Piñon Post

RFK, Jr. campaign praises Maggie Toulouse Oliver as he makes NM ballot

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s independent presidential campaign has officially secured a spot on the New Mexico ballot, as announced on Saturday. The campaign collected 11,202 signatures, significantly surpassing the state requirement of 3,561, which is half a percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse-Oliver certified Kennedy’s eligibility for the vote, as confirmed by his campaign.

“We appreciate Secretary Oliver’s efficiency in certifying the Kennedy-Shanahan ticket in New Mexico,” stated Paul Rossi, senior counsel for the Kennedy campaign. “It is refreshing for a secretary of state to avoid the partisan interference of election officials in Nevada and North Carolina.”

This follows recent challenges faced by Kennedy’s campaign in other states. In North Carolina, the Electoral College voted to exclude Kennedy and fellow independent candidate Cornel West from the ballot. Similarly, in Nevada, Kennedy’s petitions were invalidated due to the omission of his running mate’s name, prompting a lawsuit and the resubmission of revised petitions.

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Toulouse-Oliver’s office reviewed petitions from several independent candidates. Alongside Kennedy, Chase Oliver, the national Libertarian Party nominee, was also confirmed for the presidential race in New Mexico. However, petitions from Cornel West and Shiva Ayyadurai were rejected.

Kennedy, son of former New York Senator and 1968 presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of former President John F. Kennedy, is running as an independent candidate. According to FiveThirtyEight’s polling average, he is currently polling at nearly 10% nationally.

Kennedy’s campaign reports that he is now on the ballot in 10 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Michigan, Minnesota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, and New Mexico. The campaign has filed signatures in 12 additional states and claims to have collected enough in five more.

45th President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social in April that Kennedy is “far more LIBERAL than anyone running as a Democrat, including West and Stein,” referencing third-party candidates Cornel West and Jill Stein (Green Party). Kennedy chose a far-left attorney as his vice-presidential running mate.

Leftist NM columnist says NM Dems must call for Biden’s ouster

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a striking op-ed, Milan Simonich, a leftist columnist for the Santa Fe New Mexican, has called for Joe Biden to be replaced as the Democrat nominee for the 2024 presidential election. Simonich’s argument is rooted in a belief that Biden’s declining performance threatens to undermine the Democratic Party’s chances in closely contested races.

Simonich points to Biden’s recent debate performance against 45th President Donald Trump as particularly damaging, stating, “Biden no longer inspires confidence. Instead, he is on track to depress turnout, making Trump more formidable.” 

He writes that Biden’s presence at the top of the ticket could be detrimental, especially in swing districts, potentially tipping the scales in favor of Republican candidates like Yvette Herrell in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.

Herrell, a former Republican congresswoman, is seeking to return to Congress after a reportedly narrow loss to Democrat Gabe Vasquez in 2022. Simonich notes that “Biden’s presence at the top of the ticket might be enough to tip their rematch to Herrell.” 

The column also underscores the potential impact on other Democrat candidates, including Sen. Martin Heinrich. Facing a challenge from Republican Nella Domenici, Heinrich’s campaign could be adversely affected by Biden’s declining popularity. Simonich warns that “Heinrich’s campaign for a third term becomes harder with Biden heading the Democratic ticket.”

Simonich calls on New Mexico’s Democratic delegation to take a stand, criticizing their lack of action, commenting, “New Mexico’s delegation has exhibited no such courage or candor.” He argues that prominent Democrats must urge Biden to withdraw from the race for the good of the Democrat Party and the country. “For its own self-interest and the good of the country, the New Mexico delegation should tell Biden to withdraw from the election,” he writes.

Highlighting the broader implications, Simonich asserts that “Biden’s ego would be bruised by a Democratic uprising, but the alternative is much worse.” He claims that nominating a supposedly stronger candidate at the Democratic National Convention could reinvigorate the party and improve its chances of success in the general election.

Milan Simonich’s call for Biden’s replacement reflects growing concerns within the Democrat Party about his ability to lead them to victory in 2024. His far-left column emphasizes what he sees as the urgency of decisive action to secure a stronger future for Democrats, advocating for a new nominee who can galvanize the electorate and counter the Republican challenge effectively. According to leaked Democrat polls, the only formidable known candidate to go up against Trump in November would be former First Lady Michelle Obama, who is not interested in the position. 

