In past years, New Mexico was virtually ignored at the primary stage of Presidential campaigns.  However, due to the large Hispanic population, this year, candidates have been trying to gather support since June.  All of the major candidates ran their ads on Spanish-language television for weeks.

Democrat officials in New Mexico say that the state is crucial for the primaries because it will be a preview of how Hispanic voters will vote in November.  New Mexico has the largest Hispanic population of any state.

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On February 4, Wesley Clark gave a campaign speech in Jackson, Tennessee, where he declared that he would build a better America, “where everyone has a shot at the American dream, no matter where they're from, or what their background. And where we include everyone, recognizing that our diversity is our greatest strength.”

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Arizona’s border issues are becoming a politically charged concern for presidential candidates.  Problems began in Arizona when the Clinton administration hired thousands of agents in order to steer undocumented workers away from the San Diego and El Paso borders.  Arizona offered a dangerous but attractive alternative for smugglers and undocumented immigrants, and now is requiring border control attention.

Most Democratic presidential candidates, with the exception of former Vermont Governor Howard Dean and Ohio Representative Dennis Kucinich have said that they intend to add enforcement, just as Bush has in response to the rise in the numbers of undocumented immigrants. 

North Carolina Senator John Edwards also intends to increase the number of border agents and also to expand legal channels for immigrants to enter the country.  While Massachusetts Senator John Kerry has not announced his immigration intentions in detail, he has said he does not want to abandon the existing border enforcement tactics.

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Because the campaign trail has led Democratic presidential candidates to the Southwestern US, where Hispanics make up a substantial percent of the population, many are adjusting their efforts to appeal to these demographics. While candidates have mainly been focusing on poverty, immigration, education and other issues, the campaigns have determined that the same pitch will not attract all Hispanics, but could instead alienate a group that is working hard to rid itself of stereotypes. 

Although Hispanic voters generally lean towards Democratic candidates, they are concerned with capturing their votes this year due to the efforts Bush has made to pursue them.  Democratic candidates Kerry and Clark, as well as former candidate Lieberman, have created advertising and public relations campaigns that run in heavily Hispanic populated states such as New Mexico and Arizona.  Ads have been aired in both Spanish and English, and the candidates have visited border towns in order to listen to the people’s concerns in these areas.