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Southern New Mexico congressman running for a third term
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Southern New Mexico’s sitting congressman, Democrat Gabe Vasquez, recently announced his bid for reelection in 2026.
The competitive 2nd Congressional District encompasses much of southern New Mexico, part of oil country in eastern New Mexico and reaches north into Albuquerque. Vasquez, 41, has held the seat since 2023. Two Republicans, Greg Cunningham and Eddy Aragon, have also entered the race.
The former Las Cruces city councilor has also worked for conservation nonprofits and advocacy groups. During his first two terms, he secured funding for an Albuquerque real-time crime center and an Emergency Operations Center in Truth or Consequences. A bill he authored to protect jobs at rural military installations passed into law as part of a larger spending bill.
“I was called to public service when I continuously saw that politicians here in Washington were getting richer while we were struggling to get by in New Mexico,” Vasquez said.
In his third campaign, Vasquez is focused on public safety, health care and housing and remains concerned with border security and immigration reform and the cost of living.
If he serves a third term, Vasquez wants to get bipartisan bills across the finish line that would increase GI stipends for students, improve the border economy and make it easier for veterans in Otero and Eddy counties to get health care by allowing them to go to the El Paso VA Medical Center instead of Albuquerque.
“I’m a regular guy that has a house, a truck and a dog, and it took me a long time to reach economic stability, and I know the struggles that New Mexicans face every day,” Vasquez said.
