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GOP Hopes For Gains In New Mexico Legislature

New Mexico Republicans hope to make history by riding the currents of national political discontent to their first legislative majority in 60 years.

Voters across the state are deciding three dozen contested state House races in Tuesday's general election and the outcome will determine whether Democrats hang on to a majority of the 70 seats in the legislative chamber.

Democrats hold a 37-33 edge currently. Republicans need at least a net gain of three seats to take control of the House.

The majority party governs the flow of legislation in the chamber.

Democrats faced a strong political headwind in the midterm election with President Barack Obama's popularity sagging.

The GOP last gained a majority during the 1952 landslide presidential election of Dwight Eisenhower but lost it two years later.

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