CD2 voters to MLG: More border help, please

After surveying more than 500 likely voters in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, our exclusive poll shows the upcoming election is likely to be just as close as the last election. Former Rep. Yvette Herrell leads Rep. Gabe Vasquez by a single percentage point, 46% to 45%.

9% of likely voters say they are undecided.

So, what are the issues driving the rematch between the two candidates?

Immigration and border security

Title 42, the so-called “Remain in Mexico” policy, expired in May. The pandemic-era law had allowed the U.S. to immediately expel migrants – including those seeking asylum. So how has that impacted illegal immigration?

According to the likely voters, 41% felt that there was more illegal immigration and 15% felt there was less. 20% said it has had no effect. 24% said they didn’t know.

SurveyUSA pollster Ken Alper says there’s a partisan divide.

“There’s a bit of a partisan difference there, with 63% of Republicans saying more, only 30% of Democrats have seen more,” Alper said. “Independents, 37% are seeing more, 10% less, and 21% seeing no change.”

Whether respondents said they lived in an urban, suburban, or rural setting, they all felt just about the same – illegal immigration must be up.

Recognizing that enforcement is a federal responsibility, KOB 4 asked if likely voters would support or oppose the governor taking a more aggressive approach to border security – like asking the National Guard to observe and report illegal crossings.

Five out of every eight people said “Yes, please.” That’s 63% favoring more aggressive state action at the border:

• 42% of adults said they strongly support a more aggressive state approach
• 20% somewhat support it
• 11% somewhat opposed more aggressive state action
• 13% strongly opposed it
• 13% weren’t sure

Climate Change

Five out of eight adults are concerned about climate change in CD2, so KOB 4 asked about electric vehicles.

Just 38% said they would buy an electric vehicle if cost wasn’t a factor – that might have something to do with the 56% of CD2 adults who thought it would be difficult to charge an electric vehicle.

Nuclear waste

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has approved a permit to store high-level nuclear waste at a new facility just off U.S. Highway 62 between Carlsbad and Hobbs. Spent uranium fuel rods from nuclear reactors would be stored in partially buried casks that vent heat to the air.

It would be constructed by a private company and waste would be transported by rail. The state of New Mexico, however, recently banned building such sites. So how do CD2 voters feel?

Just a quarter of people supported the idea. 61% opposed it, with four out of 10 feeling strongly about the issue.

Click here for the full survey, including information on other issues like crime, classroom education and how presidential politics might influence races statewide.