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Woke protesters at UNM have meltdown as school ends DEI

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The University of New Mexico (UNM) has found itself at the center of a growing national debate after it began rolling back its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. This shift comes in response to new federal guidance aimed at dismantling discriminatory practices that, under the guise of equity, have promoted race-based preferences, undermining the American principle of equal opportunity for all.

Eric Rodriguez, a student at UNM, admitted to the Santa Fe New Mexican that he might not have made it into the university on merit alone. “Maybe none of this would have happened,” he said, reflecting on his admission, which was aided by policies favoring Hispanic applicants and scholarships based on race (a moot point since New Mexico is a majority minority state). Now, with these systems being phased out, Rodriguez expressed uncertainty about the future for students like him. However, the real question is why anyone—regardless of background—should feel entitled to admission based on race instead of merit and character.

UNM’s decision follows a February 14 directive from the U.S. Department of Education warning schools to eliminate DEI-based admissions and employment criteria or risk losing federal funding. UNM President Garnett Stokes responded to criticism by saying that “adapting to new legal frameworks is not submission; it is a mechanism … to identify new paths for meeting our mission and achieving our goals while remaining compliant with federal law.” Her stance underscores a basic reality: no public institution can expect to retain federal dollars while willfully violating federal standards rooted in fairness and colorblind equality.

While the change has provoked backlash from left-wing student groups and faculty unions, it is a necessary and commendable course correction. Hundreds protested outside UNM’s Scholes Hall during a “National Day of Action,” accusing the school of “capitulating” to conservative political pressure. But what they fail to recognize is that DEI, as implemented, has become a thinly veiled system of racial favoritism—one that punishes individuals based on immutable characteristics like race or gender while rewarding others under the false pretense of justice.

Steph Flores of the UNM Graduate and Professional Student Association demanded that administrators not just “say” they support minority students but show it. However, true support must come through fostering academic excellence and personal responsibility—not permanent reliance on identity-based handouts.

Notably, critics like Mark Campbell of Students for Justice in Palestine brushed off funding concerns, mocking UNM’s financial limitations. Yet, unlike billion-dollar institutions like Harvard, UNM’s endowment sits at around $500 million—hardly an excess cushion to risk over ideological posturing. Harvard may indulge in defiance, but UNM seems to be prioritizing fiscal survival.

Even allegations of visa revocations for international students have been weaponized by protest organizers without evidence, revealing how far the outrage machine will go to prop up failed DEI programs.

President Trump’s administration and its ideological heirs are not attempting to strip rights away—they are working to restore a system based on merit, equality under the law, and individual dignity. Programs that treat people differently because of their race are not progressive; they are regressive and unconstitutional. 

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Despite MLG’s pro-abortion campaign, NM sees decrease in abortions

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

While abortion rates across the United States continue to rise, New Mexico has seen a noteworthy decline — a trend that many pro-life advocates view as a hopeful sign of cultural and spiritual change. A recent report by the Guttmacher Institute, an organization that supports abortion up-to-birth, confirms that the number of abortions in New Mexico fell by 11% in 2024, dropping from nearly 21,000 to approximately 18,600. This decline breaks from the national trajectory, where the overall number of abortions grew by about 1% last year, reaching an estimated 1.04 million.

This decrease in abortions in New Mexico is especially significant considering the state’s surge in procedures following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. In the months after the ruling, New Mexico’s abortion rate skyrocketed by more than 78%, making it one of the top destinations for women from nearby states like Texas, where strong pro-life protections were enacted. In fact, in 2023, Texans accounted for 68% of all abortions in New Mexico, representing nearly 14,000 of the procedures performed.

However, despite aggressive promotion from pro-abortion politicians and the use of taxpayer dollars to lure abortionists to relocate to New Mexico, the tide appears to be shifting. In 2024, the number of out-of-state patients declined slightly as well, from 70% of all abortions in 2023 to 69% last year. While the percentage change may seem small, the total number of abortions dropped by more than 2,000 overall.

