Closest U.S. Senate elections in New Mexico
The closest U.S. Senate election in New Mexico history was in 1934, a margin of 0.85 points. Bronson Cutting beat Dennis Chavez, 76,228 to 74,944. Next closest are 1952 (2.2 points) and 1924 (2.4 points).
Every state is ranked together on Closest U.S. Senate elections in history. For every Senate race New Mexico has held, special elections included, see the New Mexico U.S. Senate hub.
What is the closest Senate race in New Mexico history?
The New Mexico Senate election decided by the narrowest margin was in 1934, 0.85 points. Bronson Cutting beat Dennis Chavez, 76,228 to 74,944. The next closest were 1952 (2.2 points) and 1924 (2.4 points).
How is the margin measured?
As the gap in vote share between the first and second-place finishers, from the certified general-election count. It is not adjusted for recounts, runoffs or later court rulings; the figure is the result as certified.
Does this include special elections?
No. These are the regular general elections for New Mexico’s two Senate seats. Special elections to fill a vacancy appear on the New Mexico Senate hub, which lists every race including specials, and in a few states one of those is closer than anything here.
Why does the list start in 1914?
Because senators were chosen by state legislatures before the Seventeenth Amendment. 1914 is the first cycle of the popular-vote era for the Senate, so it is the first New Mexico election with a popular margin to measure.
| # | Election | Result | Votes | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1934 | Bronson Cutting R def. Dennis Chavez D | 76,228 – 74,944 | 0.85 points |
| 2 | 1952 | Dennis Chavez D def. Patrick J. Hurley R | 122,543 – 117,168 | 2.2 points |
| 3 | 1924 | Sam G. Bratton D def. Holm O. Bursum R | 57,355 – 54,558 | 2.4 points |
| 4 | 1946 | Dennis Chavez D def. Patrick J. Hurley R | 68,650 – 64,632 | 3.0 points |
| 5 | 1918 | Albert B. Fall R def. W. B. Walton D | 24,322 – 22,470 | 3.9 points |
| 6 | 1916 | Andrieus A. Jones D def. Frank A. Hubbell R | 33,981 – 30,609 | 5.1 points |
| 7 | 1970 | Joseph M. Montoya D def. Anderson Carter R | 151,486 – 135,004 | 5.7 points |
| 8 | 2012 | Martin Heinrich D def. Heather A. Wilson R | 395,717 – 351,260 | 5.7 points |
| 9 | 2020 | Ben Ray Luján D def. Mark V Ronchetti R | 474,483 – 418,483 | 6.1 points |
| 10 | 1966 | Clinton P. Anderson D def. Anderson Carter R | 137,205 – 120,988 | 6.3 points |
| 11 | 1978 | Pete V Domenici R def. Toney Anaya D | 183,442 – 160,045 | 6.8 points |
| 12 | 1982 | Jeff Bingaman D def. Harrison Jack Schmitt R | 217,682 – 187,128 | 7.5 points |
| 13 | 1994 | Jeff Bingaman D def. Colin R. McMillan R | 249,989 – 213,025 | 8.0 points |
| 14 | 1972 | Pete V Domenici R def. Jack Daniels D | 204,253 – 173,815 | 8.1 points |
| 15 | 1964 | Joseph M. Montoya D def. Edwin L. Mechem R | 178,209 – 147,562 | 9.4 points |
| 16 | 2024 | Martin Heinrich D def. Nella Louise Domenici R | 497,333 – 405,978 | 10.1 points |
| 17 | 1922 | Andrieus A. Jones D def. Stephen B. Davis R | 60,969 – 48,721 | 11.1 points |
| 18 | 2014 | Tom Udall D def. Allen E. Weh R | 286,409 – 229,097 | 11.1 points |
| 19 | 1940 | Dennis Chavez D def. Albert K. Mitchell R | 103,194 – 81,257 | 11.9 points |
| 20 | 1976 | Harrison Jack Schmitt R def. Joseph M. Montoya D | 234,681 – 176,382 | 14.1 points |
| 21 | 1954 | Clinton P. Anderson D def. Edwin L. Mechem R | 111,351 – 83,071 | 14.5 points |
| 22 | 1948 | Clinton P. Anderson D def. Patrick J. Hurley R | 108,269 – 80,226 | 14.8 points |
| 23 | 1928 | Bronson Cutting R def. Jethro S. Vaught D | 68,070 – 49,913 | 15.4 points |
| 24 | 1930 | Sam G. Bratton D def. Herbert B. Holt R | 69,362 – 48,699 | 17.5 points |
| 25 | 1942 | Carl A. Hatch D def. J. Benson Newell R | 63,301 – 43,704 | 18.3 points |