Clovis High alum throwing hat in for NM seat

A Clovis High School alum has thrown his hat in the ring for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, should Rep. Deb Haaland be confirmed as Interior Secretary.

Jared Vander Dussen, now of Albuquerque, is one of six Republicans to express interest in the potential special election. Democratic candidates have not yet been disclosed, and a date for Haaland’s confirmation hearing has not yet been set.

Vander Dussen’s first run for public office came in 2019 when he announced a bid for the same seat. He did not make it past the 2020 primaries, but he hopes that the experience he gained last year will be beneficial moving forward.

“That was a huge building campaign for me. It was building my name recognition and getting out to the voters. We built my name ID from scratch and I think that was my biggest detriment. I was up against an opponent who had been around the Republican Party for decades,” he said. “I think this summer will be different because the Republican Party knows who I am, the people of Albuquerque, which encompasses CD-1, know who I am and I think we can really make a difference within the district.”

Vander Dussen’s key issues during his first run centered around conservative approaches to the economy, immigration, government regulation, and rebuilding the middle class in New Mexico. While continuing to back those stances, he is also looking towards the state’s future generations.

“We have a decreased opportunity here in New Mexico. Our young people flee to either Denver, Dallas or Phoenix, and we need to make sure we’re creating opportunities here in New Mexico and not exporting our young people and our jobs elsewhere,” Vander Dussen said.

The Republican Party of New Mexico stated in a press release a nomination deadline will be established if and when a vacancy is created. The nomination would be handled by its central committee for CD-1. The district includes most of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County, Torrance County and areas of Santa Fe, Sandoval, and Valencia Counties.

The first announcement of candidates from the state GOP names Vander Dussen along with Eddy Aragon, Peggy Muller Aragon, Michaela Chaves, Ronnie Lucero and 2020 GOP nominee Michelle Garcia Holmes. On Friday, however, Holmes announced her withdrawal from the race.