Democrats have controlled the New Mexico House for the past 60 years, but the political landscape is giving Republicans hope for a breakthrough in the general election.
Republicans need a net gain of three seats to take control of the 70-member House. There are at least 10 competitive races, with Democrats and Republicans each holding five of those seats.
Albuquerque pollster Brian Sanderoff says Republicans will receive a boost from the national political mood and having a popular GOP governor — Susana Martinez — on the top of the ticket to draw party loyalists to the polls.
Sanderoff says Republicans have picked up seats in the Legislature historically when there's an unpopular Democratic president during a midterm election. The GOP gained eight seats in 2010.
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