This downward trend signals that fewer women are making the tragic choice of abortion, even in a state where abortion remains legal up to the date of birth. That change may be due in part to increased education, public awareness campaigns, and spiritual outreach. Organizations like Abortion Free New Mexico have actively sought to reach women through billboard campaigns along major highways from Texas, offering messages of love and encouragement to mothers in crisis. One reads simply, “Mommy. Be brave and turn around. I love you.”

Tara Shaver, spokesperson for the group, emphasized the importance of standing up for the unborn: “We believe that women in Texas are protected by their state’s laws, and they should not be able to circumvent those laws by coming to New Mexico.” Despite opposition from Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has funneled millions in public money to build abortion facilities and recruit out-of-state abortionists, many New Mexicans continue to stand up for life. According to polling, most New Mexicans are pro-life.

The governor’s “Free to Provide” campaign, which used $400,000 in taxpayer funds to draw abortion providers from other states, along with her push for $10 million to build a new clinic in Northern New Mexico, underscores how invested the state’s leadership is in promoting abortion. But the declining numbers suggest that New Mexico’s residents — and perhaps even those coming from out of state — are beginning to make different choices.

MLG’s abortion hotline referring women to ‘The Satanic Temple’ abortion facility

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NM Dems react after first GOP candidate Gregg Hull steps into governor’s race

46 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Rio Rancho Mayor Greggory “Gregg” Hull has officially launched his campaign for governor in New Mexico’s 2026 Republican primary, igniting swift backlash from the state’s Democrat establishment—but also shining a spotlight on the growing dissatisfaction many New Mexicans feel under current Democratic leadership. In a release, Hull stated he will formally announce his campaign on June 2, precisely one year before the general election, marking his transition from municipal leadership into the state’s highest-stakes political arena.

Hull, who has served as mayor of Rio Rancho since 2014 and won his third term in 2022, emphasized public safety, job creation, infrastructure development, and education as cornerstones of his platform. On his campaign website, he notes that during his tenure, the Rio Rancho Police Department’s budget has more than doubled, and the city has consistently ranked among the safest in New Mexico. Although 2024 did see a rise in homicides, Rio Rancho still earned a place on Livability’s list of the top 25 best places to live in the Southwest, a reflection of the city’s overall strong governance under Hull.

Hull’s focus on combating crime sharply contrasts with the soft-on-crime policies that have plagued the state under Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is term-limited. Hull is advocating for increased law enforcement presence across the state, greater border security to combat the fentanyl epidemic, and a zero-tolerance stance on violent crimes and offenses against children. These priorities are resonating with many New Mexicans frustrated by skyrocketing crime and a state government that seems more interested in progressive virtue signaling than solving real-world problems.

Within hours of Hull’s announcement, the Democratic Party of New Mexico issued an aggressive statement attempting to discredit his candidacy, claiming, “New Mexicans remember how disastrous a GOP governor can be,” and referencing the Susana Martinez administration. They accused Hull of being a “Trump lackey” and painted a glowing picture of Democratic rule, touting so-called progress on abortion access (legalization of abortion up-to-birth with no protections for women, children, or medical professionals), early childhood education (a multi-billion-dollar slush fund), and “climate” initiatives that are driving jobs out of the state in droves.

However, their rhetoric quickly falls apart under scrutiny. Under Democrat control, New Mexico has consistently ranked among the worst states in the nation in multiple key categories. The state is dead last in education, with some of the lowest math and reading proficiency scores in the U.S. It also ranks at or near the bottom for child well-being, economic opportunity, infrastructure quality, and healthcare access. According to U.S. News and World Report, New Mexico remains the most dangerous state in the country, plagued by violent crime and drug abuse. The state is also among the worst for child poverty and unemployment. These aren’t abstract issues—they are measurable failures that have left everyday New Mexicans worse off.

While far-left Democratic candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman may be leading in fundraising (due to them announcing sooner), Hull’s campaign represents something far more potent: the potential for accountability and a return to common-sense governance. Despite that, he has already reportedly raised $210,000.

