Attack ads flood New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District ahead of pivotal election

As Election Day nears, attack ads are flooding New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District, targeting both incumbent Democrat Gabe Vasquez and Republican challenger Greg Cunningham in a race experts describe as critical to the balance of power in Congress.

Arrest and charges

One ad against Vasquez claims, "Vazquez pushed to give illegal immigrants convicted of crimes from drunk driving to assault to child sexual abuse a pathway to citizenship." Target 7 found this claim to be misleading.

The ad references House Resolution 1589, also known as the American Dream and Promise Act, which Vasquez supported.

The bill seeks to grant conditional permanent residency to certain long-term undocumented residents but excludes convicted felons and individuals with three or more misdemeanor convictions within five years of the application date.

While all child sex abuse crimes are felonies in New Mexico, this is not the case in every state.

The bill also includes a provision allowing officials to make public safety determinations for applicants with any criminal convictions.

In an ad targeting Cunningham, it is claimed, "Cunningham said he would absolutely be an extremist if elected, and was hand-picked by Trump to run for office." Target 7 verified the first claim as true.

In a recorded interview with conservative podcaster Arik Kotkowski, Cunningham recounted a conversation with his mother, during which he confirmed he would "absolutely" be an extremist if he ran for office.