Who's In the Race
New Mexico's 3rd U.S. House District is heading to a general election on Nov. 3, with Democratic incumbent Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) set to face off against Republican challenger Martin Zamora.
Leger Fernández, a 17th generation New Mexican native, has represented the district since 2021. After graduating from Yale and Stanford Law School, Leger Fernández worked as a public-interest attorney focused on voting rights, tribal sovereignty and environmental matters. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on June 2. Zamora has served as a New Mexico state representative for House District 63 since 2019 and also ran unopposed in the Republican primary on June 2.
What They Stand For
Leger Fernández serves on the House Rules Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources as the Ranking Member of its Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. According to her campaign website, Leger Fernández supports equitable and universal healthcare regardless of income. Leger Fernández is also pro-choice, supporting reproductive care options such as IVF and birth control as well. On immigration, Leger Fernández's campaign site says that in order to deter the flow of fentanyl and other illicit substances into the country across its southern border, she supports funding to hire 22,000 Border Patrol Agents and an additional 150 Customs and Border Protection Officers. She also supports the U.S. Citizenship Act.
Zamora's campaign website says he will defend agriculture and water rights by protecting private-property rights, reducing federal rules and ensuring producers have the tools to thrive. He has proposed supporting high-paying rural jobs through lower taxes and policies that back small businesses. He has also called for securing the southern border, saying the border situation threatens national security and communities in New Mexico and that he will stand with law enforcement to fight crime and fentanyl trafficking.
The Money Behind the Race
Federal Election Commission filings show Fernández raised about $1.25 million through June 30 and had about $667,000 in the bank, while Zamora raised about $441,000 through June 30 and had about $243,000 on hand.
Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets
The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 25, Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Sept. 29, and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2.
Kalshi traders gave Democrats a 96.46% chance of winning as of Oct. 8.
Leger Fernández carried the district with about 58% of the vote in 2022 and about 56% in 2024. Democrats won all three of New Mexico's U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024. On a national scale, Democratic presidential nominee carried New Mexico with about 52% of the vote in the 2024 presidential race.
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