As crime surges, the economy stagnates, and public schools continue to fail, many voters are questioning whether the so-called “progress” under Democrat leadership has amounted to anything more than empty slogans. Hull’s entry into the race offers a stark alternative—one grounded in results, not political cheap shots. Learn more about Hull’s campaign via his website.

NM Dems react after first GOP candidate Gregg Hull steps into governor’s race Read More »

Vasquez once again sides with criminal aliens in latest move

34 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), a far-leftist in Congress, is once again attacking commonsense border protections—this time railing against President Donald Trump’s directive to establish a military buffer zone along the U.S.-Mexico border from California through New Mexico.

In a statement issued Monday, Vasquez called the strategic deployment of military assets to secure the Roosevelt Reservation—a federally controlled strip of land 60 feet wide running the length of the border from California to New Mexico—“misguided and wasteful,” dismissing the President’s action as a “made-for-TV stunt.” His full-throated opposition comes even as his own district, located in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, includes numerous border communities grappling daily with illegal crossings, drug smuggling, and human trafficking.

Despite these serious threats, Vasquez continues to undermine efforts to restore control at the border. He bizarrely claimed that Trump’s move comes “during a record time of low crossing numbers” — thanks to the President’s actions to protect the homeland, unlike his predecessor, Joe Biden.

Vasquez’s hostility toward border security is nothing new. He has consistently taken fringe positions aligned with open-borders activists. On his official Twitter account, Vasquez denounced the border wall as “racist” and called for it to be “torn down,” declaring: “Let’s tear it down. The wall is not only ineffective and costly—it is a symbol of hate. It’s time for a new approach rooted in compassion and real solutions.”

In the same post, Vasquez accused border enforcement infrastructure of being “a symbol of hate,” further cementing his record of prioritizing inflammatory rhetoric over practical solutions. This is despite overwhelming evidence that fencing, surveillance, and manpower are key deterrents to illegal border crossings and criminal enterprise along the U.S.-Mexico corridor.

The far-left congressman also has repeatedly voted against banning criminal aliens from voting in U.S. elections — further cementing his push to promote illegal immigration into the country. 

Vasquez’s open-borders language and continued embrace of policies that weaken U.S. sovereignty paint a troubling picture. At a time when border communities are overwhelmed, and national security threats loom large, Vasquez appears more concerned with political theater and virtue signaling than with protecting his own constituents. His repeated rejection of efforts to strengthen America’s borders not only puts New Mexicans at risk—it betrays the very oath he took as a member of Congress.

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‘Die Elon’: Terrorist busted–FBI nabs Dem behind attacks on Tesla, GOP HQ

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Federal authorities have charged 40-year-old Jamison Wagner of Albuquerque with two counts of arson tied to politically charged firebombing attacks on both a Tesla showroom and the Republican Party of New Mexico headquarters, labeling the incidents as acts of domestic terrorism.

Wagner, a self-styled radical, was arrested on April 12 following an extensive federal investigation involving the FBI, ATF, Albuquerque Police, and other law enforcement agencies. 

According to a profile he has on “500 Queer Scientists,” he describes himself as “queer and I am an electrical engineer.” It has been independently verified through voter registration records that Wagner is a registered Democrat.

“I have a B.S. in electrical engineering, and am starting my Masters in EE this summer. My track specialty is electromagnetics/plasma physics and I’m currently working as an intern for a national lab doing PCB design for x-ray imaging,” he wrote. 

He shared via Facebook in November of 2024 the same graphic that state Rep. Liz Thomson (D-Albuquerque) shared comparing police officers to the KKK. In a post from December 31, 2020, he called for their complete abolition. Other posts from Wagner include support for the anti-police Black Lives Matter organization, posts calling law enforcers “bas****s,” and content praising homicidal communist leader Karl Marx. 

In other posts, Wagner shared content reading, “The Republican Party is the party of white supremacist fascism. That’s all it stands for,” in an ironic take, as his actions appear to be those of fascists bringing down the opposition instead of engaging in the republican democratic process.

