NBC calls Senate race for Heinrich (Update: Wilson concedes)

Shortly after all the networks projected Barack Obama to win reelection, NBC projected U.S. Rep. Martin Heinrich to win election to the U.S. Senate over former U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson.

The two were running to replace longtime U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman and it is the second straight U.S. Senate election where Democrats have defeated Republicans.

Last time, Tom Udall defeated Steve Pearce in a battle of U.S. Representatives. This time, Heinrich defeated Wilson who preceded him in the 1st Congressional District as Representative.

Wilson was considered the strongest possible Republican candidate, showing that a shift towards Democrats on a federal level wasn’t just a one-time phenomena.

The public polling in the race showed a consistent narrative — a race just outside the margin of error for Heinrich up to low double digits. The Wilson campaign tried to convince observers that the race was close with internal polls that showed a tied race and even a Wilson lead once. None of the other polls in the race showed anything close.

The race signals that a change in tone is perhaps needed to win statewide for federal races.

Update: