A veteran Republican lawmaker from Clovis is stepping into the race for New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District, setting up a challenge to far-left Democrat Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez in 2026.
State Rep. Martin Zamora, who has served four terms in the New Mexico House, filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission in July, officially opening the door to fundraising and spending for a congressional bid. The sprawling northern district stretches from the Texas border across the eastern plains and up through much of northern New Mexico, reaching as far south as Hobbs.
Zamora confirmed his plans in an interview, saying he has been preparing for the campaign quietly.
“We are fundraising right now and plan to work hard at winning this seat. We just feel like we need to do some work before we publicly announce,” Zamora said.
Leger Fernandez, an attorney from Santa Fe first elected in 2019, has consistently secured re-election by wide margins. According to federal filings, she began July with nearly half a million dollars in campaign cash.
Zamora, 64, said his decision to run is rooted in faith and service rather than partisanship.
“I respect Theresa for who she is, what she’s done, but I feel like…God put me here, and my opportunity to serve is now, and that’s why I’m stepping up to the plate,” he explained.
A farmer and rancher by trade, Zamora won his seat in 2018 by defeating Democrat George Dodge Jr. He currently represents District 63, covering parts of Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, and San Miguel counties. In the Legislature, Zamora serves as the ranking Republican on the House Agriculture, Acequias, and Water Resources Committee. He has consistently opposed the state budget and pushed, unsuccessfully, to allow public dollars for homeschool and private school students.
Earlier this year, one of his bills was signed into law by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, authorizing the New Mexico Finance Authority to provide loans and grants for dozens of water projects across the state.
Though Democrats hold a 14-point registration advantage in the district, Zamora says he sees a path forward.
“We have a lot of people, even Democrats, who have given us a handshake and told us that they’re going to support us,” he said.
The post Longtime Republican lawmaker files to run against Leger Fernandez appeared first on Piñon Post.
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