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Republican Rep. Steve Pearce cruised to re-election Tuesday, easily defeating Democrat Evelyn Madrid Erhard in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District race.
In southern New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, Pearce held a commanding lead in unofficial returns. Widely considered one of the more conservative members of Congress, Pearce barely had to compete in the 2nd Congressional District race, easily outpacing — and outspending — Erhard.
Pearce will remain the New Mexico congressional delegation’s lone Republican House member. He ran a cam paign focused on smaller government and lower taxes, which he contends would help fuel economic growth. After declaring victory Tuesday, Pearce told the Journal he will continue his work on Western land issues when he returns to Washington for a fifth term.
The Republican representative has repeatedly clashed with environmentalists over issues related to land use and endangered species, but he said he hopes to find some common ground in the interest of job creation.
“We’re going to accelerate these land use issues and improve the job situation and take care of the land at the same time,” Pearce said. “I think we can do both.”
Pearce has also vowed to help protect New Mexico’s military bases in coming congressional negotiations over reducing federal deficits.
Erhard wanted to expand government programs and rescind tax cuts for higher-income Americans, arguing that this approach would reduce America’s deficit and lead to job creation. Erhard was not immediately available for comment.
U.S. House, Dist. 2
Steve Pearce (R) 128,484
Evelyn Madrid Erhard (D) 87,884
84 percent of projected vote counted All results unofficial
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