Alex Ross
Roswell Tribune
Roswell residents gave $28,000 to the Republican nominee in the race for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District.
Federal Election Commission reports filed last week, covering fundraising and spending activity between May 14 and June 30, show that nine individuals from Roswell contributed a combined $28,000 to Republican Gregory Cunningham’s campaign for the seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cunningham’s main fundraising committee raised $665,129.09 in total receipts during that period, compared to $627,093 raised by Cunningham’s opponent, incumbent Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez.
The FEC defines receipts not only as contributions but also as other revenue sources, including support from other campaigns, investment income and transfers from other campaign committees.
Cunningham’s campaign also outspent Vasquez during the reporting period: $220,719 to $204,830. However, Vasquez went into July with about $2.37 million in cash on hand, compared to the $768,188 in Cunningham’s account. That brings the totals raised by Vasquez and Cunningham’s main campaign committees since this election cycle to about $2.37 million and $1.26 million, respectively.
A retired Marine and former Albuquerque police officer, Cunningham is running to unseat Vasquez in the Second Congressional District. The district extends from Albuquerque’s west side down to the U.S.-Mexico border and includes much of southern New Mexico.
The city of Roswell is not in the Second Congressional District, but the district does include a single precinct in Chaves County’s sparsely populated southwest area.
Local donors
House District 59 State Rep. Mark Murphy, R-Roswell, who is also president of the oil production company Strata Production, was Cunningham’s biggest local donor this cycle at $7,000, records show.
Rolla Hinke III, a petroleum landman; Robert Dodson, the owner of Dodson Wholesale Lumber; and Mary and Olen Featherstone each contributed $3,500. Christine and Bill Fenn, listed in the fundraising reports as retirees, each gave $2,000 to Cunningham.
Incoming state Rep. Stephen Dodson, who won the June Republican primary in New Mexico House District 59, and Mark Dodson each contributed $1,500.
Reports did not list any contributions from Roswell made to Vasquez’s campaign.
The Second Congressional District is seen as one of several tossup districts, where the outcome could determine whether Democrats wrest control of the chamber away from Republicans.
In 2024, Vasquez won the district by 4%, even though President Donald Trump, a Republican, carried it by less than 2%.
The Cook Political Report, which provides nonpartisan analysis of congressional races, rates the race in the Second Congressional District as “Lean D.” The website defines the category as one where a race is competitive but where Democrats hold an advantage.
Dems hold cash advantage in two other races
The reports show incumbent Democratic Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Melanie Stansbury with big leads in fundraising over their Republican opponents.
Leger Fernandez, who represents the Third Congressional District took in $131,822 in receipts in the recent May 14 to June 30 reporting period. After spending $109,942, Leger Fernandez entered July with $66,975 in cash on hand. The latest numbers bring to about $1.24 million the amount Leger Fernandez has raised this cycle.
Republican Martin Zamora, a state representative, is hoping to oust Leger Fernandez in November but lagging behind her in fundraising, according to the latest reports. In the most recent reporting period, his campaign raised $7,128, spent $33,453 and closed out June with $242,569 in cash on hand. Zamora’s campaign has taken in $440,623 in total receipts since he entered the race last year.
The Third Congressional district encompasses most of New Mexico north of Albuquerque and extends down the state’s eastern border with Texas, taking in southern Roswell, Artesia and part of Hobbs.
Stansbury also emerged from June ahead of her Republican opponent Ndidiamaka Okpareke in the First Congressional District. The report shows that from May 14 to June 30, Stansbury’s campaign received $189,110 in receipts, spent $91,905 and began July with $416,711 in cash on hand. Stansbury’s campaign has taken in $1.35 million this election cycle.
Okpareke’s campaign took in $24,454 during the reporting period, spent $17,988 and closed out June with $42,741 in cash on hand. She has received $100,340 this cycle.
The First Congressional District includes much of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque but extends south down into northern Roswell and the Apache Mescalero Reservation.
The First and Third Congressional districts are considered “Solid D” by the Cook Political Report, meaning they are not considered competitive in November.
