Yvette Herrell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New Mexico's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 2021 – January 3, 2023
Preceded byXochitl Torres Small
Succeeded byGabe Vasquez
Member of the New Mexico House of Representatives
from the 51st district
In office
January 18, 2011 – January 15, 2019
Preceded byGloria Vaughn
Succeeded byRachel Black
Personal details
Born
Stella Yvette Herrell

(1964-03-16) March 16, 1964
Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationITT Technical Institute
Signature

Stella Yvette Herrell[1] (/iˈvɛt ˈhɛrəl/ ee-VETT HERR-əl; born March 16, 1964)[2] is an American politician and realtor who served as the U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2021 to 2023. A member of the Republican Party, she served four terms as a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives for the 51st district from 2011 to 2019.[3][4]

Herrell was the Republican nominee for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district in 2018, narrowly losing to Democrat Xochitl Torres Small. She was the Republican nominee for the 2nd district again in 2020, and defeated Torres Small in a rematch.[5] She narrowly lost her bid for reelection in 2022 to Democratic nominee Gabe Vasquez, a former Las Cruces city councillor.[6]

Herrell has marked many firsts: she is the first Republican Native woman elected to Congress, the first Cherokee woman,[7] the third Native American woman, and the second Native woman from New Mexico elected to the House.[8] She was the only Republican member of New Mexico's congressional delegation during the 117th Congress and the last Republican U.S Representative from the state.

Early life and education

Herrell was born in Ruidoso, New Mexico, and is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.[2][9] After attending Cloudcroft High School, she earned a legal secretary diploma from the ITT Technical Institute School of Business in Boise, Idaho.[10][11][12][13]

After graduating from ITT, Herrell returned to New Mexico, where she worked as a realtor in Alamogordo.[14][15] She later worked as a real estate broker for Future Real Estate in Alamogordo.[16][17]

New Mexico House of Representatives

In 2010, Herrell challenged incumbent District 51 Republican state Representative Gloria Vaughn in the June 1 Republican primary. Herrell won with 846 votes (54.2%),[18] and went on to win the November 2 general election with 3,077 votes (62.9%) against Democratic nominee Susan Medina.[19]

In 2012, Herrell was unopposed in both the June 5 Republican primary, which she won with 2,128 votes,[20] and the November 6 general election, which she won with 7,750 votes.[21]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

In 2018, Herrell was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives, and was defeated in a close race by political newcomer and Democratic attorney Xochitl Torres Small. The results were close on election night, with Herrell in the lead at the end of the night and some New Mexico media organizations projecting that she would win.[22] The next day, more ballots were counted, narrowing Herrell's lead, and media organizations rescinded their initial projections.[22] Absentee ballots made Torres Small the winner by 51% to 49%. Without offering evidence, Herrell alleged possible election fraud before conceding the race.[23][24][25]

A 2018 Associated Press review of Herrell's campaign finance disclosure records found that she had failed to disclose that her real estate company earned $440,000 in contracts with two state agencies over five years. Herrell said she had submitted all required paperwork and that the allegations against her represented "an attack on my moral character" orchestrated by one of her opponents in the Republican congressional primary.[26]

2020

Herrell was a candidate for the 2nd congressional district in the 2020 elections.[27] In the Republican primary, she faced businesswoman Claire Chase and businessman Chris Mathys.[28] Herrell won the primary with 45.6% of the vote and faced Torres Small in the November general election.[29]

Herrell won the November general election by 54% to 46% and took office on January 3, 2021.[30][31] She campaigned on a stronger southern U.S. border, supporting small businesses, and fighting overly tight government regulation.[4]

2022

Herrell was a candidate for the 2nd congressional district in the 2022 elections. She ran unopposed in the Republican primary[32] and faced Democratic nominee Gabe Vasquez in the general election.[33]

Vasquez won the November general election by less than 1%.[34][35]

Tenure

Defense

In June 2021, Herrell was one of 49 House Republicans to vote to repeal the AUMF against Iraq.[36]

In September 2021, Herrell was among 75 House Republicans to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which contains a provision that would require women to be drafted.[37][38]

Immigration

In 2021, Herrell called for the National Guard to be deployed at the United States-Mexico border.[39]

In 2022, Herrell was the main sponsor of a bill to give Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates temporary political asylum.[40]

Committee assignments

Source[41]

