Palin admirer wins big in New Mexico's 3rd District

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The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that a Tea Party organizer crushed a radical anti-war Republican in one of New Mexico's key GOP Congressional primaries:

Republicans in the 3rd Congressional District decided to stick with a traditional GOP conservative instead of a young, Ron Paul-style libertarian to run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Ben Ray Luján.

Tom Mullins, a Farmington oilman and political newcomer, easily defeated Adam Kokesh of Santa Fe.

In December, Mullins, a petroleum engineer who describes himself as a Ronald Reagan Republican, wrote on his campaign website:

"I recently finished reading Sarah Palin's Going Rogue. This gave me some insight into her character and background that never came out during the Presidential campaign. I have to say I am impressed with her humility and her honesty. She was called upon to step forward and she played A team ball with all she had and performed wonderfully. I hope women across New Mexico, especially my daughters, become inspired to serve their community and their country. Every generation is tested in some manner. Our generation is being tested by the growth of Leviathan into every aspect of our lives. When we are tested, we must take a deep breath, pray for strength, and redouble our efforts to improve our great nation."

Even though he trounced Kokesh, who had Ron Paul's endorsement, by a margin of 72 percent to 28 percent, Mullins faces an uphill battle against incumbent Democrat Luján in the general election:

It will be hard for any Republican to win in this district, which Congressional Quarterly ranks as a "safe Democratic" district. The National Republican Congressional Committee isn't expected to spend any money in this race.

Perhaps as an indication of how national Republicans regard this race, on Tuesday night the National Republican Congressional Committee released a statement congratulating GOP congressional nominees Jon Barela and Steve Pearce in the 1st and 2nd congressional districts. They didn't mention Mullins.

Republicans are in the minority in the 3rd Congressional District, which covers most of the northern half of the state. Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 2 to 1. As of May 24, there were 212,459 registered Democrats in the district, 109,185 Republicans, 56,285 independents (declined to state) and 9,619 members of other parties.

Still, there is strong voter sentiment this election cycle against big spending and big government, so Mullins may have at least a chance for an upset victory in November. Luján has voted for every budget spending and tax bill since taking his House seat following the 2008 election. He also voted for the House version of the widely unpopular health care bill and against the Stupak Amendment which would have banned federally-funded abortions. Luján has been a strong proponent of health care reform including the public option, and in a 2009 speech on the House floor, he called for a public option to be included in the House bill, saying "We need a public option - we must demand a public option."

h/t: Libertarian Republican

- JP