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Copyright © 2018 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE – Locked in tight races with Election Day just two weeks away, New Mexico Republicans Steve Pearce and Yvette Herrell are getting a boost from the White House.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence plans to make a stop in Roswell on Friday to campaign for Pearce and Herrell, who are running for governor and for an open southern New Mexico-based congressional seat, respectively.

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Both candidates announced Pence’s visit on Monday via social media and email messages to supporters.

“Democratic leaders have taken New Mexico for granted,” Republican Party of New Mexico chairman Ryan Cangiolosi said in a Monday statement. “Now, just two weeks before Election Day, Republicans are going all in to deliver a win in the governor’s race, in the 2nd (congressional) District and down the ballot.”

Pence previously served in the U.S. House with Pearce, before being elected Indiana’s governor in 2012. After being selected by Donald Trump as his running mate in 2016, Pence made stops in Roswell and Albuquerque to stump for Trump.

His upcoming campaign stop in Roswell could represent an attempt to stir up GOP voter support and excitement in a traditionally Republican stronghold in the state.

Longtime New Mexico political observer Brian Sanderoff told the Journal the intent behind the vice president’s visit is clear, as Democrats have so far outpaced Republicans in terms of early voting totals statewide.

“Pence isn’t coming to Roswell to change anybody’s mind – he’s coming to town to energize the Republican base,” said Sanderoff, the president of Albuquerque-based Research & Polling Inc.

Pearce is running for governor against Democrat Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has outraised her Republican opponent and had a lead in the race as of early September, according to a Journal Poll.

As for Herrell, she is trying to keep the 2nd Congressional District in GOP control – Pearce is vacating the seat to run for governor – but is facing a spirited challenge from Democrat Xochitl Torrres Small in a race that has seen significant spending from outside groups.

Other Republican candidates could also attend the Friday event, which will be held at a hangar adjacent to the Roswell International Air Center.

Lujan Grisham has linked Pearce to Trump in recent political TV ads, and her campaign’s spokesman said Monday the president, vice president and GOP gubernatorial nominee are “too extreme” for New Mexico voters.

“It’s not surprising that Donald Trump would send Mike Pence to try to bail out Tea Party Republican Steve Pearce as his campaign battles corruption scandals,” Lujan Grisham campaign spokesman James Hallinan said.

Meanwhile, other national figures are also expected to make campaign stops in New Mexico in the run-up to the Nov. 6 general election.

For instance, U.S. Rep. Pramila Jaypal, D-Wash., will appear in Albuquerque on Thursday to campaign with Democratic congressional candidate Deb Haaland, who is running for the open 1st Congressional District seat.