Die-hard Biden supporter MLG casts doubt on Biden’s electability: Report

18 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

During a Wednesday call with 20 Democrat governors, Joe Biden claimed that “he underwent a medical checkup after last week’s debate and is fine, according to three people with knowledge of the discussion,” per a Politico report.

However, the appointment was “a short checkup by a White House physician in the days following the debate due to lingering symptoms from his cold. The exam, that person added, was brief and did not include any major tests.”

The disastrous debate left Biden increasingly vulnerable, as Republican 45th President Donald Trump is now leading in many swing states, including New Mexico and Virginia, per leaked Democrat internal polling. 

Politico noted that even Biden’s staunchest allies, such as New Mexico Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, are beginning to cast doubt on Biden’s electability, even in New Mexico.

“Two Democratic governors — Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico and Janet Mills of Maine — expressed concern to Biden over whether he could still win their blue-leaning states, describing them as competitive, two of the people with knowledge of the discussion said. In 2020, Biden won New Mexico by 11 percentage points and Maine by 9 points,” the report noted.

Lujan Grisham is a campaign surrogate for Biden, vowing she will “do everything I can” to stop Trump in 2024. 

The concern from the far-left Democrat governor appears to show that the dam is breaking, even with Joe Biden’s staunchest supporters. 

New pre-debate poll is great news for NM Republicans

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A new internal poll from Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici’s campaign shows New Mexico is very much in play in November, with Republicans barely trailing Democrats. The poll, which was taken before Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance, is great news for Republicans, who have not won a statewide New Mexico race in a decade.

The poll, reported by the National Journal, shows Domenici’s 42.2% barely trailing Heinrich’s 45.5% by 3.3%, while 9.7% remain undecided. 

“In the presidential race, Joe Biden led Donald Trump in a theoretical head-to-head election in New Mexico, 49%-47%,” wrote the National Journal’s Zac Weisz.

Weisz noted that “this poll was taken before the debate (June 19-24). The poll includes 600 likely voters, and the margin of error was +/-4.0%” 

A previous poll showed Domenici trailing Heinrich by single digits, validating that New Mexico is very much in play in 2024, with Democrats having a steep climb in the Land of Enchantment to cling to power. 

Following the presidential debate, an “eye-popping” poll from CBS News/YouGov revealed that only 27% of respondents believed that Biden “possesses the necessary mental strength needed for the grueling duties of the commander-in-chief, marking a drop in the finding from just over two weeks ago (35% ‘does,’ to 65% ‘does not’),” as reported by the New York Post.

Democrats across the board have widely condemned Biden’s performance during the debate, with many, including the leftist New York Times, calling for his replacement on the ticket. The Biden White House has pushed back on the reports, affirming that the 81-year-old Democrat will remain on the Democrat Party’s presidential ticket in November.

NM surprisingly leads the nation with the lowest cost of this: Report

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As Americans brace for what could be the hottest summer on record, the personal finance website WalletHub has released its 2024 report on Energy Costs by State. This comprehensive study, along with expert commentary, sheds light on how energy bills vary across the country and what factors contribute to these differences.

According to WalletHub’s analysis, New Mexico stands out as the state with the lowest average monthly energy costs. Residents of New Mexico enjoy an average monthly energy bill of just $376, making it the most cost-effective state for energy consumption. This is in stark contrast to Wyoming, which tops the list with the highest average monthly energy bill of $1,591.

WalletHub’s report compares the average monthly energy bills in each of the 50 states using a special formula that considers various residential energy types, including electricity, natural gas, motor fuel, and home heating oil. Here’s a snapshot of the findings:

States with the Lowest Energy Costs:

  1. New Mexico ($376)
  2. Arizona ($400)
  3. Kansas ($436)
  4. Texas ($437)
  5. Nebraska ($453)
  6. Mississippi ($457)
  7. Florida ($462)
  8. Colorado ($470)
  9. Louisiana ($474)
  10. California ($476)

States with the Highest Energy Costs:

  1. Wyoming ($1,591)
  2. North Dakota ($840)
  3. Iowa ($798)
  4. Montana ($787)
  5. Minnesota ($782)
  6. Massachusetts ($759)
  7. Connecticut ($750)
  8. Alaska ($716)
  9. South Dakota ($709)
  10. Virginia ($694)

The report also highlights various interesting facts about energy consumption across the U.S. For instance, Hawaii has the lowest average monthly consumption of electricity per consumer, which is 3.1 times lower than in Louisiana, the highest. Moreover, Washington boasts the lowest average retail price for electricity, which is 4.2 times lower than Hawaii’s.

