1986Final results
1986 election for New Mexico's 3rd District
U.S. House · New Mexico
William Richardson (D) won with 71.3% of the vote, defeating David F. Cargo (R) by 42.6 points.
William RichardsonDemocrat · winner
71.3%95,760
David F. CargoRepublican
28.7%38,552
134,312 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1986
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
William RichardsonDavid F. Cargo
$370.3K
Raised by the campaign
$88.4K
$354.8K
Spent by the campaign
$86.9K
$30.6K
Cash on hand
$1.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1986.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1986