Posted on 03/16/2008 6:57:00 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
Rep. Steve Pearce beat Rep. Heather Wilson to gain the top spot on the ballot for the U.S. Senate race in the June 3 primary at the state Republican preprimary convention Saturday.
Pearce won with more than 54 percent of the vote, while Wilson had more than 45 percent of the vote from convention delegates, who are GOP party activists from around New Mexico.
(Excerpt) Read more at abqjournal.com ...
This is a very tough call. Steve Pearce has the better voting record, but Heather Wilson has the record of winning tough elections in a marginal constituancy. At the same time, Wilson’s victory has been a combination of hard work and poor Democrat opponents, and virtually nothing else (she has an abrasive personality). By contrast, Pearce has a genial manner which may play well, although he’s long in the tooth to become a freshman Senator.
I penciled this in as a loss with Wilson. But I know nothing about Pearce.
Good thing she still has her day job as a Congre$$critter. She is still listed as an Elected Member of the RMSP.
Pearce looks to be pretty solid for the most part, I won’t begrudge him supporting wind and solar power.
I was initially for Wilson, but her negatives are higher than Pearce’s (forgive me, I haven’t the link for the data). As we well learned this time last week, you can’t beat average Democrats with Republicans of high negatives. Pearce may be the stronger candidate for us now, despite age considerations. Tom Udall himself is no spring chicken, being less than a year younger than Pearce (turns 60 in May). Whomever one wins, it’s unlikely they’ll serve more than 2 terms.
I think that Wilson’s negatives are caused by her role in the U.S. Attorney controversy that contributed to Pete Domenici’s retirement. Her role in it is fairly minor, but the bad press didn’t help her prospects.
I like Steve Pearce, but he’s never faced a difficult general election. That could be a problem.
She won’t have it after January. Of 5 of New Mexico’s current members (both House and Senate), 3 of them will be gone in January, Domenici and 2 House members, and the other one will have vacated their House seat for the Senate. Only Sen. Bingaman will have any seniority. A lot of folks in NM aren’t very happy that all 3 of their House members will be freshmen.
Although Udall has already won statewide before as Attorney-General (in 1990 and 1994), he has never really faced a tough general election. The tough primary will be a good learning experience for Pearce (while Udall was merely coronated with a contest). It will be an uphill battle for us regardless. I have a better feeling about retaining Colorado.
Thanks. That was the article.
“Udall is viewed favorably by 59% and unfavorably by 31%.”
That alone means Udall starts out with at least a 10% advantage going into the general. Pearce will have to drive up his negatives. Wilson has absolutely no room to maneuver with half the electorate against her. Almost identical to Oberweis in his House race (he had 49% disapproval).
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My bride served two tours in Gulf War 1. Since that time she has had a number of unexplained illnesses including mini-strokes, insommnia, and a few other neurological disorders related to exposure to chemicals and nerve agents during that conflict.
Even though the VA and the military have not acknowledged the issues with Vets from that time period, Heathers office pointed us in the right direction to get relief and proper diagnosis.
Now, my bride is taking a medication that alleviates 90% of her symptoms. Provided by the VA system, she is now recieving the care to help her cope with her issues and is participating in a study of Gulf vets.
Heather has the concern for what the national labs are all about. Sandia and Los Alamos are the bedrock of scientific development and ideas for the future. Heather has been in the forefront fighting alongside Pete to get the funding necessary for those two labs to exist. Not sure if Steve understands that.
The 'bad press' Heather received is because of the US Attorney firings and her support of SHIP. Sometimes she votes for what is right, and not what is politically expedient. A strong 2nd Amendment supporter and definitive pro-life candidate.
Once people meet her, as we did to our good fortune, they find , a highly inteligent, pro-veteran, pro-defense, pro-gun, pro-life strong-willed, patriot. She gave up a lot of hand-shaking time to sit with my bride for about two hours talking about the service(Heather is ex-Air Force), and the problems of women in the service.
Not many politicians would do that.
Udall is viewed favorably by 59% and unfavorably by 31%. Wilson’s numbers are 47% favorably and 47% unfavorable. Pearce is the least known candidate, with 48% who view him favorably, 39% who view him unfavorably and 13% who are not sure.
If Obama or Hillary plugs Richardson as the Veep, then the NM Senate race could be a gimmie for the Rodents.
True, but McCain’s from next-door Arizona, and that should help a little bit.
Heather Wilson has her good points, there is no denying that. Personally, I’d be satisfied with either Republican candidate.
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