Teresa Leger Fernandez

In the 2024 House race for NM-3, Teresa Leger Fernandez (D) defeated Sharon E. Clahchischilliage (R) 56.3% to 43.7%. Teresa Leger Fernandez received 162,342 votes compared to 126,085 for Sharon E. Clahchischilliage, a comfortable 12.6-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

As the incumbent, Teresa Leger Fernandez benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2022 House race for NM-3, Teresa Leger Fernandez (D) defeated Alexis Martinez Johnson (R) 58.2% to 41.8%. Teresa Leger Fernandez received 134,217 votes compared to 96,565 for Alexis Martinez Johnson, a comfortable 16.3-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

As the incumbent, Teresa Leger Fernandez benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Teresa Leger Fernandez won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office).

In the 2020 House race for NM-3, Teresa Leger Fernandez (D) defeated Alexis Martinez Johnson (R) 58.7% to 41.3%. Teresa Leger Fernandez received 186,282 votes compared to 131,166 for Alexis Martinez Johnson, a comfortable 17.4-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.