Monopoly Politics New Mexico 2000
3 seats: 2R, 1D 50-50
Republican Bill Redmond's upset win in a 1997 special election gave the state its first one-party House delegation since 1980, but Democrat Thomas Udall took back the Democratic-leaning seat back in 1998. Strong performances by the Green Party in special elections in 1997 and 1998 have cost Democrats because of the "zero sum" nature of plurality elections – their success has led prominent Democrats to support instant runoff voting, a voting method that would eliminate concerns about "spoiler" candidacies.1. Heather Wilson (R), 1998 | Vulnerable | |||||
'98: 48 | ['96: R 57 | '94: R 74 | '92: R 63] | R 51 | ||
2. Joe Skeen (R), 1980 | Comfortable | |||||
'98: 58 | '96: 56 | '94: 63 | '92: 57 | R 53 | ||
3. Thomas Udall (D), 1998 | Comfortable | |||||
'98: 53 C ['97: R 43 | '96: D 67 | '94: D 64 | '92: D 67] | D 54 |