The Stark Contrast Between MAGA Extremist Yvette Herrell and Bipartisan Champion Gabe Vasquez

New reporting from the New York Times highlights the stark contrast between Congressman Gabe Vasquez and anti-abortion extremist Yvette Herrell.

Despite Herrell "facing unfavorable terrain that skews Democratic and an opponent who has twice as much cash on hand as she does," Herrell has stuck to her out-of touch anti-abortion extremism, including saying she wished New Mexico "could have eliminated all abortion," that she was "proud of her stance on abortion" and continuing her support for legislation "effectively criminalizing the termination of a pregnancy and potentially aspects of in vitro fertilization treatment."

Meanwhile, Congressman Vasquez has worked with both Democrats and Republicans to address pressing issues in his community, including introducing "bills that would increase penalties on cartels and human traffickers" and "overhaul the visa system for migrant agricultural workers," and is committed to protecting and defending women's reproductive freedoms.

DCCC Spokesperson Lauryn Fanguen:
"Yvette Herrell is an anti-abortion extremist itching to rejoin the far-right fringes of her party in Congress to implement a nationwide abortion ban. She's no match against Gabe Vasquez, a pragmatic and bipartisan leader who is focused on fighting for the unique needs of his community in Congress - and that's why he will beat Herrell once again and be re-elected this November."

The New York Times: Abortion vs. Border Security: New Mexico House Race Tests Dueling Messages
Maya Miller | September 15, 2024

• Under the hot desert sun less than 40 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border last week, Representative Gabe Vasquez, Democrat of New Mexico, lashed out against Republicans who talk about abortion as a "states' rights" issue, charging that their real agenda is to place severe limits on women's access to health care.

• "That is now the de facto position of folks who want to limit women's reproductive health care," Mr. Vasquez told about 50 people at a groundbreaking for a new, $10 million state-funded reproductive health clinic. "We've seen the consequences of what this means for women."

• He has worked to use Ms. Herrell's anti-abortion rights voting record and previous remarks on the issue against her, including a 2020 video clip in which she said during a Republican candidate forum: "I wish we could have eliminated all abortion in this state."

• Ms. Herrell, unlike some Republicans who have airbrushed or downright misrepresented their past records on the issue, says she is proud of her stance on abortion, including her backing for legislation that would grant legal personhood to fertilized eggs, effectively criminalizing the termination of a pregnancy and potentially aspects of in vitro fertilization treatment.

• The race for the largely rural Second Congressional District, which stretches from Arizona to Texas and spans 180 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, is considered one of the most competitive in the country. Ms. Herrell is facing unfavorable terrain that skews Democratic and an opponent who has twice as much cash on hand as she does. A recent poll from Emerson College found Mr. Vasquez leading Ms. Herrell by nine percentage points - 50 percent to 41 percent - with 9 percent still undecided. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the contest as a "toss-up."

• Mr. Vasquez has introduced bills that would increase penalties on cartels and human traffickers, as well as overhaul the visa system for migrant agricultural workers. He also backed the Senate's bipartisan border deal, and often points out that Republicans killed the deal at the behest of former President Donald J. Trump. Vice President Kamala Harris has said if she wins in November, she would resurrect the bill and sign it as one of her first priorities.

• "To protect our border, I brought Republicans and Democrats together to add 20,000 border agents, new technology and to fight the cartels," Mr. Vasquez says in his latest television advertisement, which focuses solely on border security. "And as the son of immigrants, I'll make sure those who play by the rules always have a chance at their American dream."

• But he has seized every opportunity to emphasize the issue of abortion, charging that Ms. Herrell's true goal is a national abortion ban.

• "You have to be able to trust the person that's going to be legislating, and I don't think New Mexicans trust her position on abortion," Mr. Vasquez said in an interview.