The 2012 New Mexico Senate election took place as part of the biennial United States elections. New Mexico voters elected state senators in all 42 of the state senate's districts. State senators serve four-year terms in the New Mexico Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S House, and state house.
A primary election on June 5, 2012, determined which candidates appeared on the November 6th general election ballot.
Results summary
Retiring incumbents
Clinton Harden (R-District 7) Eric Griego (D-District 12) Dede Feldman (D-District 13) Tim Eichenberg (D-District 15) Mark Boitano (R-District 18) Bernadette Sanchez (D-District 26) Cynthia Nava (D-District 31) Rod Adair (R-District 33) Vernon Asbill (R-District 34) Stephen Fischmann (D-District 37)
Incumbents defeated in the primary election
Lynda Lovejoy (D-District 22), defeated by Benny Shendo (D) David Ulibarri (D-District 30), defeated by Clemente Sanchez (D)
Incumbents defeated in the general election
Lisa Curtis (D-District 21), defeated by Mark Moores (R) Timothy Jennings (D-District 32), defeated by Cliff Pirtle (R) Mary Jane Garcia (D-District 36), defeated by Lee Cotter (R)
Detailed results
Source for primary election results: Source for general election results:
District 1
Incumbent Republican William Sharer has represented the 1st district since 2001.
District 2
Incumbent Republican Steven Neville has represented the 2nd district since 2005.
District 3
Incumbent Democrat John Pinto has represented the 3rd district since 1977. Democratic primary
General election
District 4
Incumbent Democrat George Muñoz has represented the 4th district since 2009. Democratic primary
General election
District 5
Incumbent Democrat Richard Martinez has represented the 5th district since 2001. Democratic primary
General election
District 6
Incumbent Democrat Carlos Cisneros has represented the 6th district since 1985.
District 7
Incumbent Republican Clinton Harden has represented the 7th district since 2003. Harden didn't seek re-election and fellow Republican Pat Woods won the open seat. Republican primary
General election
District 8
Incumbent Democrat Pete Campos has represented the 8th district since 1991. State Representative Thomas Garcis unsuccessfully challenged Campos for the Democratic nomination. Democratic primary
General election
District 9
Incumbent Democrat John Sapien has represented the 9th district since 2009. Democratic primary
General election
District 10
Incumbent Republican John Ryan has represented the 10th district since 2005.
District 11
Incumbent Democrat Linda Lopez has represented the 11th district since 1997.
District 12
The new 12th district includes the homes of incumbent Democrats Jerry Ortiz y Pino, who has represented the 12th district since 2005, and Eric Griego, who has represented the 14th district since 2009. Griego retired to run for Congres while Ortiz y Pino was re-elected here.
District 13
Incumbent Democrat Dede Feldman has represented the 13th district since 1997. Feldman didn't seek re-election and fellow Democrat Bill O'Neill won the open seat. Democratic primary
General election
District 14
The new 14th district is based in southwestern Bernalillo County and includes much of South Valley. The district has no incumbent. Democrat Michael Padilla won the open seat. Democratic primary
General election
District 15
Incumbent Democrat Tim Eichenberg has represented the 15th district since 2009. Eichenberg didn't seek re-election and fellow Democrat Daniel Ivey-Soto won the open seat.
District 16
Incumbent Democrat Cisco McSorley has represented the 16th district since 1997.
District 17
Incumbent Democrat Tim Keller has represented the 17th district since 2009.
District 18
Incumbent Republican Mark Boitano has represented the 18th district since 1997. Boitano didn't seek re-election and fellow Republican Lisa Torraco won the open seat. Republican primary
General election
District 19
Incumbent Republican Sue Wilson Beffort has represented the 19th district since 1997.
District 20
Incumbent Republican William Payne has represented the 20th district since 1997.