to elect a Democrat in most situations.
32nd District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-32 | 5,401 | 33.09% | 6,965 | 42.68% | 3,955 | 16,321 |
| Total | 5,401 | 33.09% | 6,965 | 42.68% | 3,955 | 16,321 |
| Margin | D +1,564 | D +9.59% |
In the primary elections for the 32nd State House district, Democratic incumbent Candie Sweetser ran for re-election, winning the Democratic primary with 1,135 votes against no primary opponents. In the Republican primary, Republican challenger Jenifer Jones won the nomination with 1,238 votes against no primary opposition. Both candidates advanced to the general election, where they would face off in November.
32nd District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Jones | Jones % | Sweetser | Sweetser % | Total |
| Dona Ana | 155 | 59.16% | 107 | 40.84% | 262 |
| Hidalgo | 633 | 44.61% | 786 | 55.39% | 1,419 |
| Luna | 3,001 | 51.29% | 2,850 | 48.71% | 5,851 |
| Total | 3,789 | 50.31% | 3,743 | 49.69% | 7,532 |
| Margin | R +46 | R +0.62% |
In the general election, Republican challenger Jones won a surprise victory over Democratic incumbent Sweetser after a recount was conducted. Jones won Dona Ana and Luna Counties by a combined 199 votes, while Sweetser won Hidalgo County by 153 votes. In the end, Jones’s margins in Dona Ana and Luna Counties by a tiny margin of 46 votes, or 0.62%.
2022 New Mexico State House District 36
The 36th House District of New Mexico is in Dona Ana County and is a strongly Democratic leaning district. Democrats have a voter registration advantage of 2,150 voters, or by 10.83%). Democrats would be expected to carry the district in most election years.
36th District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-36 | 6,076 | 30.61% | 8,226 | 41.44% | 5,546 | 19,848 |
| Total | 6,076 | 30.61% | 8,226 | 41.44% | 5,546 | 19,848 |
| Margin | D +2,150 | D +10.83% |
In the primary elections for the 36th State House District, Democratic incumbent Nathan Small ran re-election, winning the Democratic primary against no opposition with 1,288 votes. In the Republican primary, Kimberly Skaggs won the nomination with no primary opponents with 1,062 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election.
36th District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Skaggs | Skaggs % | Small | Small % | Total |
| Dona Ana | 4,690 | 47.92% | 5,098 | 52.08% | 9,788 |
| Total | 4,690 | 47.92% | 5,098 | 52.08% | 9,788 |
| Margin | D +408 | D +4.16% |
After all the votes were cast and recorded in the general election, Democratic incumbent Small won re-election over Republican challenger Skaggs by 408 votes, or a margin of 4.16%. The district will likely not be a Republican target in 2024 due to the voter registration numbers but may be more vulnerable in a good Republican year.
2022 New Mexico State House District 38
The 38th State House District of New Mexico is a moderately Democratic leaning district where Democrats have a voter registration advantage of 1,503 voters, or by 8.05%. The district is located primarily in Dona Ana and Socorro counties, with the most votes in 2022 being cast in Socorro County. The district also includes a portion of Sierra County. This is a district Democrats would be expected to have an edge in but would not be out of the realm of competitiveness in a Republican midterm or presidential election.38th District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-38 | 6,221 | 33.30% | 7,724 | 41.35% | 4,734 | 18,679 |
| Total | 6,221 | 33.30% | 7,724 | 41.35% | 4,734 | 18,679 |
| Margin | D +1,503 | D +8.05% |
In 2022, the district was host to an open seat election, with Democrat Tara Jaramillo and Republican Sandra Hammack advancing from their respective primaries against one other candidate in each primary. In the Democratic primary, Jaramillo won with 1,232 (65.00%) votes against Ravi Bhasker, who placed second with 675 votes (35.00%). In the Republican primary, Hammack won with 1,339 votes (74.00%) against Melba Aguilar, who placed second with 463 votes (26.00%). Both candidates advanced to the general election, where they would face off in November.
38th District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Hammack | Hammack % | Jaramillo | Jaramillo % | Total |
| Dona Ana | 1,633 | 51.11% | 1,562 | 48.89% | 3,195 |
| Sierra | 1,346 | 61.38% | 847 | 38.62% | 2,193 |
| Socorro | 1,398 | 40.07% | 2,091 | 59.93% | 3,489 |
| Total | 4,377 | 49.31% | 4,500 | 50.69% | 8,877 |
| Margin | D +123 | D +1.38% |
In the general election, Democratic candidate Jaramillo won a narrow victory over Republican candidate Hammack. Jaramillo won the Socorro County portion of the district by 693 votes, while Hammack won the Dona Ana and Sierra portions of the district by a combined 570 votes. Jaramillo’s 693 vote margin in Socorro County enabled her to carry the district by a margin of 123 votes, or 1.38%.
2022 New Mexico State House District 44
The 44th State House District of New Mexico is located primarily in Sandoval County, with a smaller portion in Bernalillo County. The district is moderately Democratic leaning, with a Democratic voter registration advantage of 1,574 voters at the time of the November election, or by 6.56%. The district could be at risk of a Republican takeover in a midterm or good Republican presidential year, but based on the voter registration numbers, Democrats would start off with a narrow advantage.
44th District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-44 | 8,411 | 35.03% | 9,985 | 41.59% | 5,612 | 24,008 |
| Total | 8,411 | 35.03% | 9,985 | 41.59% | 5,612 | 24,008 |
| Margin | D +1,574 | D +6.56% |
In the 44th State House District, Republican Jane Powdrell-Culbert ran for re-election, running against the newly drawn district’s partisan lean. Powdrell-Culbert won the Republican primary with 1,461 votes (62.00%) against one primary opponent, Frida Vasquez, who took 2,361 votes (38.00%). In the Democratic primary, candidate Kathleen Cates ran unopposed, garnering 1,984 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election held in November.
