Marine combat veteran bets big on Hispanic outreach in bid to flip Dem-held House seat
A congressional candidate in New Mexico is betting that his Hispanic ties — and military background — are just the thing historically Democratic voters will need to go Republican in the fall."I connect with them on that level.They wanted somebody with law enforcement or military experience, which, you now know, I have both," Greg Cunningham said, referring to the Hispanic community in the state’s 2nd Congressional District."One of the reasons that I decided to run — that I feel so strongly about this is, you know, Hispanic culture is at its core a conservative culture."Cunningham’s hope that the GOP can win over the Hispanic vote, a historically Democratic voting bloc, continues longstanding efforts from Republicans to flip the script among minorities, especially in fringe districts that could decide the balance of power in 2026.GOP congressional candidate Greg Cunningham, left, pictured next to a 'Latinos for Trump' sign, right.
(Fox News; Yi-Chin Lee/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)That’s especially true in New Mexico’s second congressional district — currently held by Rep.Gabe Vasquez, D-N.M.It’s one of thirteen that voted for President Donald Trump in 2024, but that sent a Democratic representative to Congress anyway.
The Cook Political Report indicates the district "leans" Democratic, despite a D+0 rating.Cunningham, who became the default GOP candidate after a lone primary challenger dropped out in April, will be the first new GOP candidate voters will consider since 2018.Former Rep.
Yvette Herrell, who has been the candidate since then, last lost in 2024 by 4.2% to Vasquez.Cunningham believes his background is uniquely suited to the challenges of the district.A Marine reconnaissance veteran who served in combat, Cunningham joined the Albuquerque Police Department, spent years on patrol and narcotics, worked as a DEA task force officer on federal drug and cartel cases and later operated in undercover roles before transitioning into priv...