Our Story

Rebuilding the Majority

After losing the House majority in 2014, Democratic leadership made a deliberate investment in campaign infrastructure, candidate recruitment, and training. The focus was on building strong, well-supported campaigns backed by data, research, communications, and field operations. Those efforts paid off in 2016, when Democrats flipped five seats and regained control of the House. In 2018, the caucus expanded that majority to 46 seats, putting Democrats within reach of a supermajority.

Managing Disruption and Redistricting

The 2020 election cycle presented unprecedented challenges as the COVID-19 pandemic upended traditional field operations nationwide. In New Mexico, Democrats lost one House seat, but the result compared favorably to outcomes in many other states and was widely viewed as a strong performance under the circumstances.

In 2021, redistricting reshaped much of the political landscape. Some districts became more favorable, while others grew more competitive and introduced large numbers of new constituents. With district boundaries finalized late in the process, candidates entered the 2022 cycle facing significant uncertainty. That year’s midterm elections proved especially difficult, marked by national headwinds, increased opposition spending, and sustained negative campaigning. Despite these challenges, Democrats successfully defended their majority in 2022, retaining 45 seats and re-electing nearly all vulnerable incumbents.

Adapting to a Volatile Environment

Heading into the 2024 election cycle, the caucus built out its operation earlier than in prior years, setting ambitious fundraising goals and expanding staff capacity. As the cycle unfolded, national political dynamics again posed challenges, requiring campaigns to remain flexible and disciplined.

Throughout the year, the organization relied on voter data, polling, targeted communications, and coordinated field efforts to support Democratic candidates across the state. These tools helped campaigns allocate resources strategically and remain competitive in closely contested districts.

Looking Ahead

The 2024 election results reflected a difficult national climate and produced mixed outcomes in New Mexico, including the loss of valued incumbents, particularly in rural areas. While no Republican-held seats changed hands, Democratic campaigns forced significant opposition spending and successfully defended many competitive districts.

Over nearly a decade, our organization has demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and a long-term commitment to electing Democrats who reflect and serve New Mexico’s communities. While the work ahead remains challenging, we continue to focus on protecting and growing our majority so we can deliver meaningful results for New Mexicans.