Legality of Cannabis by U.S. Jurisdiction

Not to be confused with 2008 United States Senate election in New Mexico.

2008 New Mexico Senate election
← 2004 November 4, 2008 2012 →
All 42 seats in the New Mexico Senate
22 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Timothy Jennings Stuart Ingle
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat 32nd - Roswell 27th - Portales
Last election 24 18
Seats before 24 18
Seats won 27 15
Seat change Increase3 Decrease3
Popular vote 402,496 266,663
Percentage 60.15% 39.85%
President pro tempore before election

Timothy Jennings
Democratic

Elected President pro tempore

Timothy Jennings
Democratic

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The 2008 New Mexico Senate election took place as part of the biennial United States elections. New Mexico voters elected state senators in all 42 of the state senate's districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the New Mexico Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S House, and state house.[1]

A primary election on June 3, 2008, determined which candidates appeared on the November 4th general election ballot.

Results summary[edit]

District Incumbent Party Elected senator Party
1 William Sharer Rep William Sharer Rep
2 Steven Neville Rep Steven Neville Rep
3 John Pinto Dem John Pinto Dem
4 Lidio Rainaldi Dem George Muñoz Dem
5 Richard Martinez Dem Richard Martinez Dem
6 Carlos Cisneros Dem Carlos Cisneros Dem
7 Clinton Harden Rep Clinton Harden Rep
8 Pete Campos Dem Pete Campos Dem
9 Steve Komadina Rep John Sapien Dem
10 John Ryan Rep John Ryan Rep
11 Linda Lopez Dem Linda Lopez Dem
12 Jerry Ortiz y Pino Dem Jerry Ortiz y Pino Dem
13 Dede Feldman Dem Dede Feldman Dem
14 James Taylor Dem Eric Griego Dem
15 Diane Snyder Rep Tim Eichenberg Dem
16 Cisco McSorley Dem Cisco McSorley Dem
17 Shannon Robinson Dem Tim Keller Dem
18 Mark Boitano Rep Mark Boitano Rep
19 Sue Wilson Beffort Rep Sue Wilson Beffort Rep
20 William Payne Rep William Payne Rep
21 Kent Cravens Rep Kent Cravens Rep
22 Lynda Lovejoy Dem Lynda Lovejoy Dem
23 Joseph Carraro Rep Sander Rue Rep
24 Nancy Rodriguez Dem Nancy Rodriguez Dem
25 John Grubesic Dem Peter Wirth Dem
26 Bernadette Sanchez Dem Bernadette Sanchez Dem
27 Stuart Ingle Rep Stuart Ingle Rep
28 Howie Morales Dem Howie Morales Dem
29 Michael Sanchez Dem Michael Sanchez Dem
30 David Ulibarri Dem David Ulibarri Dem
31 Cynthia Nava Dem Cynthia Nava Dem
32 Timothy Jennings Dem Timothy Jennings Dem
33 Rod Adair Rep Rod Adair Rep
34 Vernon Asbill Rep Vernon Asbill Rep
35 John Arthur Smith Dem John Arthur Smith Dem
36 Mary Jane Garcia Dem Mary Jane Garcia Dem
37 Leonard Lee Rawson Rep Stephen Fischmann Dem
38 Mary Kay Papen Dem Mary Kay Papen Dem
39 Phil Griego Dem Phil Griego Dem
40 Dianna Duran Rep Dianna Duran Rep
41 Carroll Leavell Rep Carroll Leavell Rep
42 Gay Kernan Rep Gay Kernan Rep
Party Candi-
dates		 Votes Seats
No. % No. +/– %
Democratic 31 402,496 60.15% 25 Increase3 64.29%
Republican 23 266,663 39.85% 17 Decrease3 35.71%
Total 54 669,159 100% 42 Steady 100%
Popular vote
Democratic
 
 60.15%
Republican
 
 39.85%
Senate seats
Democratic
 
 64.29%
Republican
 
 35.71%

Retiring incumbents[edit]

Incumbents defeated in the primary election[edit]

Incumbents defeated in the general election[edit]

Detailed results[edit]

District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40 • District 41 • District 42

Source for primary election results:[2] Source for general election results:[3]

District 1[edit]

Incumbent Republican William Sharer has represented the 1st district since 2001.