In terms of natural gas prices, Idaho residents enjoy the lowest average residential price, which is 7.2 times lower than in Hawaii. When it comes to motor fuel consumption, New York drivers use the least, averaging 2.9 times lower than drivers in Wyoming.

For a detailed look at the rankings and to view the full report, visit WalletHub’s Energy Costs by State 2024.

Expert Tips for Reducing Energy Costs

Experts from WalletHub offer valuable advice on lowering energy bills. A WalletHub analyst, Cassandra Happe points out that simple measures like using energy-efficient light bulbs and moderating air conditioning and heating use can make a difference. Additionally, considering energy costs when planning a move can help families save significantly on their monthly bills.

Steven Hegedus, a Senior Scientist at the Institute of Energy Conversion, University of Delaware, suggests practical tips such as drying clothes on a clothesline instead of using a dryer and conducting home energy audits to identify cost-effective improvements like added insulation and energy-efficient windows.

Justin Perryman, an Adjunct Professor at Washington University School of Law, emphasizes the importance of reducing energy usage and shopping around for lower electricity prices in deregulated markets. He also notes that tax deductions and credits can be effective incentives for households to adopt energy-efficient measures.

With these insights, residents across the U.S. can take steps to manage their energy consumption better and potentially lower their monthly energy costs.

Missing person count drops to zero in Ruidoso fire crisis

2 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

All 29 individuals previously reported missing following the devastating wildfires in Ruidoso, New Mexico, have been located, according to the village’s mayor. “All the folks that we had on the missing list is now at zero,” Mayor Lynn Crawford announced at a community meeting regarding the South Fork and Salt fires.

Earlier this week, Mayor Crawford reported that over two dozen people were unaccounted for after the two wildfires, which erupted last week and led to the evacuation of the village, home to approximately 7,500 residents.

The fires, which have claimed two lives, have ravaged more than 25,000 acres in and around Ruidoso, as confirmed by New Mexico State Police. The blazes began on June 17 on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and spread eastward, driven by high temperatures and strong winds. The exact cause of the fires remains under investigation.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham reported that around 1,400 structures have been impacted, with an estimated 500 homes destroyed.

Urban search and rescue teams, utilizing 20 dogs trained to detect human remains, conducted secondary searches of the affected areas. “I’m happy to report we did not find any human remains,” stated Ernie Rhodes, the urban search and rescue operation chief for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Containment efforts have seen progress due to improved weather conditions, which have helped reduce fire activity. By Thursday, the South Fork Fire was 69% contained and the Salt Fire was 66% contained, as per the New Mexico Forestry Division’s daily update.

The community continues to recover from the extensive damage, with efforts ongoing to support those affected by the wildfires.

Panicked NM Dems run cover for Biden after debate bloodbath

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Thursday night, Democrat Joe Biden suffered the greatest humiliation likely ever known to an incumbent White House occupant when taking the debate stage on CNN against 45th President Donald Trump, who came off strong against the feeble leftist, who struggled to form sentences and rambled incoherently on many topics. The network’s Dana Bash and Jake Tapper moderated the debate, following strict rules agreed upon by both candidates.

Following the bloodbath, New Mexico Democrats scrambled to attempt to salvage what they could of what Biden left them.

Far-left Democrat state Sen. Harold Pope tried to blame CNN for the fiasco, writing, “We should have had @KyleClark moderating this debate!”

The Democrat Party of New Mexico denied all reality, writing, “From highlighting historic infrastructure improvements to protecting fundamental abortion rights, President Joe Biden showed tonight that he continues to deliver landmark achievements that directly benefit New Mexican families and deserves another term.”

After Biden was annihilated on the stage over his abortion up-to-birth and after birth policies, Maryland-dwelling Sen. Martin Heinrich wrote, “Would take days to fact check them all but let me make clear that there is literally no such thing as an after-birth abortion.”

In New Mexico alone, abortion up-to-birth policies have left women maimed and even killed, while babies have been killed even after birth. Infanticide has happened inside and outside of abortion facilities, including children being born and left to die on delivery room tables (at UNM Hospital).

Heinrich’s communications director Caty Payette was also caught tweeting clips of the HBO show “Veep” during the debate, showing the show’s Vice President Selina Myers character saying, “What the f**k?”

