The 2002 New Mexico federal races represent both competitive and noncompetitive contexts to examine party and interest group activity. State and national party money flows to competitive contests, even when a candidate is well funded through her own war chest. Party money and activity was crucial in understanding the negative tone, flow of information, and election outcomes in these two competitive House races. Furthermore, ideological differences between candidates and the competitive nature of the race are key factors in understanding interest group activity. Interests groups were not dominant players in the Second District's competitive contest where the candidates were ideologically similar, but were important contributors to the tone and issue debate in the First District's race where the candidates were ideologically different. The noncompetitive races, however, produced no real party or interest group activity, suggesting that both political parties and interest groups are strategic actors.