U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez — both running in closely watched races — are taking different approaches as they launch new TV ads to support their reelection bids.
Vasquez on Monday released an ad titled “Hard Work.” In it, he touts his record of getting Republicans and his fellow Democrats in Congress to work together to advocate for veterans and ranchers, while cracking down on “cartels at our border.”
“In New Mexico, we know hard work is how things get done,” the freshman congressman said in the ad. “Hard work is how I’ll lower our cost for food and rent so that we can all get ahead.”
Vazquez spokesperson Dylan McArthur said via text message Tuesday the ad is meant to demonstrate the candidate’s achievements.
“Congressman Vasquez has spent his time showing up and serving this district,” McArthur said. “As the election nears, he wants voters to know how he is fighting for them.”
Vasquez faces former congresswoman Yvette Herrell — a familiar foe. He defeated the then-incumbent in 2022. The Second Congressional District contains much of western and southern New Mexico, including portions of Albuquerque’s Westside and South Valley.
Democratic Sen. Heinrich is facing off against Republican Nella Domenici, the daughter of former U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici. Heinrich’s new ad, “Choice,” paints Domenici as willing to do the bidding of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other “MAGA Republicans” who Democrats say are planning to pass a national abortion ban.
“Nella Domenici is Mitch McConnell and MAGA Republicans’ handpicked candidate, funded by a party that has consistently attacked reproductive freedoms, including abortion access,” Heinrich campaign manager Brad Elkins said Tuesday, the day the ad was launched. “They’re funding her campaign for one reason and one reason only: to advance their extreme agenda and pass a national abortion ban. New Mexicans cannot trust Nella Domenici to protect their rights when her alliances are with those who want to take them away.”
A Heinrich press release Tuesday accused Domenici of trying to hide her “positions on abortion access and reproductive freedom.”
Domenici told the Albuquerque Journal in June she would vote against a federal ban on abortion and that she has accepted the U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“Hard Work” will air in the Albuquerque and El Paso media markets, and “Choice” will air statewide, according to the Heinrich and Vazquez campaigns.