In other posts, Wagner described himself as “bisexual” and, in others “non-binary.” 

He has shared violent content before, including a graphic reading, “Guillotine 2020,” alluding to assassination.

Officials linked Wagner to the February 9 firebombing of the Tesla showroom in Bernalillo and the March 30 arson attack on the RPNM headquarters in Albuquerque, both carried out using homemade incendiary devices.

According to the criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, Wagner used improvised “napalm” devices packed in glass jars to ignite fires at both sites, leaving behind spray-painted anti-Tesla and anti-ICE messages including “DIE ELON,” “TESLA NAZI INC,” and “ICE = KKK”​. The graffiti and incendiary devices bore similar markings — hand-written letters “I” or “H” — linking the two incidents. Wagner’s tactics, the DOJ alleges, mirror those of left-wing extremists who target ideological opponents with violence.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi minced no words: “Let this be the final lesson to those taking part in this ongoing wave of political violence. We will arrest you, we will prosecute you, and we will not negotiate. Crimes have consequences.”

Deputy AG Todd Blanche called the attacks “dangerous felonies” that should not be mistaken for protest. “Hurling firebombs is not political protest,” he said. “We are coming for you, you can’t hide, and you will do serious jail time to pay for your crimes.”

FBI Director Kash Patel was even more direct, stating that Wagner’s arrest is “part of the FBI’s aggressive efforts to investigate and hold accountable those who have targeted Tesla facilities in various states across the country.” He added, “Under Attorney General Bondi’s leadership, we will continue to locate and arrest those responsible for these acts of domestic terrorism.”

The evidence against Wagner is damning. Agents recovered from his home eight fully assembled incendiary devices, red and black spray paint, stencils matching those used at the crime scenes, and clothing seen in surveillance footage. Wagner’s white 2015 Hyundai Accent was also caught on video fleeing the scene of the RPNM attack. The license plate had been tampered with, and the plate lights were taped over — deliberate attempts to evade detection​.

Wagner’s criminal complaint further details his connection to the scenes through forensic evidence, surveillance footage, and even physical traits, including his 6’4” height and balding head — both noted by investigators from videos of the Tesla fire​.

“This arrest marks a critical step toward justice in the firebombing that targeted a Tesla dealership and the New Mexico Republican Party Headquarters,” said ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada. “This is what ATF does best: we follow the evidence, we find the truth, and we bring offenders to justice.”

If convicted, Wagner faces up to 40 years in federal prison.

Federal officials are treating the case not just as arson but as a politically motivated terrorist act — a designation that sends a clear message: violence against political or corporate targets will not be tolerated in a civilized society.

Wagner remains in custody pending a detention hearing. The investigation is ongoing.

To read the criminal complaint from the U.S. Department of Justice, please click here.

This is a developing story…

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Last in education, first in excuses: NM loses millions after failing to spend funds

35 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The Trump administration has taken a bold step to ensure accountability and fiscal responsibility in the handling of pandemic-era education relief funds—ending a previously granted extension for New Mexico to spend the remaining $12.3 million in federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds. In a March 28 letter, Linda McMahon of the U.S. Department of Education notified state education leaders that the liquidation period for these funds was being cut off effective immediately.

The decision came as a wake-up call to New Mexico’s education bureaucracy, which had failed to efficiently utilize its allotted federal aid. Despite being granted nearly $980 million in total relief through ESSER during the pandemic, New Mexico still had millions left unspent, with state officials citing supply chain issues and inadequate staffing. But McMahon’s letter made it clear: “By failing to meet the clear deadline in the regulation, you ran the risk that the [U.S. Department of Education] would deny your extension request.”

In other words, New Mexico had ample time to deploy these resources—yet, as with many government initiatives in the state, the follow-through was lacking.

