NM House Candidates Clash Over Medicaid in District 3 Race
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D) faces state Rep. Martin Zamora (R-Clovis) in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election for New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. In an interview with Source NM, Leger Fernández criticized Trump administration and Republican-backed cuts to Medicaid and food assistance, citing 10,000 New Mexico children who lost federal benefits due to the One Big Beautiful Bill, and said she would prioritize legislation to increase healthcare providers in rural areas. Zamora, who did not respond to interview requests, has campaigned on property rights, energy jobs, crime and border security rather than healthcare. The race will determine representation for a largely rural northern and eastern New Mexico district with significant Medicaid-dependent populations.
The outcome will shape New Mexico's congressional delegation stance on federal Medicaid funding and rural provider access as the state grapples with coverage losses tied to recent federal benefit cuts.
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