Over Half of New Mexicans Feel Less Safe Than 5 Years Ago, Poll Reveals
New Mexico – More than half of New Mexicans feel less safe now than they did five years ago, according to a new Emerson College/The Hill poll released on Friday.
Nearly 1,000 residents from across the state were surveyed to gauge their views on key issues in the upcoming election and their opinions on current candidates.
KRQE’s Political Analyst Gabe Sanchez provided insights into the poll results, noting that the economy and crime are the top concerns for New Mexicans, aligning with national trends.
“Fresh numbers from the Emerson College Poll, statewide, of New Mexico voters. The big topline everyone wants to know is the presidential race,” Sanchez said.
The survey, conducted by Emerson College Polling and The Hill between Tuesday and Thursday, revealed that Vice President Kamala Harris holds a 10% lead over former President Donald Trump in New Mexico.
“Before that shift at the top of the ticket, there was speculation that New Mexico might be in play for Former President Trump. This shift from President Biden to Kamala Harris seems to have bolstered Democratic chances, not just in New Mexico but nationally,” Sanchez added.
According to the poll, 53% of New Mexicans feel less safe than they did five years ago. The most pressing issues identified by respondents are the economy, followed by crime.
“At the end of the day, when you ask voters how they feel and what they care about, they’re thinking about their personal experiences—do I feel safer? Has my car been broken into? Has someone I know been burglarized? That’s how New Mexico voters are approaching these issues, rather than relying on FBI statistics,” Sanchez explained.
When asked about Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s performance, 49% of respondents disapproved, while 41% approved, with the remainder expressing no opinion.
“Our governor’s approval rating has dipped quite a bit. Generally, we get concerned when elected officials drop below 50% approval,” Sanchez noted. “I was surprised to see her approval rating that low, but it’s consistent with trends we’ve seen over time.”
The poll also shows Democratic candidates leading U.S. House and Senate races by margins of 10 to 15 points. Sanchez highlighted the close race in New Mexico’s Congressional District Two, between U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez and challenger Yvette Herrell, where Vasquez holds a 10% lead, though Sanchez expects the race to tighten.
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich also has a 12% lead over challenger Nella Domenici. “This is about where I expected the race to be. Senator Heinrich has strong name recognition and a solid legislative record, making him a strong candidate,” Sanchez said.
The poll results were collected via cell phone, landline, and online responses, with data sets reflecting 2024 voter modeling. The breakdown of respondents followed party affiliations, including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents.
The Hill, which partnered in conducting this poll, is owned by KRQE’s parent company, Nexstar.