Caucus memberships

Electoral history

2018

New Mexico's 2nd congressional district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Xochitl Torres Small 100,570 50.9
Republican Yvette Herrell 97,031 49.1
Total votes 197,601 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

2020

New Mexico's 2nd congressional district election, 2020
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Yvette Herrell 142,169 53.75
Democratic Xochitl Torres Small (incumbent) 122,314 46.25
Total votes 264,483 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

2022

2022 New Mexico's 2nd congressional district election[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gabe Vasquez 96,986 50.3
Republican Yvette Herrell (incumbent) 95,636 49.6
Write-in 51 0.3
Total votes 192,673 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Political positions

During her campaign for the 2nd district in 2020, Herrell positioned herself as an ally of President Donald Trump.[45] After Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election and Trump refused to concede while making baseless claims of fraud, Herrell objected to the certification of Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes in Congress.[46]

Herrell supports repealing the Affordable Care Act.[47] She has argued that health insurance should be left to "free markets".[48]

In an interview with the Albuquerque Journal, she said, "DACA needs to be reformed." She also said she "will not support any legislation that will impede on our Second Amendment" and supports allowing concealed carry on school property.[10]

Herrell opposes abortion.[49] While a member of the New Mexico House of Representatives in 2015, Herrell sponsored a bill that banned late-term abortion with exceptions for instances of sexual abuse, rape, or incest.[50]

She has said that the federal government's role in public education should be limited.[51]

Herrell has said that she supports legislation that improves water rights, private property rights, and the management of public lands.[52]

After Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, Herrell voted not to impeach Trump.[53]

In 2021, Herrell voted against the American Rescue Plan that was passed by Congress and signed into law by Biden.[54][55][56]

On February 25, 2021, Herrell voted against the Equality Act, a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation by amending the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act to include new protections.[57]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Herrell attended events that did not comply with public health measures to hinder the spread of the virus, such as social distancing and face masks.[58][59] Explaining why she did not wear a face mask while in a public gathering, Herrell said, "I was at an event, yes; no one in the audience was wearing a mask, so I didn't feel as though I needed to wear one in that particular setting."[59] She criticized the virus mitigation strategies implemented by Democrats in New Mexico.[49]

