The Winner

If you live in New Mexico's 1st U.S. House District, you will continue to be represented in Congress by Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), who has been declared the winner of the congressional race, according to the Associated Press. The AP called the race on Nov. 3 at 9:07 p.m. ​

According to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State as of Nov. 4, Stansbury received 178,261 votes, or 63.5%, defeating Republican Ndidiamaka Okpareke, who received 102,301 votes, or 36.5%. Stansbury led by 75,960 votes, or approximately 27.1 percentage points. All 778 precincts had reported, although the results remained preliminary pending certification.

Stansbury's victory keeps New Mexico's 1st Congressional District in Democratic hands as her party regains control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The result secures another term for Stansbury, who has represented the Albuquerque-area district since 2021, and strengthens the incoming Democratic majority. The party's takeover will give Democrats control over House committee leadership, the legislative agenda and congressional oversight of President Donald Trump's administration.

The Race

The Republican nominee was Ndidiamaka Okpareke, who advanced from the June 2 Republican primary without opposition, receiving 31,809 votes. Stansbury was also unopposed in the Democratic primary and received 79,823 votes. Cook Political Report rated the seat Solid Democratic, while Inside Elections also rated it Solid Democratic, and Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Safe Democratic heading into Election Day.

According to Ballotpedia, the district covered all of Torrance County and parts of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Santa Fe, and Valencia counties under its 2020 boundaries. The district's boundaries have since changed after redistricting, although it still includes much of the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Geographic data put the district's total population at about 711,800 and its median household income at about $71,200. The median age is about 41.3; about 39.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher; the unemployment rate is about 5.4%; and about 13.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The district's population is approximately 41.8% Hispanic and 56.3% white.

What's Next

Stansbury's next term begins Jan. 3, 2027, under the 20th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. With Democrats regaining control of the House, Stansbury will serve in the majority as her party assumes committee leadership and greater authority over the legislative agenda and oversight of the Trump administration.

Stansbury said she would focus on protecting lands and waters, fighting for health care, housing, and veterans, conducting oversight, and defending democracy, according to Source New Mexico, which reported her comments on Nov. 3.

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