Carroll Strategies released the first poll for the November general election.
According to Tom Carroll, the president of the company, 1,199 people were polled.
The reported margin of error is 2.8 percent.
New Mexico Congressional District 1
The Carroll poll proclaims a close race for New Mexico’s First Congressional District between Democrat Deb Haaland and Republican Janice Arnold-Jones.
According to the poll, Debra Haaland polled at 47 percent and Arnold-Jones polled at 42.7 percent with 420 people polled of likely voters.
The New Mexico Governor’s Race:
Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham – 50.5%
Republican Steve Pearce – 42.1%
Libertarian Bob Walsh – 3.1%
Undecided – 4.3%
U.S. Senate:
Democrat Martin Heinrich – 49.8%
Republican Mick Rich – 39.3%
Libertarian Aubrey Dunn – 5.3%
Undecided – 5.7%
U.S. Congress CD 1:
Democrat Debra Haaland – 47%
Republican Janice Arnold-Jones – 42.7%
Libertarian Lloyd Princeton – 3.6%
Undecided – 6.7%
U.S. Congress CD 2:
Democrat Xochitl Torres Small – 34.7%
Republican Yvette Harrell – 48.5%
Undecided – 16.8%
U.S. Congress CD 3:
Democrat Ben Ray Lujan – 58%
Republcan Jerald Steve McFall – 30%
Libertarian Christopher Mannin – 4.7%
Undecided – 7.2%
COMMENTARY
Frankly, this poll is way too premature to be much use given the fact the summer has not officially started.
Although Debra Haaland at this point has 4.3% advantage over Janis Arnold-Jones, what is going to make a real difference is who has the ability to raise the millions to run an effective campaign.
The First Congressional District leans heavily Democratic and considered safe Democratic seat.
Chances are extremely likely that Debra Haaland, as the first Native American, Female Progressive that would ever be elected to the US Congress, she no doubt will get significant help from national interests and progressive organizations such as Emily’s list that contributed up to $200,000 to run ads against Damon Martinez in the last two weeks of the primary.
Janis Arnold-Jones I suspect will be left to fend for herself by the Republican National Committee that will be more concerned about retaining their majority in the US House and investing in congressional districts where incumbents are facing stiff reelections.
The only candidate that appears to be running TV commercials at this point is Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham running for Governor.
I suspect Michelle Lujan Grisham is running commercials so early to protect or preserve her overwhelming landslide in the primary, to keep Democrats motivated and offset some of the negative ads that were run against her by Senator Joseph Cervantes and Jeff Apodaca.
The heavy lifting will now begin to start in earnest to raise the millions that will be needed for the general election campaign.
The Governor’s race is somewhat problematic for Mithcell Lujan Grisham when it comes to money for the general election.
Just prior to the primary, federal election reports had Lujan Grisham with a little over $1 million left for the general election while Steve Pearce had close to $2 million.
Steve Pearce is a millionaire in his own right and no doubt will be raising millions from the oil and gas industry.
However, after 8 years of Republican Suzanna Martinez and disastrous Republican policies, Steve Pearce has more than a few major problems to overcome including his strong support and approval of all things Trump and support of the conservative agenda of tax cuts for the rich, repeal of Obama Care, and reduction in social services.
Michelle Lujan Grisham is more than capable of raising sufficient money for the general election seeing as she raised over $3 million to win the primary in a landslide.
The election is in four months away, which is an eternity in politics.
Brace yourself in about two months for one nasty general election race.
For more commentary on Steve Pearce bending over backwards to defend racist Trump see: