Yvette Herrell
Exploring the career and contributions of a New Mexico representative.
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Biographical Overview
Early Life and Heritage
Born Stella Yvette Herrell on March 16, 1964, in Ruidoso, New Mexico, she is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Her early education included Cloudcroft High School, followed by a legal secretary diploma from ITT Technical Institute in Boise, Idaho. She later attended New Mexico State University, though she did not complete her bachelor's degree.
Professional Background
Prior to her political career, Herrell worked as a realtor in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and later as a real estate broker for Future Real Estate. Her professional experience laid the groundwork for her understanding of local economies and community needs.
Political Affiliation
A member of the Republican Party, Herrell has consistently represented conservative principles throughout her career, focusing on issues such as border security, small business support, and limited government regulation.
New Mexico House of Representatives
Entry into Politics
Herrell first entered public service by winning the Republican primary for New Mexico House District 51 in 2010, defeating the incumbent. She subsequently won the general election, beginning her tenure in the state legislature.
Legislative Tenure
She served four terms in the New Mexico House of Representatives, from 2011 to 2019. During this period, she represented District 51 and was unopposed in several elections, demonstrating consistent local support.
U.S. House of Representatives
Representing New Mexico's 2nd District
Yvette Herrell served as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from January 3, 2021, to January 3, 2023. She was the sole Republican member of New Mexico's congressional delegation during the 117th Congress.
Historic Representation
Herrell holds several distinctions: she is the first Republican Native woman elected to Congress, the first Cherokee woman to serve in the House, the third Native American woman overall, and the second Native woman from New Mexico elected to the House.
Electoral Journey
2018 Congressional Race
Herrell was the Republican nominee for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district in 2018. In a closely contested race, she narrowly lost to Democrat Xochitl Torres Small. Herrell briefly alleged election fraud before conceding.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Xochitl Torres Small | 100,570 | 50.9 | |
| Republican | Yvette Herrell | 97,031 | 49.1 | |
| Total votes | 197,601 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
2020 Rematch and Victory
Herrell sought the 2nd district seat again in 2020, winning the Republican primary. In the general election, she defeated incumbent Xochitl Torres Small with 53.75% of the vote, securing her seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Yvette Herrell | 142,169 | 53.75 | |
| Democratic | Xochitl Torres Small (incumbent) | 122,314 | 46.25 | |
| Total votes | 264,483 | 100.0 | ||
| Republican gain from Democratic | ||||
2022 Re-election Bid
Herrell sought re-election in 2022 but narrowly lost to Democratic nominee Gabe Vasquez by less than 1% of the vote. This marked a shift in the district's representation.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gabe Vasquez | 96,986 | 50.3 | |
| Republican | Yvette Herrell (incumbent) | 95,636 | 49.6 | |
| Write-in | 51 | 0.3 | ||
| Total votes | 192,673 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
2024 Campaign
Herrell ran again for the 2nd district seat in 2024 but was unsuccessful, losing to incumbent Gabe Vasquez with 47.9% of the vote.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Gabe Vasquez (incumbent) | 138,177 | 52.1 | |
| Republican | Yvette Herrell | 127,145 | 47.9 | |
| Total votes | 265,322 | 100.0 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
Political Stances
Healthcare Policy
Herrell supports the repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), advocating for healthcare solutions based on free market principles.
Immigration and Border Security
She has called for the deployment of the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border and supports reforms to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Herrell also sponsored legislation to offer temporary asylum to Canadian truckers protesting vaccine mandates.
Second Amendment Rights
A staunch defender of Second Amendment rights, Herrell opposes legislation that would impede gun ownership and supports allowing concealed carry on school property.
Stance on Abortion
Herrell opposes abortion, supporting the overturning of Roe v. Wade. While she previously co-sponsored legislation that did not include exceptions for IVF, she later stated her support for protecting access to fertility treatments like IVF and believes abortion laws should be determined at the state level.
Education Policy
She believes the federal government's role in public education should be limited, emphasizing state and local control.
Land and Resource Management
Herrell supports legislation aimed at improving water rights, private property rights, and the management of public lands.
Committee Assignments
Committee on Natural Resources
Herrell served on the House Committee on Natural Resources, specifically contributing to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources and the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
Committee on Oversight and Reform
She was also a member of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, participating in the Subcommittee on Environment and the Subcommittee on Government Operations.
Caucus Memberships
Freedom Caucus
Herrell was a member of the Freedom Caucus, a group of conservative Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Republican Study Committee
She also participated in the Republican Study Committee, a large caucus of conservative Republicans focused on policy development.
Post-Congressional Career & Key Actions
Legislative Actions
During her tenure, Herrell voted against repealing the 2002 AUMF against Iraq and against the National Defense Authorization Act for 2022, citing concerns over provisions related to women's draft registration. She also voted against the American Rescue Plan and the Equality Act.
Post-Service
Following her term in the House, Herrell was nominated by President Donald Trump in June 2025 for the position of Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Affairs.
COVID-19 Stance
Herrell faced scrutiny for attending events that did not adhere to COVID-19 public health measures, such as mask-wearing and social distancing, and she criticized the mitigation strategies implemented by state Democrats.
Historical Context
New Mexico Delegation
Herrell was part of New Mexico's congressional delegation during the 117th Congress, serving alongside Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, and Representatives Deb Haaland, Teresa Leger Fernandez, and Melanie Stansbury. She was the only Republican in the delegation.
Election Challenges
Herrell's 2018 election loss was marked by allegations of fraud, and her 2022 re-election bid was lost by a very narrow margin, highlighting the competitive nature of New Mexico's 2nd congressional district.
References
Sources
Information presented here is drawn from publicly available data, primarily the Wikipedia article on Yvette Herrell.
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References
References
- https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/H001084
- https://www.congress.gov/nomination/119th-congress/345/8
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional political advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation or analysis of political careers and public service records. Always refer to official sources and consult with qualified professionals for specific needs.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.