- New Mexico elects Democrat Luján to US Senate, backs Biden
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico promoted U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján to the U.S. Senate in Tuesday´s election in a victory for Democrats as Joe Biden won the state's Electoral College delegates. Also on Tuesday, Republican Yvette Herrell wrestled the state's southern congressional district away from first-term Congresswoman Xochitl Torres Small. Luján defeated Republican former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti and Libertarian scientist Bob Walsh in a victory that marks a resurgence of Latino political leadership in a state with the largest share of Hispanic residents. Two Democratic state Supreme Court justices kept their seats in election victories.
- New Mexico makes history with all-female US House team
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico is sending an all-female U.S. House delegation to Congress, including a Republican who defeated incumbent U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in what was one of the most watched races in the nation. The contest between former state lawmaker Yvette Herrell and the first-term congresswoman was a 2018 rematch that was decided by turnout. Voter participation in the Democrat-leaning state broke records, as new Republican registrations in the 2nd District outpaced Democrats. In the other two races, Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez won the 3rd District to succeed U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján and Democratic U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland was reelected in the 1st District.
- New Mexico sets record for daily COVID-19 cases amid surge
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico has set a new record for the number of COVID-19 cases reported in a single day. State health officials reported an additional 1,141 cases Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 49,240 since the pandemic began. New Mexico has been dealing with a surge for weeks now despite having some of the toughest public health restrictions in place, including mandates that call for face coverings and limited interaction with others. The death toll related to the virus also has increased to 1,045 and hospitalizations topped 400 to reach a new high Tuesday. Officials have been concerned about added pressure on the health care system.
- Navajo energy company to acquire shares in coal power plant
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — The Navajo Nation would expand its investment in coal-fired electricity generation as part of a plan to acquire more shares in one of the Southwest's last remaining coal power plants. The tribe's Navajo Transitional Energy Co. has negotiated an agreement with New Mexico's largest electric utility to take on the utility's share of the Four Corners Power Plant in 2024. If approved by state regulators, the transaction would preserve jobs at the plant and the adjacent tribally-owned mine for several more years. Many of the workers are Navajo. The deal would also allow the New Mexico utility a faster exit from coal.
- Navajo Nation lawmakers approve casino reopening plan
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Lawmakers on the Navajo Nation have approved legislation to reopen the tribe's four casinos. The action Monday came despite a tribal health expert warning that the coronavirus is spreading uncontrollably. Navajo President Jonathan Nez has not said whether he'll support the measure. The tribe reported 47 additional cases of the coronavirus as of Monday and three confirmed deaths. The latest figures bring the total number of reported cases to 11,875 and the known death toll to 584 on the reservation. A shelter-in-place order, mask mandate, daily curfews and weekend lockdowns remain in effect on the reservation that extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
- New Mexico makes history with all-female US House team
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Republican Yvette Herrell has staged an upset to win a contested race for a U.S. House seat in New Mexico. Herrell defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small in a 2018 rematch to flip back the 2nd District seat that represents the southern half of the state. In the other two House races, Democrat Teresa Leger Fernandez won a seat in the 3rd Congressional District to succeed U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján and Democratic U.S. Rep. Debra Haaland was reelected in the 1st District, as the state sends its first all-female U.S. House delegation to Congress.
- Democrats keep New Mexico Senate seat, back Biden
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján has won the U.S. Senate race in New Mexico to succeed retiring Sen. Tom Udall. The six-term congressman from northern New Mexico defeated Republican former television meteorologist Mark Ronchetti and Libertarian scientist Bob Walsh. Luján rose to the No. 4 position in Democratic House leadership and ran uncontested in the primary before being endorsed by Udall in the general election. Luján's election marks a resurgence of Latino political leadership in a state with the largest share of Hispanic residents. The widely watched congressional contest in southern New Mexico was too early to call.
- US judge blocks Trump immigration rule on public benefits
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal judge in Chicago has struck down a Trump administration rule that would deny green cards to immigrants who use food stamps or other public benefits. In a decision Monday that applies nationwide, the judge says the rule violates the Administrative Procedure Act, among other things. It's the latest turn in a complex legal battle over the rule that had taken effect recently after the U.S. Supreme Court reversed a hold on the policy. A lawsuit in Chicago had been filed by immigrant rights advocates and Cook County. A U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services spokesman said the agency would comply with the ruling.