The 1996 New Mexico Senate election was held on November 5, 1996, to determine which party would control the New Mexico Senate for the following four years in the 43rd New Mexico Legislature. All 42 seats in the New Mexico Senate were up for election. Prior to the election, 27 seats were held by Democrats and 15 seats were held by Republicans. The general election saw Republicans flip a two seats, thereby meaning that Democrats retained their majority in the State Senate.
Retirements Democrats District 13: Tito D. Chavez retired. District 16: Thomas T. Rutherford retired. District 24: Edward J. Lopez retired. District 41: Cary Don Reagan retired.
Republicans District 2: Christine Donisthorpe retired. District 19: Duncan Scott retired. District 20: Michael C. Wiener retired. District 33: Emmit M. Jennings retired.
Incumbents defeated In primary Democrats District 5: Emilio Naranjo lost renomination to Arthur Rodarte. District 11: Tom R. Benavides lost renomination to Linda M. Lopez. District 39: Liz Stefanics lost renomination to Phil Griego.
Republicans District 21: Tom C. Wray lost renomination to William Davis.
In general Democrats District 10: Janice D. Paster lost re-election to Ramsay Gorham. District 18: Ann J. Riley lost re-election to Mark Boitano.
Republicans District 9: Virgil O. Rhodes lost re-election to Pauline Eisenstadt.
Closest races Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
(gain)
(gain) (gain)
Results District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
References