More candidates join 2nd Congressional District race

Voters won’t be able to cast ballots in the 2nd Congressional District race until next year, but the field of candidates has begun to expand.

Incumbent Democrat Gabe Vasquez officially launched his reelection campaign over the weekend, and a retired Albuquerque police detective, Greg Cunningham, is the second Republican planning to enter the race, joining radio station owner Eddy Aragon.

Historically, the 2nd Congressional District is the most competitive of the state’s three districts. It encompasses much of southern New Mexico, but also reaches north into Albuquerque’s South Valley. Aragon and Cunningham both live in Albuquerque, while Vasquez calls Las Cruces home.

The district was redrawn in 2021 to include less of conservative-leaning eastern New Mexico and add part of Albuquerque, over Republican Party objections. The New Mexico Supreme Court upheld the congressional map after a lower court found it constitutional, saying it fell short of “egregious” gerrymandering.

The seat was solidly Republican from the 1980s into the 2000s, but has swung from red to blue to red to blue in recent years — a trend broken when Vasquez won a second term in 2024.

Vasquez kicked off his reelection campaign Saturday with stops up and down Interstate 25, traveling from Albuquerque to Mesilla.

“From protecting public lands, funding critical infrastructure projects, funding local police departments and fighting to lower health care costs, I’m proud of the wins I’ve delivered, and I’m just getting started,” Vasquez said in a statement.

Cunningham confirmed he plans to run, but has not officially announced or filed yet. The Marine Corps veteran previously ran for state House District 29 in 2022 and 2024, losing twice to Democratic incumbent Joy Garratt.

“It breaks my heart to see the state I love continue to struggle with deep poverty, out of control crime, and a broken education system,” Cunningham said in a statement.

Aragon announced his campaign, with a focus on American exceptionalism, in May.

Vasquez has raised $878,630 for his reelection campaign, spent $291,696 and has more than $626,000 cash on hand, according to a June campaign finance report.

Aragon has raised $3,214, spent $126 and has just over $3,000 cash on hand, according to his June campaign finance report.