After the death of incumbent Democrat senator Dennis Chavez, Gov. Mechem appointed himself to fill the vacant seat.
After the death of incumbent Democrat senator Dennis Chavez, Gov. Mechem appointed himself to fill the vacant seat.
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Mechem opposed and voted against the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/s409 HR. 7152. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref>
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Mechem opposed and voted against the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]].<ref>[https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/88-1964/s409 HR. 7152. PASSAGE.]. ''GovTrack.us''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref> He ran for election to a full Senate term that year, losing in the general election to Joseph M. Montoya by nine percentage points.<ref>[https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=29031 NM US Senate]. ''Our Campaigns''. Retrieved May 9, 2021.</ref>