A self-proclaimed “democratic socialist” is attempting to unseat Rep. Gabe Vasquez from the left in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, launching a primary challenge that has quickly drawn attention—and controversy—on social media.
Tom Wakely, a Vietnam-era Air Force veteran and longtime progressive activist now residing in southern New Mexico, has been actively promoting his congressional campaign on Reddit, particularly in the r/LasCruces subreddit. In a lengthy thread titled “democratic socialist runs for congress,” Wakely personally engaged with commenters, solicited ballot-access petition signatures, and leveled sharp accusations against Vasquez and pro-Israel advocacy organizations.
In one exchange, Wakely claimed that Vasquez is influenced by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), despite other users pointing out that Vasquez has never received direct AIPAC donations. After a commenter stated that “Gabe Vasquez has never received AIPAC money” and instead received support from J Street, Wakely responded by asserting that AIPAC conceals its influence through intermediary Democratic PACs. “One of the tactics AIPAC uses to disguise who they want to donate to is to make the donation to a Democratic PAC,” Wakely wrote, adding that “greater transparency in politics is sorely needed.”
The comments sparked pushback from multiple Reddit users, some of whom challenged Wakely’s framing of Jewish and pro-Israel organizations. One user noted that “not all Israeli orgs are AIPAC,” while another questioned whether Wakely and his supporters understood that Jews are an ethnic group, not merely a religious or political identity.
The discussion devolved further when a commenter stated, “I don’t support Zionists. Period,” and argued that they vote against “ALL religious groups and theocracy-leaning political options.” Another user replied bluntly: “You’re aware Jews are an ethnicity right?” Wakely did not publicly distance himself from those remarks within the thread.
Wakely’s campaign rhetoric goes well beyond criticism of Vasquez. On his campaign website and in Reddit comments, he openly and inaccurately labels Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide” and accuses the Democratic Party of being complicit for continuing to support Israel. He has cited activist NGOs such as B’Tselem and has repeatedly attacked what he calls “Zionist organizations” for allegedly controlling U.S. foreign policy.
At the same time, Wakely positions himself as an “economic populist,” frequently quoting Democrat strategist James Carville to justify a dramatic shift leftward. In one Reddit post, Wakely cited Carville’s statement that “the Democratic Party must now run on the most populist economic platform since the Great Depression,” arguing that centrists like Vasquez are “part of the problem.”
However, Vasquez’s actual socialist voting record places him firmly within the far-left wing of the Democratic caucus. Since taking office, Vasquez has supported large federal spending packages, labor-backed legislation, climate regulations, and Democrat leadership priorities—positions that critics argue already align with socialist-leaning policy outcomes, even if he rejects the label. He has even repeatedly voted to deny protections for children from radical transgender ideology, even when a few in his own party in competitive seats, like the Second Congressional District, have disavowed it.
Vasquez has also been rabidly anti-Israel, even attending rallies at the Southern Border promoting open borders and trashing Israel, while standing arm-in-arm with pro-Palestinian terror organizations.
Several Reddit users openly questioned Wakely’s viability in a swing district. One commenter wrote flatly, “You can’t beat anyone.” Another said they would “hold my nose and vote for Vasquez if it’s him or a Republican,” reflecting concerns that Wakely’s rhetoric could jeopardize Democratic control of NM-02 in a general election.
Despite the skepticism, Wakely insisted in the thread that he could defeat both Vasquez and the eventual Republican nominee, claiming voters are “fed up with pro-business centrist politicians.” Yet even among sympathetic commenters, many indicated they would ultimately support Vasquez in November, regardless of the primary outcome.
As the 2026 cycle approaches, Wakely’s online presence underscores a growing ideological rift within the Democratic Party—one that pits self-identified democratic socialists against incumbents already voting for expansive government power, but viewed by activists as insufficiently radical. Whether that message resonates beyond Reddit remains an open question.
At least two viable Republican candidates, as well as perennially losing candidates, have registered to run in the Second District, including veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. and Albuquerque Police Department, Greg Cunningham. Cunningham has the endorsement of U.S. Department of Agriculture Assistant Secretary Yvette Herrell, who formerly served the Second District in Congress for two years.
Good news. Vasquez will tack even more left to prove his bona fides.