Yvette Herrell Explained

Yvette Herrell
State:New Mexico
Term Start:January 3, 2021
Term End:January 3, 2023
Predecessor:Xochitl Torres Small
State House1:New Mexico
District1:51st
Term Start1:January 18, 2011
Term End1:January 15, 2019
Predecessor1:Gloria Vaughn
Successor1:Rachel Black
Birth Name:Stella Yvette Herrell
Birth Date:16 March 1964
Birth Place:Ruidoso, New Mexico, U.S.
Nationality:American
Cherokee Nation
Party:Republican
Education:ITT Technical Institute
Signature:Lynnettarellesig.png

Stella Yvette Herrell[1] (; 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. 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

2022

Political positions

During her campaign for the 2nd district in 2020, Herrell positioned herself as an ally of President Donald Trump.[44] 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.[45]

Herrell supports repealing the Affordable Care Act.[46] She has argued that health insurance should be left to "free markets".[47]

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.

Herrell opposes abortion.[48] She supported the 2022 Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade..[49] She co-sponsored the Life at Conception Act in 2021, which defined "human being" as "all stages of life, including the moment of fertilization" and made no exceptions for in vitro fertilization (IVF). In 2020, she said "I wish we could have eliminated all abortion in the state." 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] By 2024, Herrell had removed all references to abortion from her website while her campaign said she supports IVF and that abortion laws should be left to states.

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." She criticized the virus mitigation strategies implemented by Democrats in New Mexico.

Personal life

Herrell is a Protestant Christian.[60]

