Yvette Herrell wins GOP nomination for southern New Mexico swing seat in Congress

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- Former state Rep. Yvette Herrell has won the Republican nomination for New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, setting up a rematch with Democrat U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small of Las Cruces.

Herrell on Tuesday finished ahead of a field that included oil executive Claire Chase and Las Cruces businessman Chris Mathys following a nasty primary campaign marred by personal attacks. In the final days, a Democratic-leaning political action committee spent money on ads to help Herrell.

Chase called Herrell on Tuesday night to concede.

During the campaign, the candidates attacked each other for not supporting President Donald Trump enough.

The swing congressional race is one of many expected to draw national attention because it may help determine which party controls the U.S. House.