Who's In the Race

Incumbent Democrat Melanie Stansbury faces Republican Ndidiamaka Ekwua Charlene Okpareke in New Mexico's 1st Congressional District. Stansbury has represented the district in the U.S. House and, before that, served in the New Mexico state Legislature, where she worked on water, poverty, and climate issues. Okpareke is a pharmacist, business owner, and mother whose campaign says she was born to Nigerian immigrants who survived the Biafran War.

What They Stand For

Stansbury describes her priorities as economic development, food and water security, and climate change, according to her official House website. Her issues page also identifies health care, tribal sovereignty, veterans' affairs, voting rights, and good government as policy areas she focuses on.

Okpareke says she would pursue affordable and accessible health care for New Mexico families, per her campaign website. She says she would push for federal investments that create jobs, raise paychecks, and grow New Mexico's economy. Okpareke describes her governing approach as answering to New Mexico voters rather than party leaders in Washington, and says she would vote according to what she believes is right for families regardless of whom it might upset.

The Money Behind the Race

New Mexico outside spending in this race totals $63.34 directed at Democratic candidates, as of Oct. 5. All $63 of that spending supports candidates rather than opposing them.

Two committees account for the full total: GIVEGREEN UNITED ACTION has spent $53.34, and SIERRA CLUB INDEPENDENT ACTION has spent $10. Committee leaderboard figures are totals only and do not by themselves indicate support or opposition.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Three major race-rating services (the Cook Political Report as of Sept. 25, Sabato's Crystal Ball as of Sept. 29, and Inside Elections as of Oct. 2) all rate this race "Solid Democratic." On Kalshi, the prediction market gave Stansbury a 98.21 percent chance of winning and Okpareke a 1.79 percent chance, as of Oct. 5.

Stansbury won the district with about 56 percent of the vote in 2022 and again with about 56 percent in 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried New Mexico with about 52 percent of the vote.

Voting logistics: New Mexico's voter-registration deadline, early-voting dates and hours, and Election Day polling hours for the 1st U.S. House District are listed as not yet published.

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