See also

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Yvette Herrell. December 26, 2020 . Federal Election Commission.
  2. Web site: Rep. Yvette Herrell (R-NM) - Representative for New Mexico, Republican, NM-02 . American Motorcyclist Association . March 2, 2021.
  3. Web site: Representative Yvette Herrell (R) . February 12, 2014 . . Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  4. News: 13 GOP women join the House, dominating congressional elections, making history . November 9, 2020 . Stabile . Angelica . . November 23, 2020 .
  5. News: Edmondson. Catie. November 4, 2020. Yvette Herrell Ousts Xochitl Torres Small From New Mexico House Seat. The New York Times. November 4, 2020. 0362-4331.
  6. Web site: Slacik . Sophia . 2022-10-24 . New Mexico election results: Democrat Gabe Vasquez ousts Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell . 2022-11-10 . . en-US.
  7. News: GOP makes history with number of women elected to Congress in 2020. May 5, 2021. The Washington Post via YouTube.
  8. Web site: D'Ammassa. Algernon. Give 'em Herrell: New Mexico's 2nd congressional district back in Republican hands. January 23, 2021. Las Cruces Sun-News.
  9. Web site: Olmstead . Mallory . November 6, 2018 . Two Native American Women Become First Elected to Congress . Slate.
  10. Herrell . Yvette . 2nd Congressional District candidate Yvette Herrell . June 3, 2020 . Albuquerque Journal . Albuquerque Journal.
  11. Herrell . Yvette . Q&A: Congressional District 2 Yvette Herrell . June 3, 2020 . Albuquerque Journal . Albuquerque Journal.
  12. Web site: Barbati . Duane . Yvette Herrell running for Congressional seat vacated by Pearce . June 5, 2020 . Alamogordo Daily News . July 12, 2017.
  13. Web site: Devine . Jacqueline . Incumbent Herrell looking to retain state District 51 seat . June 5, 2020 . Alamogordo Daily News . October 20, 2016.
  14. Web site: Yvette Herrell. June 5, 2020. Ballotpedia.
  15. Web site: YVETTE HERRELL. June 5, 2020. New Mexico Home Search.com. June 5, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200605184552/https://www.newmexicohomesearch.com/agents/yvette-herrell/. dead.
  16. Web site: Yvette Herrell. November 6, 2020. LoopNet.
  17. News: Yvette Herrell faces tough rematch in swing congressional race. November 19, 2020. Ict News. September 13, 2020 .
  18. Web site: Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 1, 2010 – State of New Mexico . February 12, 2014 . Secretary of State of New Mexico . Santa Fe, New Mexico . 6.
  19. Web site: Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 2, 2010 – State of New Mexico . February 12, 2014 . Secretary of State of New Mexico . Santa Fe, New Mexico . 5.
  20. Web site: Canvass of Returns of Primary Election Held on June 5, 2012 – State of New Mexico . February 12, 2014 . . Santa Fe, New Mexico . 8.
  21. Web site: Canvass of Returns of General Election Held on November 6, 2012 – State of New Mexico . February 12, 2014 . Secretary of State of New Mexico . Santa Fe, New Mexico . 8.
  22. News: Republican Who Lost US House Race Seeks to Impound Ballots . . . November 13, 2018 . November 14, 2018.
  23. News: D'Ammassa . Algernon . November 13, 2018 . On Fox, Herrell alleged 'documented complaints' about election. Then she went silent. . Las Cruces Sun News . June 24, 2020.
  24. News: Boyd . Dan . January 7, 2019 . Herell not contesting loss in congressional race . Albuquerque Journal . June 24, 2020.
  25. Web site: McDevitt. Michael. Yvette Herrell ad claims Democrats 'took' the election away from her in 2018. July 28, 2020. Las Cruces Sun-News.
  26. News: Contreras . Russell . April 6, 2018 . Records: New Mexico lawmaker didn't disclose state contracts . . . July 22, 2018.
  27. Web site: Panetta . Grace . LIVE UPDATES: Watch the results of Republican primaries in New Mexico, including the high-stakes contest in the 2nd congressional district . June 3, 2020 . Business Insider.
  28. News: New Mexico Primary Election Results: Second Congressional District . . June 2, 2020 . June 3, 2020 . 0362-4331.
  29. News: Live: New Mexico State Primary Election Results 2020 . . June 2, 2020 . June 3, 2020 . 0362-4331.
  30. News: New Mexico Election Results: Second Congressional District. The New York Times. November 3, 2020 . November 4, 2020. 0362-4331.
  31. Web site: McKay. Dan. Herrell emerges as likely victor in 2nd Congressional District. November 4, 2020. Albuquerque Journal. November 3, 2020 .
  32. Web site: New Mexico House District 2 Republican Primary Election Results and Maps 2022 CNN Politics . 2022-11-10 . . en.
  33. News: 2022-11-08 . New Mexico Second Congressional District Election Results . en-US . . 2022-11-10 . 0362-4331.
  34. Web site: Results: Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell defeated by Democrat Gabriel Vasquez in New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District election . 2022-11-10 . uk.news.yahoo.com . November 10, 2022 . en-GB.
  35. Web site: https://www.washingtontimes.com . The Washington Times . Incumbent Republican concedes in New Mexico House race . 2022-11-10 . The Washington Times . en-US.
  36. Web site: House votes to repeal 2002 Iraq War authorization. NBC News. June 17, 2021 .
  37. Web site: House passes sweeping defense policy bill. Regina. Zilbermints. September 23, 2021. The Hill.
  38. Web site: H.R. 4350: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 -- House Vote #293 -- Sep 23, 2021. GovTrack.us.
  39. Web site: Rep. Yvette Herrell renews call for National Guard deployment to New Mexico border. Algernon. D'Ammassa. Las Cruces Sun-News.
  40. Web site: New Mexico rep to introduce bill offering asylum to Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates. Caroline. Vakil. February 19, 2022. The Hill.
  41. Web site: Committees and Caucuses . Congresswoman Yvette Herrell . 3 January 2021 . U.S. House Of Representatives . 31 October 2021.
  42. News: May 4, 2020. Tea Party-linked Super PAC to spend $100K to support Herrell. February 28, 2021. KOB 4. October 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201024060226/https://www.kob.com/albuquerque-news/tea-party-linked-super-pac-to-spend-100k-to-support-herrell/5719595/. dead.
  43. Web site: Membership . Republican Study Committee . 6 December 2017 . 31 October 2021.
  44. Web site: Rupar. Aaron. November 4, 2020. Yvette Herrell takes New Mexico House seat in pickup for Republicans. November 6, 2020. Vox.
  45. News: D'Ammassa. Algernon. January 7, 2021. New Mexico congresswoman Yvette Herrell objects to Biden's election in Congress. Las Cruces Sun-News. 26 March 2021.
  46. Web site: Hedden. Adrian. Yvette Herrell: Government must be limited to empower rural communities. 2021-03-26. Carlsbad Current-Argus. en-US.
  47. Web site: D'Ammassa. Algernon. Yvette Herrell, Xochitl Torres Small make their case for N.M's second district seat in Congress. 2021-03-26. Las Cruces Sun-News. en-US.
  48. News: Romero. Simon. 2020-08-24. Virus Response Fueling G.O.P. Bid to Retake New Mexico Seat. en-US. The New York Times. 2021-03-26. 0362-4331.
  49. Web site: 2024-04-15 . GOP Congressional Hopeful Wished Her State Had ‘Eliminated All Abortion’ In 2020 . HuffPost . en.
  50. Web site: Baker. Deborah Baker. House OKs late-term abortion ban. November 6, 2020. Albuquerque Journal.
  51. Web site: Hedden. Adrian. Yvette Herrell: Government must be limited to empower rural communities. November 6, 2020. Carlsbad Current-Argus.
  52. Web site: Turner. Scott Turner. Herrell wants to be New Mexico's conservative voice in Congress. November 6, 2020. Albuquerque Journal. October 24, 2020 .
  53. Web site: How each member of the House voted on Trump's second impeachment. January 14, 2021. CNN.
  54. Web site: 2021-02-04. New Mexico lawmakers respond to President Biden's COVID-19 relief plan. 2021-03-26. KOB 4. en.
  55. Web site: Murphy. Mary Alice. Herrell Statement on $1.9 Trillion COVID Bill. 2021-03-26. Grant County Beat. en-gb.
  56. Web site: Writers. Ryan Boetel And Dan Boyd Journal Staff. Billions for NM in virus relief package. 2021-03-26. www.abqjournal.com. March 10, 2021 . en-US.
  57. News: House passes Equality Act despite objections over religious freedom, women's sports. The Washington Times. February 25, 2021.
  58. Web site: D'Ammassa. Algernon. Yvette Herrell event reportedly goes on despite cease and desist order. 2021-03-26. Las Cruces Sun-News. en-US.
  59. Web site: Maxwell. Nicole. Rep. Yvette Herrell appears at non-COVID-19 safe event on Jan. 23. 2021-03-26. Alamogordo Daily News. en-US.
  60. Web site: Religious affiliation of members of 117th Congress. Pew Research Center. January 4, 2021. 7.

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