Democrat Martin Heinrich's chances of keeping his New Mexico Senate seat as GOP Challenger dodges Trump questions

SEATTLE - Nella Domenici, the daughter of the last Republican senator of New Mexico and now a candidate herself, is facing scrutiny over her cancelation of an interview on a popular Albuquerque-based radio show because her campaign disapproved of the questions submitted in advance.

Domenici, who served as one of New Mexico's senators from 1972 to 2008, is the Republican candidate competing for the senior Senate seat that has been held by Democrat Martin Heinrich since 2013. In two polls conducted in June by Public Policy Polling and 1892 Polling, Domenici trails incumbent Heinrich by seven and four percentage points, respectively.

Nationwide, Democrats are projected to defend 23 Senate seats this year as they hope to hold on to a majority that currently stands at 51-49. According to CNN's latest ranking of the Senate seats most likely to flip, nine of the top 10 are held by Democrats (or independents who caucus with them).

In 2018, Heinrich won reelection with about 54% of the vote in a three-way race against Republican Mick Rich and Libertarian candidate and former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson.

T.J. Trout, host of a show at KKOB, a commercial AM radio station licensed to Albuquerque, said he was not "trying to make you look bad" in reference to Domeneci's cancelation, who has been labelled in the past by Democrats in New Mexico as "No Answer Nella" for her refusal to answer tough questions in her quest to unseat Heinrich.

"I'm just asking you honest questions that independents and Democrats want to know the answers to," Trout said in his radio show.

In response, Domenici's campaign manager, Noah Jennings, said that the GOP candidate is focused on much bigger issues facing the state of New Mexico than Trout, who spent part of his July 30 show by conducting a mock interview of the Republican candidate.

Trout said that the Domenici campaign had a problem with "at least the first three questions" which he labeled as "political questions" about former President Donald Trump. Among the questions submitted by listeners were:

• Was Joe Biden legitimately elected president of the United States?
• Do you still support Trump following the events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol?

Despite her family's ties to the political world, Domenici has never held public office and this is her first political campaign. Since announcing her candidacy in February, Domenici has highlighted her concerns about inflation, crime, border security and childhood well-being.

Domenici and Heinrich will have a chance to address the people of New Mexico in two debates that are scheduled for October. Coincidentally, one of them will be co-sponsored by the radio station KKOB.