Thanks to its status as a minority-majority state, and the increasing role the Hispanic vote is playing, the state of New Mexico is expected to be a swing state in the 2008 Presidential election. In addition, all three of New Mexico's congressional seats, and one of its senatorial seats, are open this year.
The following professors from the University of New Mexico Political Science Department are available to the press for national, regional and state-wide election stories. Please contact Benson Hendrix with UNM Communications and Marketing at 505.277.1816 or 505.269.5550 or bhendrix@unm.edu to schedule interviews.
Professor
The Department of Political Science
Dr. Lonna Atkeson is a professor and Regents' Lecturer in the University of New Mexico Political Science Department. Her research interests include political behavior, campaigns and elections, public opinion, political psychology, political parties, the media and politics, gender and politics, and political methodology in democratic societies, especially the United States.
Professor
The Department of Political Science
Prof. Christine Sierra, a professor in the UNM Political Science department, is an expert on American politics, race, ethnicity and gender in politics – with a special emphasis on Hispanic politics. In addition to these topics, she also researches social movements, interest groups, and immigration politics and policies.
Assistant Professor
The Department of Political Science
Michael Rocca's expertise for the 2008 election cycle lies in the area of American Politics, with an emphasis on American institutions. His specialization is on the United States Congress, with additional research interests in the areas of the American presidency, judicial politics, and political parties.
Assistant Professor
The Department of Political Science
Another new addition to the UNM Political Science department, Gabriel Sanchez is an expert in racial and ethnic politics in America, with a specific focus on Latino political behavior and minority representation in Congress.
Associate Professor
The Department of Political Science
Timothy Krebs is an associate professor in the political science department at the University of New Mexico. His expertise is in the areas of American politics, urban politics and policy, electoral behavior, and public policy. Krebs also serves as the department’s graduate advisor and is the book review editor for Urban Affairs Review, the premier journal of urban politics.