Gabriel VasquezServing

Gabriel Vasquez

U.S. HouseDemocrat

NM-02 U.S. House

Age 41·Mexican-American·U.S. Representative, NM-02 (2023-present)

Why This Race Matters

Gabriel Vasquez is running against Republican primary: Eddy Aragon (R, conservative radio host), Greg Cunningham (R, former APD detective), Jose Orozco (R); Democratic primary: Tom Wakely (D, Air Force veteran).

Vasquez holds one of the most competitive swing seats in the nation, rated Toss-Up by Cook Political Report. NM-02 is one of only 13 districts nationwide that voted for Trump in 2024 but elected a Democratic congressperson. His 2024 victory by 11,032 votes despite Trump winning the district demonstrates his crossover appeal in a 60% Hispanic district.

First Democrat to win NM-02 in consecutive terms. NRCC has targeted this seat as a top flip opportunity for 2026. Vasquez launched his 2026 campaign in September 2025 emphasizing bipartisan record and calling himself "the most bipartisan member of New Mexico's delegation."

Key dates to watch: Primary on June 2, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.

About

Gabriel "Gabe" Vasquez is a first-generation Mexican-American serving as U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District since 2023. Born in El Paso, Texas, he was the first in his family born in the United States and grew up on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, spending much of his childhood in his grandfather's TV repair shop in Ciudad Juarez's Chavena neighborhood. A former journalist and conservationist, he co-founded the Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project to connect Hispanic communities to public lands and outdoor recreation.

Family & Heritage

Born in El Paso, Texas as the first in his family born in the United States. Grew up in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, spending time in his grandfather Javier Banuelos's TV repair shop. Grandfather originally from Zacatecas, Mexico, transitioned from farming to working as a mailman before establishing his repair business. Developed childhood passion for outdoors while fishing with his father and learning about hunting from his grandfather.

Political Career

Before Politics

Editor-in-Chief, The Round Up (NMSU student newspaper); Business Editor, Las Cruces Bulletin (2008-2011); Executive Director, Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces (2011); Field Representative, Senator Martin Heinrich (2013-2015); VP of Communications, First Focus (2015-2016); Director of Community Relations, New Mexico Wildlife Federation (2016-2018); Deputy Director, The Wilderness Society NM Chapter (2018-2019); Deputy Director, Western Conservation Foundation (2019-2021); Co-Founder, Nuestra Tierra Conservation Project (2017)

Education

B.A. in English and Journalism, New Mexico State University (2008)

Key Issues & Priorities

*Immigration reform and border security
*Public lands conservation and outdoor recreation access
*Affordable healthcare
*Economic opportunity for working families
*Clean energy transition
*Supporting military installations

Suggest an Edit