One of the most prickly, petulant, and downright disagreeable members of the New Mexico Legislature is finally throwing in the towel — at least in the House. Six-term Democrat Matthew McQueen announced he will not seek reelection to the Legislature, instead launching a bid for New Mexico Commissioner of Public Lands in 2026. For New Mexicans fed up with McQueen’s arrogance, condescension, and far-left extremism, the news is both a relief and a warning.
In a press release riddled with political posturing, McQueen declared, “I have the proven record of standing up to bullies and corruption.” But for many New Mexicans, McQueen has been the bully. His track record is one of vindictiveness, elitism, and hostility toward working-class values and rural communities.
Case in point: Edgewood, 2023. When the small town’s commissioners voted to uphold federal law through a pro-life ordinance consistent with the Comstock Act, McQueen threatened to retaliate. “I’m just going to have to reconsider how I allocate my capital outlay,” he sneered, implying he’d withhold funding from his own constituents. When a commissioner called out the threat, McQueen smugly doubled down: “Well, if you want to take it that way.”
He then insulted the town outright, saying, “Edgewood is insignificant.” That’s not standing up to bullies — that is being a bully.
Then there’s his radical land agenda. In 2023, McQueen pushed a sweeping “30 by 30”-style land grab bill — HB 45 — designed to gobble up New Mexico land in the name of “conservation,” which would have devastated working farmers, ranchers, and hunters. His bill was so extreme that even Democrats on the committee joined Republicans to kill it. Rural New Mexico sent a clear message: hands off our land.
McQueen’s abrasiveness isn’t confined to policy. His social media tirades have also drawn ire. In October 2022, he lashed out when confronted with facts about the horrific reality of late-term abortions and infanticide at UNM Hospital, angrily calling it “dangerous” and “disgusting.” But the receipts were undeniable, including testimony from abortionist Eve Espey herself, admitting babies were born alive and left to die. McQueen never apologized for smearing those who told the truth.
McQueen was also a major proponent of extreme gerrymandering of the state’s congressional map to benefit Democrats, resulting in all three of the state’s districts being pushed to the far left and hundreds of thousands of voters left disenfranchised, all while McQueen’s district got bluer. His rhetoric and inclination toward disagreement with all sides is likely not to land him many endorsements from the Legislature.
Now, this far-left trial lawyer wants to control 22 million acres of New Mexico’s trust land and minerals as State Land Commissioner — an office that generates over $2 billion annually for our schools and public institutions. He promises to “build on the successes” of radical incumbent Stephanie Garcia Richard and eco-activists like Jim Baca.
That should concern every New Mexican who values oil and gas jobs, property rights, and responsible land use.
While McQueen cloaks his ambition in lofty rhetoric about education and conservation, his record is clear: punish small towns, lie about abortion, push radical environmental schemes, and fight for far-left causes. He may call it “leadership.” Most New Mexicans call it being a condescending, gaslighting windbag.
i never understood why his district voted for McQueen. he wants higher gas taxes, higher everything taxes. He is not for the people, he is for THE STATE AND THE PARTY. mindless democrats will support him.
Did his parents have any kids that lived a man who believes in killing babies hates God and he was a mistake to be born
MLG’s abortion clinics are working. NM has no growth in population growth in the age bracket 0-19 years old. in fact, our we have NEGATIVE growth in our child population. its the second worst depopulation in the nation, behind calif. First MLG ruined the state, now she is depopulating it. Democrats are thrilled. all those caskets. BECAUSE THEIR VALUES
Those aren’t values, rather a lack of. God hates the shedding of innocent blood; what is more innocent than a baby in the womb?
its a power grab by McQueen. A one man tyrant who will do all in his power to destroy our oil and gas industry and push the electric car garbage. where is your tax revenue going to come from when he suceeds NM ? wake up for once in your lives voters.
Always follow the money, Democrats do.
This isn’t just about pushing his land grab agenda, it’s about lining his pockets.
He currently has a life long post on condition of his and his party’s continued bad behavior, the only reason to give that up is money.
He has developed a scheme to line his pockets with millions of taxpayer dollars, and that’s exactly the campaign I’d run against him.
The campaign against him must center on the question of why.
Why does someone give up a seat which they are almost guaranteed to hold for life, for any other position.
Why does NM have such trash, filthy garbage government, Republicans are afraid to try to run against the ‘do nothing’ dems that are so intrenched here in NM. MLG runs NM like her own little fiefdom. She is so intent to killing babies and destroying all of NM land and all that this state has, to benefit citizens. And our ‘leaders’ are doing all they can by supporting as much criminal activity as comes into this state. NM is almost last in everything that other states are doing their hardest to make good and improve. Not NM we want to stay on bottom. McQueen can’t be trusted. His ONLY interest is to line his own pockets with tax payers money. What rat hole has our ‘leaders’ come out of?? Satan in charge.
NM is a state BY AND FOR TRIAL LAWYERS. they run the state govt and the fool voters of NM elect them. They chased our health care providers right out of the state. they refused to deal with crime, drugs, homelessness. but the voters LOVE THEM and vote for them EVERY TIME. its so stupid a rational person cannot believe we live like this. if you go to a gas station there are warnings EVERYWHERE about the dangers of cigs and nicotine. but at weed shops, NOT ONE WARNING SIGN. read the news, weed is not healthy for your heart or mind. there are new studides coming out weekly on the dangers of weed. but its tax revenues so democrats sit silent. repubs do too ! money over people, thats the dem party.
A demon drunk on his power and corruption. The evilness with babies is chilling.