The contest in one New Mexico swing district mirrors a larger, anxious electorate

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — On a warm Albuquerque evening with the majestic Sandia Mountains in the distance, New Mexico Democratic Congressman Gabe Vasquez is rallying supporters with a chant.

They're using a common Spanish refrain this time of year: "Si, se puede," which translates to "yes we can."

The supporters were celebrating the launch of Vasquez's new Albuquerque campaign office. Harley motorcycle riders, military veterans, state politicians and retirees all gathered from different corners of this large district in southern New Mexico, where two of the biggest issues in this election — immigration and abortion rights — are at the heart of a tightly-contested U.S. House race.

Democrats and Republicans both think they can win the state's Second Congressional District — one of the swingiest districts in the country. However, the outcome is anyone’s guess for this largely rural corner of the state that has flipped red to blue and back again for more than 50 years.

Vasquez's supporters believe the freshman congressman will be re-elected easily, even as he's facing a tough rematch. Vasquez beat former Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell by only by 1,350 votes in 2022.

"The momentum is behind him. He's done an incredible job," said state Sen. Antonio "Moe" Maestas.

"I think he's probably got a better job this time," said Karin Kalodimos, a new resident to the district from Nashville.

"As you can tell by the turnout, people are energized," said state Rep. Art De la Cruz.

The Second Congressional District stretches from Albuquerque to the state’s borders with Mexico and Texas. Vasquez likes to remind supporters the 2nd is larger than the state of Pennsylvania.

In an interview with NPR following a recent tour of