New Mexico Senate 1st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Sharer (incumbent) 14,032 100%
Total votes 14,032 100%
Republican hold

District 2[edit]

Incumbent Republican Steven Neville has represented the 2nd district since 2005.

New Mexico Senate 2nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steven Neville (incumbent) 14,223 100%
Total votes 14,223 100%
Republican hold

District 3[edit]

Incumbent Democrat John Pinto has represented the 3rd district since 1977.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 3rd district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Pinto (incumbent) 2,869 78.52%
Democratic Willis Nez 785 21.48%
Total votes 3,654 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 3rd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Pinto (incumbent) 12,121 100%
Total votes 12,121 100%
Democratic hold

District 4[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Lidio Rainaldi has represented the 4th district since 2001. Rainaldi didn't seek re-election and fellow Democrat George Muñoz won the open seat.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 4th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Muñoz 1,933 43.19%
Democratic Virginia Ballenger 1,547 34.56%
Democratic Laverne Wyaco 687 15.35%
Democratic Edward Smith 309 6.90%
Total votes 4,476 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 4th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Muñoz 10,897 75.61%
Republican Beatrice Woodward 3,515 24.39%
Total votes 14,412 100%
Democratic hold

District 5[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Richard Martinez has represented the 5th district since 2001.

New Mexico Senate 5th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Martinez (incumbent) 14,975 100%
Total votes 14,975 100%
Democratic hold

District 6[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Carlos Cisneros has represented the 6th district since 1985.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 6th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carlos Cisneros (incumbent) 3,855 52.48%
Democratic Erminio Martinez 2,648 36.05%
Democratic Archie Velarde 843 11.48%
Total votes 7,346 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 6th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Carlos Cisneros (incumbent) 18,037 100%
Total votes 18,037 100%
Democratic hold

District 7[edit]

Incumbent Republican Clinton Harden has represented the 7th district since 2003.

New Mexico Senate 7th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clinton Harden (incumbent) 10,891 59.07%
Democratic Thomas Jeffrey Carr 7,547 40.93%
Total votes 18,438 100%
Republican hold

District 8[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Pete Campos has represented the 8th district since 1991.

New Mexico Senate 8th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pete Campos (incumbent) 13,254 100%
Total votes 13,254 100%
Democratic hold

District 9[edit]

Incumbent Republican Steve Komadina has represented the 9th district since 2001. Komadina lost re-election to Democrat John Sapien.

Republican primary
New Mexico Senate 9th district Republican primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Steve Komadina (incumbent) 2,085 71.75%
Republican J. Barry Bitzer 821 28.25%
Total votes 2,906 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 9th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Sapien 11,981 50.25%
Republican Steve Komadina (incumbent) 11,860 49.75%
Total votes 23,841 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 10[edit]

Incumbent Republican John Ryan has represented the 10th district since 2005.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 10th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Victor Paul Raigoza 1,991 51.78%
Democratic Joel Davis 1,854 48.22%
Total votes 3,845 100%
Republican primary
New Mexico Senate 10th district Republican primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Ryan (incumbent) 2,672 65.09%
Republican Robert Kevin Sikes 1,433 34.91%
Total votes 4,105 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 10th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Ryan (incumbent) 13,776 51.22%
Democratic Victor Paul Raigoza 13,120 48.78%
Total votes 26,896 100%
Republican hold

District 11[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Linda Lopez has represented the 11th district since 1997.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 10th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Linda Lopez (incumbent) 1,886 53.25%
Democratic Michael Padilla 1,656 46.75%
Total votes 3,542 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 11th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Linda Lopez (incumbent) 14,253 100%
Total votes 14,253 100%
Democratic hold

District 12[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Jerry Ortiz y Pino has represented the 12th district since 2005.

New Mexico Senate 12th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jerry Ortiz y Pino (incumbent) 12,828 100%
Total votes 12,828 100%
Democratic hold

District 13[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Dede Feldman has represented the 13th district since 1997.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 13th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dede Feldman (incumbent) 4,282 79.08%
Democratic Carlos Cordova 1,133 20.92%
Total votes 5,415 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 13th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dede Feldman (incumbent) 17,412 100%
Total votes 17,412 100%
Democratic hold

District 14[edit]

