As the Democrat near super-majority state House and Senate in New Mexico attempted to pass loads of far-left policies, the imminent 2024 election loomed over the Roundhouse.
Democrat political analysts are already playing defense for the Democrats who took horrible votes to increase gas prices, restrict gun ownership, and other unpopular measures.
Michael S. Rocca, an associate professor of political science at the University of New Mexico, states that the voters most attuned to legislative activities are likely already decided on their candidate or party preferences, rendering the session’s outcomes minimally influential.
“Michael S. Rocca, an associate professor of political science at the University of New Mexico,” he told the Santa Fe New Mexican, adding, “Which means, regardless of what is going on [in the session, has very little effect on voters.”
“The average voter does not pay attention to the daily activities of the Legislature,” said pollster Brian Sanderoff, discounting the voters’ attention to bills that will inevitably harm them — unlikely.
He said that political campaigns can “cherry-pick particular votes of a specific legislator in an effort to portray them as soft on crime, for example, or as someone who voted to create a new gas tax or whatever.”
Instances exist where a legislator’s cumulative record has become a liability, as seen in 2020 when a far-left push successfully ousted several moderate Democrats over votes on key issues like abortion. These outcomes were most notable in primary elections, which tend to expose incumbents to greater risk.
The defeat of the paid family and medical leave bill, opposed by a coalition of 11 Democrats and 25 Republicans, exemplifies the potential for legislative votes to surprise and shape political narratives. Despite this, Rocca suggests that legislators likely weigh the electoral implications of their votes carefully, often voting in a manner that aligns with their constituents’ preferences to secure reelection.
The emphasis on personal connections with voters, highlighted by outgoing Albuquerque Sen. Mark Moores (R) and Jerry Ortiz y Pino (D-Albuquerque), underscores the importance of grassroots engagement over individual legislative decisions. According to Ortiz y Pino, it’s often the personal interactions and constituency services that leave a lasting impression on voters, rather than the specifics of legislative records.
Despite some “experts” and their opinions on the horrible votes taken during the recent legislative session, such as all but one Democrat voting against increased reimbursement rates for the DD Waiver, the bad votes for things such as anti-gun bills and increases to gas taxes will certainly play a role — especially as many incumbent Democrats are retiring and leaving winnable seats up for grabs.
This article says it. We need to wake the hell up and vote all these democrats out of office, and the start watching who we put in office so they don’t start this shit all over again.
I’m with you Robert! Let’s vote them OUT!!!!
What I’m seeing here in Roswell is that most folks have no idea what’s going on in Santa Fe, nor do they seem to care. But most importantly the paper here and radio stations do not carry information or if they do it is one sided. Most watch TV from Albuquerque and their information isn’t the best. Most of us that are engaged are receiving our info via the internet. And because most Republicans are uniparty it doesn’t help with information. Very difficult to go against the grain!!
Well, let me be the first to say the examples of legislators who “weigh” the impact of a vote are both legislators who are not running again. Second, ask Jason Harper if there are miscalculations. He is facing not one, but two primary opponents. Joshua Hernandez is in trouble given his newly discovered business association with Egolf and multiple votes surfacing in the referendum project and increases in spending. I am sure the argument from Rocca and Sanderoff deal with the “average” voter. The average voter will see these votes because Republicans are now ready to force these guys to run on their records. 2A votes have conservative D’s ready to switch.
Democrats are corrupt thieves
Did the DDW bill pass for increased funding?
Any vote for a Democrat is a vote for Marxist-Leninism.
Personally I believe someone that is a democrat is a Marxist or a misinformed citizen. If you talk to most NMs they are conservatives, but not necessarily republican, and yes our information dispersion sucks. I live in the largest colonia in the US, there is little to no communication is from our elected officials to the people. Plus NM has a weak Republican party, the RNC which was run by a RINO has give very little $ if any, it is as though they have given up on our state. Many of our republicans are good folks, but they do not have a fight in them. It is time we start to groom our younger conservatives to take over our counties first, then our state, then send them to DC. I do not pay attention to the folks up north but we have one in southern NM that has that fight. Heck he is the guy running this sight.
Sounds like California
Grannie is correct, unfortunately, about the majority of moderate Republicans and Democrats. They have their head in the sand until a new tax or law gets passed and then they wonder how it happened. Voter turnout in NM is abysmal. And most don’t bother to research when they do vote.
There is no hope for my beloved NM. The writing is on the wall. You can’t save it. Leave the state and save ur families instead.
If every Christian voted, if every gun owner voted, and if every concerned parent voted, it would be a game changer. Sadly, some of these people are apathetic and not involved. Don’t put all the blame on the Republican party, many people not volunteering, helping candidates get elected (like John Block) and going on RPNM website to meet and greet candidates. Right now, there are municipal elections going on in my county and primaries will be coming up next. Make sure you know what is going on and get out and vote.