Newspaper Article

GOP Spends $1 Million To Hold New Mexico Seat

Connolly, Ceci

1998

Overview

The Republican Party poured an unprecedented $1 million into Tuesday's New Mexico special election to defeat a multimillionaire Democrat and retain a House seat that Democrats hoped would propel them toward regaining control of the House in November. Aided by a strong finish on the part of the pro-environmental Green Party candidate, Republican Heather Wilson defeated Democrat Phil Maloof with 45 percent of the vote. Maloof finished with about 39 percent, according to official but incomplete results. The turnout was close to 40 percent, state officials said. For Democrats, who hoped state Sen. Maloof would be able to spend his way to victory, the election once again illustrated the Republican Party's deep pockets. In addition to the $1 million Wilson received from various GOP committees, she raised $1.5 million. Maloof, who spent about $1.5 million of his family fortune, benefited from about $1 million from other sources ranging from the party to a pro-term limits group.

• Publisher: WP Company LLC d/b/a The Washington Post
• Subject: Candidates / Congressional elections / Election results / Heather Wilson / Maloof, Phil / Michael Huffington / Newt Gingrich / Phil Maloof / Wilson, Heather