Toulouse Oliver drops out
Candidate withdraws from bid to replace Tom Udall in the U.S. Senate
New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver said Tuesday that she was ending her campaign for the U.S. Senate.
“When I entered the race for U.S. Senate, I was the only candidate supporting Medicare for All; I was the only candidate rejecting corporate PAC money; and I was the only candidate calling for impeachment,” she said in a news release. “Over the course of this campaign, that has changed. We have elevated the issues of health care as a human right, of holding the president accountable, and of keeping big money out of politics.”
Her departure leaves Rep. Ben Ray Luján as the only announced Democratic candidate. The 3rd Congressional District representative has endorsed Medicare for All legislation, rejected corporate PAC money after announcing his bid to replace Sen. Tom Udall in the spring, and announced support of the impeachment inquiry in August. Toulouse Oliver endorsed Luján.
“First and foremost, Maggie Toulouse Oliver is a friend,” Luján said in a statement. “In this campaign, Maggie stood up for our values — like health care for all and addressing the climate crisis. Her voice made our democratic process stronger, and I’m honored to have her support for my U.S. Senate campaign. Over the next year, I will continue to travel our state and earn the support of fellow New Mexicans to serve as our next U.S. Senator. I will bring our New Mexico values and principles to the Senate floor.”
New Mexico Democratic Party Chairwoman Marg Elliston praised Toulouse Oliver for drawing attention to many issues Democrats support nationwide during the few months of her campaign.
“We are grateful for her integrity and her passion, and we know that she will continue to exemplify those values as the New Mexico Secretary of State,” Elliston said. “We look forward to working with her as she continues to fight for a more accessible democracy for all New Mexicans.”
Toulouse Oliver faced a steep climb in fundraising in a potential primary battle with Luján, who raised more than $1 million in back-to-back quarters and had more than $1.6 million cash on hand Sept. 30, the end of the third quarter of Federal Election Commission filings. Toulouse Oliver reported just over $85,000 cash on hand.
“With your help, we have made our state and our party more in line with progressive, New Mexico values,” Toulouse Oliver said. “That’s a win for everyone. And while the important ideals and values we fought for will continue on, I’ve realized that this is not my time. That’s why, today, I’m exiting the race for U.S. Senate.”
Brian Sanderoff, president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc., believed Toulouse Oliver may have influenced Luján on the issues, but, he said, “It’s hard to take on a powerful member of Congress in a U.S. Senate race. Ben Ray Luján certainly had advantages as one of the most powerful Democratic members of the House.”
Albuquerque contractor Mick Rich and former New Mexico State University professor Gavin Clarkson are the Republican candidates in the race.