Local candidates make final push Tuesday

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - While many eyes are on the Presidential election there are some big races here in New Mexico that many residents have been keeping tabs on.

The big prize here in New Mexico is the open US Senate Seat being contested by Democrat Martin Heinrich and Republican Heather Wilson.

Both candidates hit the phones and pavement Tuesday hoping to reach those last minute voters.

Heinrich emerged early on as the front runner, he voted early with his family at Bandelier Elementary School in Southeast Albuquerque. From there he joined his supporters’ phone banking and knocking on doors.

Wilson was out doing much of the same Tuesday. She spent most of the afternoon at her campaign headquarters in Northeast Albuquerque calling voters to get them out the door to vote.

Wilson views this race as a dead heat; while Heinrich says he’s feeling optimistic. Although both say at least on Election Day they’re not paying attention to any of the recent polling.

Both candidates will watch returns Tuesday night with their families before attending events with their respective parties.

Heinrich and Wilson are running for the seat left behind by retiring Senator Jeff Bingaman. Heinrich left behind his own seat in the US House to run.

The candidates running for Heinrich’s metro area Congressional seat made their final pitch to voters Tuesday. Republican Janice Arnold-Jones was working the phones at the GOP phone bank off Comanche.