Personal life

Herrell is a Protestant Christian.[60]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Yvette Herrell". Federal Election Commission. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  2. 1 2 "Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM) - Representative for New Mexico, Republican, NM-02". American Motorcyclist Association. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Representative Yvette Herrell (R)". Santa Fe, New Mexico: New Mexico Legislature. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  4. 1 2 Stabile, Angelica (November 9, 2020). "13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history". FOX News. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  5. ↑ Edmondson, Catie (November 4, 2020). "Yvette Herrell Ousts Xochitl Torres Small From New Mexico House Seat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  6. ↑ Slacik, Sophia (October 24, 2022). "New Mexico election results: Democrat Gabe Vasquez ousts Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell". Fox News. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  7. ↑ "GOP makes history with number of women elected to Congress in 2020". The Washington Post via YouTube. Retrieved May 5, 2021.
  8. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon. "Give 'em Herrell: New Mexico's 2nd congressional district back in Republican hands". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  9. ↑ Olmstead, Mallory (November 6, 2018). "Two Native American Women Become First Elected to Congress". Slate.
  10. 1 2 Herrell, Yvette. "2nd Congressional District candidate Yvette Herrell". Albuquerque Journal (Interview). Interviewed by Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ Herrell, Yvette. "Q&A: Congressional District 2 Yvette Herrell". Albuquerque Journal (Interview). Interviewed by Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. ↑ Barbati, Duane (July 12, 2017). "Yvette Herrell running for Congressional seat vacated by Pearce". Alamogordo Daily News. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  13. ↑ Devine, Jacqueline (October 20, 2016). "Incumbent Herrell looking to retain state District 51 seat". Alamogordo Daily News. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Yvette Herrell". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  15. ↑ "YVETTE HERRELL". New Mexico Home Search.com. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  16. ↑ "Yvette Herrell". LoopNet. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  17. ↑ "Yvette Herrell faces tough rematch in swing congressional race". Indian Country Today. September 13, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 1, 2010 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 6. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 2, 2010 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 5. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 5, 2012 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 8. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 6, 2012 – State of New Mexico" (PDF). Santa Fe, New Mexico: Secretary of State of New Mexico. p. 8. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
  22. 1 2 "Republican Who Lost US House Race Seeks to Impound Ballots". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 14, 2018.
  23. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon (November 13, 2018). "On Fox, Herrell alleged 'documented complaints' about election. Then she went silent". Las Cruces Sun News. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  24. ↑ Boyd, Dan (January 7, 2019). "Herell not contesting loss in congressional race". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  25. ↑ McDevitt, Michael. "Yvette Herrell ad claims Democrats 'took' the election away from her in 2018". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  26. ↑ Contreras, Russell (April 6, 2018). "Records: New Mexico lawmaker didn't disclose state contracts". AP News. Associated Press. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  27. ↑ Panetta, Grace. "LIVE UPDATES: Watch the results of Republican primaries in New Mexico, including the high-stakes contest in the 2nd congressional district". Business Insider. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  28. ↑ "New Mexico Primary Election Results: Second Congressional District". The New York Times. June 2, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Live: New Mexico State Primary Election Results 2020". The New York Times. June 2, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  30. ↑ "New Mexico Election Results: Second Congressional District". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  31. ↑ McKay, Dan (November 3, 2020). "Herrell emerges as likely victor in 2nd Congressional District". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  32. ↑ "New Mexico House District 2 Republican Primary Election Results and Maps 2022 | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  33. ↑ "New Mexico Second Congressional District Election Results". The New York Times. November 8, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  34. ↑ "Results: Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell defeated by Democrat Gabriel Vasquez in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District election". uk.news.yahoo.com. November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  35. ↑ https://www.washingtontimes.com, The Washington Times. "Incumbent Republican concedes in New Mexico House race". The Washington Times. Retrieved November 10, 2022. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
  36. ↑ "House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization". NBC News. June 17, 2021.
  37. ↑ Zilbermints, Regina (September 23, 2021). "House passes sweeping defense policy bill". The Hill.
  38. ↑ "H.R. 4350: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 -- House Vote #293 -- Sep 23, 2021". GovTrack.us.
  39. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon. "Rep. Yvette Herrell renews call for National Guard deployment to New Mexico border". Las Cruces Sun-News.
  40. ↑ Vakil, Caroline (February 19, 2022). "New Mexico rep to introduce bill offering asylum to Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates". The Hill.
  41. ↑ "Committees and Caucuses". Congresswoman Yvette Herrell. U.S. House Of Representatives. January 3, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  42. ↑ "Tea Party-linked Super PAC to spend $100K to support Herrell". KOB 4. May 4, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  43. ↑ "Membership". Republican Study Committee. December 6, 2017. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  44. ↑ "2022 General New Mexico - Unofficial Results". New Mexico Secretary of State.
  45. ↑ Rupar, Aaron (November 4, 2020). "Yvette Herrell takes New Mexico House seat in pickup for Republicans". Vox. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  46. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon (January 7, 2021). "New Mexico congresswoman Yvette Herrell objects to Biden's election in Congress". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  47. ↑ Hedden, Adrian. "Yvette Herrell: Government must be limited to empower rural communities". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  48. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon. "Yvette Herrell, Xochitl Torres Small make their case for N.M's second district seat in Congress". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  49. 1 2 Romero, Simon (August 24, 2020). "Virus Response Fueling G.O.P. Bid to Retake New Mexico Seat". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  50. ↑ Baker, Deborah Baker. "House OKs late-term abortion ban". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  51. ↑ Hedden, Adrian. "Yvette Herrell: Government must be limited to empower rural communities". Carlsbad Current-Argus. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  52. ↑ Turner, Scott Turner (October 24, 2020). "Herrell wants to be New Mexico's conservative voice in Congress". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  53. ↑ "How each member of the House voted on Trump's second impeachment". CNN. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
  54. ↑ "New Mexico lawmakers respond to President Biden's COVID-19 relief plan". KOB 4. February 4, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  55. ↑ Murphy, Mary Alice. "Herrell Statement on $1.9 Trillion COVID Bill". Grant County Beat. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  56. ↑ Writers, Ryan Boetel And Dan Boyd | Journal Staff (March 10, 2021). "Billions for NM in virus relief package". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  57. ↑ "House passes Equality Act despite objections over religious freedom, women's sports". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  58. ↑ D'Ammassa, Algernon. "Yvette Herrell event reportedly goes on despite cease and desist order". Las Cruces Sun-News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  59. 1 2 Maxwell, Nicole. "Rep. Yvette Herrell appears at non-COVID-19 safe event on Jan. 23". Alamogordo Daily News. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  60. ↑ "Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. January 4, 2021. p. 7.
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