Far-left Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico’s First District wrote, “Donald Trump. Bad for democracy and bad for America.”

While Trump trails Biden in New Mexico, polls indicate that he is within a single digit of the Democrat. With such a major freakout from Democrats after Thursday’s debate, it is clear the Land of Enchantment very well could be in play in November.

GOP group’s massive ad buy: New Mexico set for political firestorm

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has announced an initial ad buy of $45.7 million for the 2024 election cycle, with significant investments in New Mexico aimed at strengthening and expanding their House majority.

Specifically, the NRCC has allocated $2,043,200 for the Albuquerque media market (DMA) and $688,800 for the El Paso media market, which includes parts of southern New Mexico. This targeted investment underscores the NRCC’s strategic focus on New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District (NM-02), which was identified as a key offensive opportunity back in March.

NRCC Chairman Richard Hudson highlighted the importance of these ads in addressing critical issues facing voters. “The NRCC committed from Day One to not just hold our majority, but go on offense to grow our majority – today we are putting our money where our mouth is,” Hudson stated. “This initial investment gives our candidates firepower to remind voters of the Biden border, crime, and inflation crises wreaking havoc on their daily lives. Extreme Democrats who enabled the chaos and malaise should polish up their resumes – they will be unemployed soon.”

The significant ad buy reflects the NRCC’s strategy to leverage media markets effectively to communicate their message and rally support for Republican candidates in critical districts. The focus on NM-02, in particular, indicates a concerted effort to reclaim and secure seats that are seen as vulnerable or pivotal for maintaining and growing their House majority.

As the 2024 election cycle progresses, these ad reservations mark the beginning of a broader campaign strategy aimed at addressing key voter concerns and drawing contrasts with Democratic incumbents.

For more details on the NRCC’s ad reservations and strategic plans, read the full memo here.

Will Baldwin walk free? Judge’s impending decision could decide

4 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

First Judicial District Court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer is set to issue a written decision by Friday on Alec Baldwin’s final motion to dismiss the involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal on-set shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on October 21, 2021.

Last Friday, Judge Sommer rejected several motions from Baldwin’s defense team, including requests to exclude state witnesses, to dismiss the case for failing to state a criminal offense, and to grant use immunity for Rust armorer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed. The hearing resumed on Monday after technical issues delayed witness testimony.

The remaining motion concerns the defense’s claim of evidence destruction, specifically the gun Baldwin used during the incident. Defense attorney John Bash criticized the prosecutors’ actions, calling them “some of the most egregious conduct” he had ever encountered. He argued that the defense was denied the opportunity to examine the gun’s internal components or even review photographs of it.

“The idea of criminal prosecution is in a sense that the cards are stacked against the state, but now they’re stacked against the defense. They got to review the gun, we never will,” Bash stated, emphasizing the gun’s potential exculpatory value, which could support Baldwin’s claim that he did not pull the trigger. Bash contended that the state was aware of this potential value but did not inform the defense about the planned destruction of the evidence.

The defense also accused the prosecution of acting in “bad faith.” Bash revealed that the defense had only recently learned of an exculpatory report from firearms expert Lucien Haag. In his report, Haag mentioned diagonal toolmarks on the sear of the weapon, which might not have resulted from Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) testing. Haag’s testimony, which began on Friday and concluded on Monday, suggested a change in his opinion about the toolmarks after gaining more insight into the FBI’s accidental discharge test.

If the case is not dismissed, Bash requested the court to suppress all evidence related to Baldwin pulling the trigger or, alternatively, to suppress the examination and testing of the gun.

Special Prosecutor Erlinda Johnson countered the defense’s arguments, asserting that they failed to prove the gun’s “perceived exculpatory value” was evident to law enforcement, a necessary condition for dismissal.

“This gun appeared perfectly fine,” Johnson argued. “There seemed to be nothing wrong with it.”

She noted that law enforcement had not received any request from the defense to review the gun. Johnson added that Baldwin’s team still had other avenues to pursue their case, such as questioning the officers who seized the gun, the FBI official who tested it, or Haag. She acknowledged the failure to send Haag’s supplemental report as an “oversight” but denied it was exculpatory.

“In that report, he did not say there were modifications to this gun. He said there were diagonal toolmarks of an unknown origin. He doesn’t say the FBI testing doesn’t create these,” Johnson explained. “That does not equate to bad faith at all whatsoever. That’s a red herring that the defense is bringing before this court.”

