Poll: GOP’s Pearce Widening His Lead in N.M.

Prospects look good for Republican candidate Steve Pearce to take back his seat from Democratic Rep. Harry Teague in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District. A new Tarrance Group poll taken for Pearce shows him leading 50 percent to 41 percent, Roll Call reports. That’s the biggest advantage Pearce has shown in a public poll.

The race has attracted national attention, with both parties’ national campaign committees putting money into the race. Several business and environmental groups also have made independent expenditures.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has a presence in the district now, but the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee stopped its ad campaign in the district’s two media markets, Albuquerque and El Paso.

Teague was elected in 2008, when Pearce left the seat to run for Senate. Pearce lost that race to Democrat Tom Udall.