Mathys says he has signatures for ballot in US House race
Russell Contreras | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years AGO
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces businessman says he has collected enough signatures to qualify to be placed on the ballot in a crucial U.S. House race in southern New Mexico days after failing to obtain enough delegates at a statewide GOP convention.
Chris Mathys told The Associated Press he will submit more than 3,000 signatures and is planning to be on the Republican primary ballot for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional seat. Mathys, former state lawmaker Yvette Herrell and oil executive Claire Chase are seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-Las Cruces.
Mathys dismissed not gaining enough delegates earlier this month and said voters would decide the GOP primary. “Keep in mind the delegates consist of 200, partisan insiders and do not reflect the electorate as a whole,” Mathys said. “This same group did not support President (Donald) Trump during the 2010 Republican primary.”
He said he's in the race to win and will be campaigning directly in the district despite not receiving official state party support.
Herrell earned top billing at a statewide GOP convention on the Republican primary ballot for the 2nd Congressional District. She won twice as many delegate votes as conservative former oil industry lobbyist Chase.
During the GOP primary race this year, Herrell and Chase have been trading shots over who is more supportive of Trump. Herrell has repeatedly pointed to old Facebook posts by Chase criticizing Trump. Chase has pointed to an old email from Herrell seeking support for U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, who was running for president against Trump.
Torres Small defeated Herrell in 2018 by fewer than 3,000 votes to flip a traditionally Republican-leaning district on the U.S. border.
The sprawling district is home to a lucrative oil region but also has some of the most impoverished communities in the U.S. The district houses the highest percentage of Hispanic voters in a state with the highest percentage of Hispanic residents.
___
Follow Russell Contreras on Twitter at http://twitter.com/russcontreras
MORE IMPORTED STORIES
Mathys says he has signatures for ballot in US House race
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 5 years ago
GOP hopeful: Republican Congress showed 'lack of leadership'
Columbia Basin Herald | Updated 5 years ago
ARTICLES BY RUSSELL CONTRERAS
New Mexico rep faces heat for plugging Texas cafe amid virus
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — State Rep. Patricia Roybal Caballero, one of the most liberal lawmakers in New Mexico and who has been dogged by allegations that she doesn't live in the state, is facing criticism for promoting a Texas cafe during coronavirus restrictions.
Mathys says he has signatures for ballot in US House race
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A Las Cruces businessman says he has collected enough signatures to qualify to be placed on the ballot in a crucial U.S. House race in southern New Mexico days after failing to obtain enough delegates at a statewide GOP convention.
New Mexico sees major jump in unemployment claims amid virus
RIO RANCHO, N.M. (AP) — More than 17,000 New Mexico residents have applied for unemployment benefits — more than 19 times the amount filed the previous week — amid the widespread economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus, officials said Thursday.