New Mexicans are pretty sure aliens did not land in Roswell in 1947. 61% think they did not, and only 21% think they did. There are few differences on this “issue,” but at 26%, voters under 30 are the most likely of any age group to answer affirmatively. Women are a little more likely than men to believe in the Roswell legend (23% versus 19%), white voters (22%) more than Hispanics (20%), and Republicans (25%) more than Democrats (21%) or independents (12%).
Speaking of Roswell, it is a well-liked city by the state’s voters—46% see it favorably and 20% unfavorably. But of four we asked about, it is not the most popular. That would be its largest city, Alburquerque, which has a 63-20 mark. Las Cruces is next (52-15), and then Roswell, and then Santa Fe (53-28). Democrats love the capital (62-20), but it is held down by Republicans’ 40-40 split.
Like his fellow retiring Senate Democrats Herb Kohl (WI) and Jim Webb (VA), Jeff Bingaman has seen his numbers plummet in recent months. The last time we measured his job performance rating in December, 54% approved and 32% disapproved, making him one of the most popular senators in the country. But that has dropped a net ten points in the last seven months to 48-36. He has slipped with voters of both parties and with independents.
Freshman colleague Tom Udall has fallen the same amount from 51-33 to 45-37. All of Udall’s slippage has occurred with voters of his own party, for he has actually improved a few points with each Republicans and independents.
One thing Democrats can cheer about is that they still have a lead heading into this fall’s legislative elections. 46% prefer the generic Democrat in their districts and 38% the unnamed Republican. The GOP is a bit more unified (79-10) than their opponents (71-15), but Democrats are buttressed by a ten-point lead with independents (37-27). As in most states, they are also posting huge leads with women (49-37, versus 42-39 with men), Hispanics (56-25, versus 35-51 with whites), and voters under the age of 30 (64-20, versus 41-47 with those over 65).
Full results here
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