Incumbent Democrat James Taylor has represented the 14th district since 2005. Taylor lost re-nomination to fellow Democrat Eric Griego, who was unopposed in the general election.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 14th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eric Griego 2,111 62.36%
Democratic James Taylor (incumbent) 1,274 37.64%
Total votes 3,385 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 14th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eric Griego 10,807 100%
Total votes 10,807 100%
Democratic hold

District 15[edit]

Incumbent Republican Diane Snyder has represented the 15th district since 2001. Snyder lost re-election to Democrat Tim Eichenberg.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 15th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Eichenberg 2,413 59.36%
Democratic John Blair 1,652 40.64%
Total votes 4,065 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 15th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Eichenberg 12,643 56.52%
Republican Diane Snyder (incumbent) 9,728 43.48%
Total votes 22,371 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 16[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Cisco McSorley has represented the 16th district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 16th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cisco McSorley (incumbent) 16,369 100%
Total votes 16,369 100%
Democratic hold

District 17[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Shannon Robinson has represented the 17th district since 1989. Robinson lost re-nomination to fellow Democrat Tim Keller, who was unopposed in the general election.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 17th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller 1,614 65.99%
Democratic Shannon Robinson (incumbent) 832 34.01%
Total votes 2,446 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 17th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tim Keller 9,275 100%
Total votes 9,275 100%
Democratic hold

District 18[edit]

Incumbent Republican Mark Boitano has represented the 18th district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 18th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Boitano (incumbent) 13,980 100%
Total votes 13,980 100%
Republican hold

District 19[edit]

Incumbent Republican Sue Wilson Beffort has represented the 19th district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 19th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sue Wilson Beffort (incumbent) 14,266 60.39%
Democratic Jason Michael Burnette 9,357 39.61%
Total votes 23,623 100%
Republican hold

District 20[edit]

Incumbent Republican William Payne has represented the 20th district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 20th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Payne (incumbent) 14,068 100%
Total votes 14,068 100%
Republican hold

District 21[edit]

Incumbent Republican Kent Cravens has represented the 21st district since 2001.

New Mexico Senate 21st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kent Cravens (incumbent) 15,638 56.96%
Democratic Jessica Lynn Wolfe 11,818 43.04%
Total votes 27,456 100%
Republican hold

District 22[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Lynda Lovejoy has represented the 22nd district since her appointment in 2007 following the resignation of Leonard Tsosie. Lovejoy was elected to a full term.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 22nd district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lynda Lovejoy (incumbent) 1,883 36.52%
Democratic Everett Chavez 1,484 28.78%
Democratic Joshua Madalena 1,173 22.75%
Democratic Billy Moore 616 11.95%
Total votes 5,156 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 22nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lynda Lovejoy (incumbent) 16,908 100%
Total votes 16,908 100%
Democratic hold

District 23[edit]

Incumbent Republican Joseph Carraro has represented the 23rd district since 1993. Carraro retired to run for Congress and fellow Republican Sander Rue won the open seat.

Republican primary
New Mexico Senate 23rd district Republican primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sander Rue 2,218 53.73%
Republican David Trenton Pyne 1,910 46.27%
Total votes 4,128 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 23rd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Sander Rue 22,338 100%
Total votes 22,338 100%
Republican hold

District 24[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Nancy Rodriguez has represented the 24th district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 24th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nancy Rodriguez (incumbent) 15,852 100%
Total votes 15,852 100%
Democratic hold

District 25[edit]

Incumbent Democratic John Grubesic has represented the 25th district since 2005. Grubesic didn't seek re-election and Democratic State Representative Peter Wirth won the open seat.

New Mexico Senate 25th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter Wirth 24,902 100%
Total votes 24,902 100%
Democratic hold

District 26[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Bernadette Sanchez has represented the 26th district since 2001.

New Mexico Senate 26th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bernadette Sanchez (incumbent) 13,750 75.68%
Republican Spiro Gregory Vassilopoulos 4,419 24.32%
Total votes 18,169 100%
Democratic hold

District 27[edit]

Incumbent Republican Minority Leader Stuart Ingle has represented the 27th district since 1985.

New Mexico Senate 27th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stuart Ingle (incumbent) 9,466 100%
Total votes 9,466 100%
Republican hold

District 28[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Howie Morales has represented the 28th district since his appointment in 2008 following the death of Ben Altamirano. Morales was elected to a full term.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 28th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Howie Morales (incumbent) 4,912 88.00%
Democratic Christopher Aquino 670 12.00%
Total votes 5,582 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 28th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Howie Morales (incumbent) 13,546 66.61%
Republican Joseph Gros 6,790 33.39%
Total votes 20,336 100%
Democratic hold

District 29[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Michael Sanchez has represented the 29th district since 1993.