44th District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Culbert | Culbert % | Cates | Cates % | Total |
| Bernalillo | 971 | 48.74% | 1,021 | 51.26% | 1,992 |
| Sandoval | 6,147 | 49.02% | 6,394 | 50.98% | 12,541 |
| Total | 7,118 | 48.98% | 7,415 | 51.02% | 14,533 |
| Margin | D +297 | D +2.04% |
In the general election, the Democratic challenger Cates won the district over Republican incumbent Powdrell-Culbert by a margin of 297 votes (2.04%). This is a district in which Democrats now have an advantage in 2024, as they have an incumbent and the partisan lean in their favor. However, with the voter registration numbers slightly favoring Democrats, it could be at risk of a Republican takeover in 2026, provided a good Republican midterm environment.
2022 New Mexico State House District 53
The 53rd State House District of New Mexico is located primarily in Dona Ana County, with a sliver of Otero County present as well. Democrats enjoy a 1,633-voter registration advantage in the district, or by 10.06%. Democrats, just based on the voter registration numbers alone, would start off with an advantage. However, in a Republican midterm or presidential year, it could be at risk of a takeover if the national environment was Republican leaning enough.
53rd District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-53 | 4,644 | 28.62% | 6,277 | 38.68% | 5,308 | 16,229 |
| Total | 4,644 | 28.62% | 6,277 | 38.68% | 5,308 | 16,229 |
| Margin | D +1,633 | D +10.06% |
In the 53rd District election, Democratic Incumbent Willie D. Madrid ran for re-election. In the Democratic primary, Madrid ran unopposed, garnering 707 votes. In the Republican primary, Elizabeth Winterrowd ran against no primary opposition, winning 654 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election, where they would face off in November.
53rd District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Winterrowd | Winterrowd % | Madrid | Madrid % | Total |
| Dona Ana | 2,864 | 50.24% | 2,837 | 49.76% | 5,701 |
| Otero | 241 | 37.54% | 401 | 62.46% | 642 |
| Total | 3,105 | 48.95% | 3,238 | 51.05% | 6,343 |
| Margin | D +133 | D +2.10% |
In the general election, Democratic incumbent Madrid won the district over Republican challenger Winterrowd by a margin of 133 votes (2.10%). He was able to do this by winning the Otero County portion of the district by a 160 vote margin, while Winterrowd only won the Dona Ana County portion by a 27-vote margin. In the end, Madrid’s margin in Otero enabled him to carry the district overall.
2022 New Mexico State House District 57
The 57th State House District of New Mexico is located entirely in Sandoval County and is a pure tossup district based on the voter registration numbers. Democrats had a small voter registration advantage of 45 voters as of the November election, or by 0.21%. This is a district that would typically see very competitive elections.
57th District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-57 | 7,881 | 36.25% | 7,926 | 36.46% | 5,934 | 21,741 |
| Total | 7,881 | 36.25% | 7,926 | 36.46% | 5,934 | 21,741 |
| Margin | D +45 | D +0.21% |
In the election for the 57th State House District, incumbent Republican Jason Harper ran for re-election. In the Republican primary, Harper earned 1,428 votes against no primary opposition, while in the Democratic primary, Michelle Sandoval won the nomination against no primary opponents with 1,054 votes. Both candidates made it to the general election in November.
-57th District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Harper | Harper % | Sandoval | Sandoval % | Total |
| Sandoval | 6,082 | 51.82% | 5,654 | 48.18% | 11,736 |
| Total | 6,082 | 51.82% | 5,654 | 48.18% | 11,736 |
| Margin | R +428 | R +3.64% |
In the general election, Republican incumbent Harper won re-election over Democratic challenger Sandoval by a margin of 428 votes (3.64%). This district will likely see competition between the two parties in 2024, as it is one of the most marginal districts in terms of voter registration, and either party could win it in the next election.
2022 New Mexico State House District 68
The 68th State House District of New Mexico is located entirely in Bernalillo County and is a slightly Democratic leaning district. Democrats have a voter registration edge of 1,072 voters or 5.13%. This is a district that would be at risk of a Republican takeover in a good Republican presidential or midterm year.
68th District Party Registration Data (As of November Election/Note: New Mexico Secretary of State does not show partisan registration by county, only by district)
| District | Republicans | R % | Democrats | D % | Other | Total |
| HD-68 | 7,259 | 34.70% | 8,331 | 39.83% | 5,327 | 20,917 |
| Total | 7,259 | 34.70% | 8,331 | 39.83% | 5,327 | 20,917 |
| Margin | D +1,072 | D +5.13% |
In 2022, the district saw an open seat election. In the Democratic primary, Charlotte Little won against no primary opposition with 1,252 votes, while in the Republican primary, Robert Moss won unopposed with 1,317 votes. Both candidates advanced to the general election, where they would face off in November.
68th District Election Data (In November Election/Note: Some Write-In votes are not reported on the Secretary of State’s website but are included in the total votes)
| County | Moss | Moss % | Little | Little % | Total |
| Bernalillo | 5,614 | 49.84% | 5,650 | 50.16% | 11,264 |
| Total | 5,614 | 49.84% | 5,650 | 50.16% | 11,264 |
| Margin | D +36 | D +0.32% |
In the general election, Democratic candidate Little won a narrow victory after a recount over Republican candidate Moss by an impossibly narrow margin of 36 votes (0.32%). This district will likely be a Republican target in the 2024 election, as the narrow margin would indicate. However, Democrats will be starting in a decent position as they have a voter registration advantage and the benefit of incumbency.
