Pearce reelected in NM Congressional District 2

Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce extended his 12-year tenure in Congress with a victory in southern New Mexico’s 2nd District.

He defeated Democrat Merrie Lee Souleson in the sprawling district that includes Las Cruces, a sliver of the border with Mexico and some of the state’s most productive oil and gas wells.

Pearce has pledged to reduce the regulatory role of federal government in education, health care and land management.

The Vietnam War veteran and former owner of an oil-field services firm supported Donald Trump throughout the presidential campaign but described the GOP nominee’s 2005 comments about grabbing women without their consent “horrid.”

Soules highlighted her business acumen as a former executive at General Motors, support for renewable energy development and advocacy on economic fairness and consumer protection.