Political, Economic Scene in New Mexico Set to Affect Election

JIM LEHRER:

Now, on the NewsHour and the Online NewsHour, we begin a week of reporting from and about New Mexico, as part of our ongoing "Big Picture" series. The idea is to listen to what people in different parts of the country have on their minds now as the election approaches.

New Mexico is very much a battleground state in the presidential campaign. Ray Suarez sets the scene.

RAY SUAREZ:

October in New Mexico brings thousands from the rest of the state and the rest of the country to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains for the 10-day International Balloon Fiesta. And this fall, with hot-air balloons floating overhead, there's hot political debate on the ground.

For many, the economy is key. That's the case with first-time and still undecided voter Danny Lucero.

DANNY LUCERO:

I would say mostly right now the economy and maybe like houses and jobs right now. The job market is real low, and people are just trying to struggle to make it.

THERESA LEGER-FERNANDEZ:

We're a tourist state, so when we were walking around today, we noticed that, even though you think there's a lot of people, there weren't as many people as there usually are here.

RAY SUAREZ:

For others, like undecided voter Todd Tillman, it's not just the economy.

TODD TILLMAN:

It's economic issues, the war that's going on right now, the war against terror, as well as the one we have in Iraq, I mean, the war against terror is kind of hard to define in where it's at, but I think those are the two main issues for me right now.

RAY SUAREZ:

The presidential race has been neck-and-neck for months. Both candidates have made numerous visits to the state, fighting for its five electoral votes, votes that could help determine victory or defeat in November.

Being a battleground isn't new for New Mexico. Recent elections have been so close it's taken weeks, even months to name a winner, says Lonna Atkeson, professor of political science at the University of New Mexico.