New Mexico Senate 29th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Sanchez (incumbent) 14,633 100%
Total votes 14,633 100%
Democratic hold

District 30[edit]

Incumbent Democrat David Ulibarri has represented the 30th district since his appointment in 2006 following the resignation of Joseph Fidel. Ulibarri was elected to a full term.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 30th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Ulibarri (incumbent) 1,662 36.19%
Democratic Clemente Sanchez 1,654 36.02%
Democratic June Lorenzo 1,276 27.79%
Total votes 4,592 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 30th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Ulibarri (incumbent) 8,262 52.59%
Republican Jose Silva 7,447 47.41%
Total votes 15,709 100%
Democratic hold

District 31[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Cynthia Nava has represented the 31st district since 1993.

New Mexico Senate 31st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Cynthia Nava (incumbent) 7,550 100%
Total votes 7,550 100%
Democratic hold

District 32[edit]

Incumbent Democrat and President pro tempore Timothy Jennings has represented the 32nd district since 1979.

New Mexico Senate 32nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Timothy Jennings (incumbent) 8,721 100%
Total votes 8,721 100%
Democratic hold

District 33[edit]

Incumbent Republican Rod Adair has represented the 33rd district since 1997.

Republican primary
New Mexico Senate New Mexico Senate 33rd district Republican primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rod Adair (incumbent) 3,335 53.47%
Republican Rory McMinn 2,902 46.53%
Total votes 6,237 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate New Mexico Senate 33rd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Rod Adair (incumbent) 14,274 100%
Total votes 14,274 100%
Republican hold

District 34[edit]

Incumbent Republican Vernon Asbill has represented the 34th district since 2005.

New Mexico Senate 34th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Vernon Asbill (incumbent) 14,122 100%
Total votes 14,122 100%
Republican hold

District 35[edit]

Incumbent Democrat John Arthur Smith has represented the 35th district since 1989.

New Mexico Senate 35th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Arthur Smith (incumbent) 10,636 100%
Total votes 10,636 100%
Democratic hold

District 36[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Mary Jane Garcia has represented the 36th district since 1989.

Democratic primary
New Mexico Senate 36th district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Jane Garcia (incumbent) 1,960 67.75%
Democratic Oscar Vasquez Butler 933 32.25%
Total votes 2,893 100%
General election
New Mexico Senate 36th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Jane Garcia (incumbent) 9,411 54.88%
Republican Lee Cotter 7,736 45.12%
Total votes 17,147 100%
Democratic hold

District 37[edit]

Incumbent Republican Leonard Lee Rawson has represented the 37th district since 1993. Rawson lost re-election to Democrat Stephen Fischmann.

New Mexico Senate 37th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen Fischmann 13,229 51.13%
Republican Leonard Lee Rawson (incumbent) 12,643 48.87%
Total votes 25,872 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 38[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Mary Kay Papen has represented the 38th district since 2001.

New Mexico Senate 38th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mary Kay Papen (incumbent) 12,157 100%
Total votes 12,157 100%
Democratic hold

District 39[edit]

Incumbent Democrat Phil Griego has represented the 39th district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 39th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Phil Griego (incumbent) 16,245 100%
Total votes 16,245 100%
Democratic hold

District 40[edit]

Incumbent Republican Dianna Duran has represented the 40th district since 1993.

New Mexico Senate 40th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dianna Duran (incumbent) 10,230 100%
Total votes 10,230 100%
Republican hold

District 41[edit]

Incumbent Republican Carroll Leavell has represented the 41st district since 1997.

New Mexico Senate 41st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Carroll Leavell (incumbent) 8,702 100%
Total votes 8,702 100%
Republican hold

District 42[edit]

Incumbent Republican Gay Kernan has represented the th district since 2002.

New Mexico Senate 42nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gay Kernan (incumbent) 12,519 100%
Total votes 12,519 100%
Republican hold

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "New Mexico State Senate elections, 2008". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  2. ^ "Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 3, 2008 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
  3. ^ "Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 4, 2008 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). New Mexico Secretary of State. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_New_Mexico_Senate_election