Democrat state House candidate Raul Turrieta is facing scrutiny after a preserved recording from a March “No Kings” protest captured him on a hot mic appearing to joke about driving around a Silver City park and “run[ning] over people” — moments before realizing the Facebook Live broadcast was apparently still recording.
Turrieta is challenging Republican state Rep. Luis Terrazas of Bayard for House District 39, which includes portions of Grant, Hidalgo and Catron counties. He is the current chief deputy in the county assessor’s office.
The video was recorded March 28 during Silver City’s “We the People — All the People” rally at Gough Park, one of the local events connected to the nationwide “No Kings III” demonstrations against the current federal administration. Organizers explicitly advertised the Silver City event as part of the nationwide nonviolent protest movement.
A preserved copy of the Facebook Live recording reviewed by the Piñon Post shows Turrieta riding in a golf cart with Silver City Town Councilor Angela Salaiz, who was filming the broadcast.
At first, Turrieta can be heard talking about his campaign.
“Our next representative,” Salaiz says.
“Hey, I sure hope so,” Turrieta responds, adding, “We are here for the people. La gente.”
Then, after attention apparently turned away from the livestream, Turrieta made the remark that is now drawing attention.
“I guess we should drive around the gazebo and run over people,” he said, before adding, “Let’s do it. Let’s do it.”
Seconds later, Turrieta appeared to realize the livestream was still active.
“Oh, I didn’t know you had me,” he said.
The recording ends amid an apparent scramble to shut off the broadcast. It has since been deleted.
Salaiz is currently the District 1 member of the Silver City Town Council, according to the town’s official roster.
Brantley unloads over hot-mic moment
Republican state Sen. Crystal Brantley of Elephant Butte seized on the footage in a Facebook post supporting Terrazas.
“Yikes, Grant County! Hot mic mess!” Brantley wrote.
She praised Terrazas as an “honest and true legislator for southwest New Mexico” who has “consistently delivered results,” while blasting Turrieta’s conduct at the protest.
Brantley characterized Turrieta as “full of hot air” and accused him of making “foolish statements on a hot mic.”
The episode is particularly striking given that the event where Turrieta appeared was promoted by organizers as a peaceful protest centered on “democracy,” “human rights,” and opposition to what participants described as “authoritarian” government actions.
The remark puts the Democrat challenger in the position of explaining why a candidate for public office joked about running over people attending a public gathering.
Turrieta stakes out clear positions to Terrazas’ left
The controversy comes as voters are already being presented with a sharp policy contrast between Turrieta and Terrazas.
Turrieta has publicly backed a number of policies associated with New Mexico’s far-left.
During an October candidate forum, he said he supports New Mexico’s seven-day firearm waiting period and an “assault weapon” ban.
On abortion, Turrieta has argued the government should stay out of the decision, meaning opposition to any limit, even up to the date of birth.
“I trust women to make medical decisions with their doctor,” he said during a recent candidate forum, regarding abortion providers. “The government does not belong in a doctor’s office.”
He also opposes school voucher programs and has advocated expanding wind and solar energy while phasing out New Mexico’s oil-and-gas industry.
On immigration, he has used particularly aggressive language against the Trump administration, telling the Albuquerque Journal that Trump’s policies use ICE “to terrorize communities.” He also criticized proposals involving immigration enforcement near polling places.
Turrieta additionally supports creating a paid New Mexico Legislature, telling the Journal that lawmakers should receive a salary tied to the proposed constitutional amendment.
His campaign’s coalition also offers a window into his political alignment. In his Ballotpedia candidate questionnaire, Turrieta listed endorsements from Planned Parenthood, the American Federation of Teachers, and Conservation Voters New Mexico, among others.
Hot mic lands days before Election Day
Terrazas has represented House District 39 since 2021 and is seeking another term against Turrieta in the Nov. 3 general election.
The resurfaced March footage injects a far more explosive moment into the final days of the race.
Turrieta’s campaign messaging says elected officials should demonstrate “integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic” and treat constituents with respect.
Now, voters are hearing what the Democrat challenger said when he apparently thought the microphone was no longer listening.