Las Cruces, NM – Today, NM-02 Congressman and Democratic nominee Gabe Vasquez announced that he and his opponent, Greg Cunningham, are confirmed to debate on the KRQE stage on October 16 at 5:00 p.m. MT. Vasquez has also challenged Cunningham to a Spanish-language debate hosted by Univision, so that all voters can hear directly from each candidate about their platforms. As of 5:00 pm MT today, Cunningham has not responded to that challenge.
“Voters in this district deserve to hear from Gabe and Cunningham, on the same stage, on the same night — which is why many will, on October 16,” said campaign spokesperson Patricia Socarras Santiago. “The real question is why Cunningham is dodging a Spanish-language debate with Univision? ALL voters in NM-02 deserve to hear from both candidates.”
To date, Gabe has also earned the endorsements of AFGE Local 1050; AFT New Mexico; Brady PAC; Committee of Interns and Residents of New Mexico; AFSCME Council 18; New Mexico Carpenters Local 1319; CWA Unidos Local 7076; Education Votes; Equality PAC; Giffords PAC; Human Rights Campaign; IBEW Local 611; Latino Victory; League of Conservation Voters; Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate; MoveOn; National Wildlife Action Fund; NRDC Action Fund; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; New Mexico State Council of Machinists; New Mexico Federation of Labor; New Mexico Professional Fire Fighters Association; New Mexico State College Dems; The Next 50; Organizers in the Land of Enchantment (OLÉ); Repro Freedom For All; Semilla Action; Sierra Club; SMART Local 49; Stop Gun Violence PAC; and Young Democrats of New Mexico.
Gabe is the only Democrat to have won New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District twice consecutively. In 2022, he beat incumbent Yvette Herrell by the tightest margin in the country (0.7%). Last cycle, Gabe again defeated Yvette Herrell, this time by 4%— the same year that Donald Trump won the district by 2% — making him one of just 14 Democrats to win a district that went for Trump in 2024. Gabe has continued to win over Democrat, Republican and Independent voters because he is willing to work with anyone to deliver results for New Mexicans on the issues they care most about: lowering the cost of living, expanding access to health care, protecting our public lands, and fixing our broken immigration system. In November, he will set another historic record by winning New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District for a third consecutive cycle. Voters can learn more about the campaign and Gabe’s record by visiting www.gabeforcongress.com.
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