Before the court recessed on Friday, Haag testified that after reviewing various reports, footage, and other evidence, the gun seemed to function “as intended and designed by the manufacturer.” FBI forensic examiner Bryce Ziegler also testified, stating that prior to the accidental discharge test using a rawhide mallet, he performed several other functionality tests and found “no apparent damage or modifications that would’ve rendered this firearm unsafe.”

Jury selection for Baldwin’s trial is scheduled to begin on July 9, with the trial itself starting on July 10. If convicted, Baldwin faces up to 18 months in prison.

NM dubbed ‘America’s border graveyard’ while FBI makes major admission

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The southern border crisis has reached a critical point, particularly in areas where New Mexico, Texas, and Mexico converge. Dubbed “America’s border graveyard” by the Daily Mail, this region has seen an alarming number of illegal immigrant deaths, exacerbated by extreme heat and harsh desert conditions. 

The El Paso Sector of the US Border Patrol has already recorded 82 deaths this fiscal year, a sharp increase from 50 deaths at the same time last year, with expectations of setting a grim record for fatalities in the region, which encompasses West Texas and southern New Mexico.

As temperatures in the Chihuahua Desert soar into the triple digits, rescuers find migrants in dire conditions, often with bodies too hot to touch without protective gloves. Border Patrol spokesman Claudio Herrera highlighted the escalating danger, stating, “The numbers are increasing, temperatures are rising. We’re seeing triple digits constantly,” underscoring the perilous journey migrants undertake.

The summer heat has just begun, and already, the toll on human life is severe. A humanitarian worker, James Holeman, described the desperate situation: “It’s horrible. It’s really, really bad.” His organization, Battalion Search and Rescue, has been actively locating the remains of illegal immigrants who succumbed to the harsh conditions. In the first ten days of June alone, they found ten bodies. The challenge is further compounded by the fact that over half of the deceased are women, a higher proportion than seen along any other part of the US-Mexico border.

In response to the crisis, first responders have resorted to using ice baths as a last-ditch effort to save illegal immigrants on the brink of death from heat exposure. Captain Abraham Garcia of the Sunland Park Fire Department explained the severity of the situation: “We know that they are at 104, 105. We know that they are cooking internally. The brain starts malfunctioning. They have four or five minutes with brain damage, so we want to cool them as fast as we can.”

Illegal immigrants crossing into this part of the US often face brutal conditions even before they reach the border. Smugglers, or “polleros,” frequently abuse, dehydrate, and starve them, forcing them to endure perilous conditions without adequate preparation. 

Once in the US, many illegal immigrants are left to navigate treacherous terrain, including the dangerous Mount Cristo Rey, with limited food and water. Their guides abandon The unlucky ones and leave them to face the elements alone.

The FBI has acknowledged the broader implications of this border crisis, noting an increase in crime throughout New Mexico. Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI’s Albuquerque field office linked the surge in violence, drug trafficking, and overdoses directly to border security challenges. He emphasized the organized nature of illegal crossings, where illegal immigrants are often exploited by criminals who demand payment for passage into the US.

“If we’re not addressing from where it starts to where it ends and to where it continues to go then we’re missing a big part of it,” said Bujanda. ​​“Part of the problem that we have on the New Mexico side is we have an incomplete border. There is no structure that separates our country from Mexico.”

As illegals continue to face life-threatening conditions, the resources of local emergency services are stretched thin. The Sunland Park Fire Department, with just 24 members, is frequently called to rescue illegal immigrants in distress, diverting resources from serving the local community. Despite these efforts, the true scale of the crisis may be vastly underestimated, with many bodies never recovered from the desert’s unforgiving expanse.

Following the report from the Daily Mail, National Republican Congressional Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar said, “Gabe Vasquez doesn’t take the death and destruction from the border crisis seriously. New Mexicans deserve to be represented by someone who shares their values, and by ignoring the pain at the border, Gabe has shown he is clearly unfit to serve border communities.” 

@reproforall, X

The humanitarian and security crisis at the border underscores the urgent need for comprehensive solutions that address both immediate and long-term challenges as the toll on human life and community resources continues to mount. However, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham remains the only border state governor to refuse aid via the National Guard or other means to stem the flow of illegal immigration, fentanyl, and crime associated with the wide-open border.

1 … 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 … 65

Stay Updated

Scroll to Top