Lieutenant Governor Howie Morales, a Democrat and former educator, reacted angrily, calling the decision a “reckless and abrupt termination” that would impact students across the state. He claimed it would disrupt after-school programs, HVAC upgrades, and even outdoor classroom projects—yet failed to address why these projects weren’t completed in the years prior.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez joined the chorus of complaints, calling the decision “unacceptable and reckless,” and announced that New Mexico was joining over a dozen other Democrat-run states in suing the Trump administration. The lawsuit alleges that the reversal would strip schools of “essential resources like food, classroom supplies, [and] special education for teachers.”

But what’s truly “unacceptable,” critics argue, is that Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s New Mexico’s Public Education Department—despite being granted an extension through March 2026—still hadn’t managed to allocate the full amount efficiently. This is in a state that ranks dead last in education outcomes nationally, falling behind every other state and even the District of Columbia. According to longstanding rankings, New Mexico continues to struggle with low test scores, high dropout rates, and chronic absenteeism.

While the state now scrambles for another extension, the Department of Education has signaled that the era of open-ended pandemic spending is over. McMahon made it clear in her letter that “extending deadlines for COVID-related grants, which are in fact taxpayer funds, years after the COVID pandemic ended is not consistent with the Department’s priorities.”

The state had intended to funnel the remaining millions toward tutoring, after-school activities, and infrastructure upgrades in school districts, including Bloomfield, Deming, and Moriarty-Edgewood. However, the funds sat largely untouched despite the pressing academic needs brought on by the pandemic—another example, critics say, of bureaucratic mismanagement in a chronically underperforming education system.

Public Education Department spokesperson Janelle Taylor García confirmed the agency plans to apply for yet another extension. But with the Department of Education signaling that prior approvals are not guaranteed and “may be reconsidered,” the clock may have finally run out.

Despite the blow, Morales insists, “I’m not going to give up. I will continue to fight for our students and our educators who need these after-school, summer learning and tutoring programs.” Still, observers note that a true fight for students might start with taking responsibility for why the state fell behind in deploying resources in the first place—especially when the Trump administration is demanding that taxpayer dollars be used wisely and efficiently.

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Vindictive MLG vetoes ‘State Bread,’ license plate bills to punish Dems

35 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a dramatic and unmistakably vindictive move, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham unleashed a political tantrum on Friday, vetoing a slate of bills—most notably Senate Bill 315, which would have designated the tortilla as New Mexico’s official state bread. The veto wasn’t about bread, though—it was about revenge.

The governor’s veto message dripped with frustration as she lashed out at the Legislature, blaming Democratic leadership in both chambers for failing to move forward with her policy priorities. Instead of working collaboratively or responsibly, the governor torched legislation ranging from cultural designations to tax relief and public safety funding—effectively using her veto pen to punish lawmakers who didn’t do her bidding.

“I am vetoing this legislation to send a clear message,” the governor fumed, pointing to what she claimed was a failure to prioritize “urgency” in the final hours of the session. But the message was clear before she wrote a word: if the Legislature won’t pass her bills, she’s willing to sabotage even bipartisan efforts, including those introduced by children.

The tortilla bill, inspired by Las Cruces student Adaline McIntosh, was a heartfelt proposal intended to celebrate the state’s rich culinary heritage. But the governor instead reduced it to political collateral damage. In a feeble attempt to soften the blow, Lujan Grisham added a perfunctory line praising McIntosh’s civic engagement—but it rings hollow after turning the student’s dream into a bitter example of gubernatorial spite. Lujan Grisham claimed that because New Mexico has a “state cookie, a
state amphibian, two state vegetables, a state song, a Spanish language state song, a state ballad, a
state bilingual song, and a state cowboy song,” that the veto is justified.

The veto came with a slew of additional casualties. Among the dozens of bills killed:

  • HB 14: Expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, which would’ve delivered relief to working families.
  • HB 120: Accessibility upgrades for state agencies.
  • HB 143: Strengthened lobbying transparency.
  • HB 191: Critical funding for wildfire preparedness.
  • HB 494: Tax exemptions for veterans.
  • SB 142: The Grid Modernization Roadmap, essential for updating aging infrastructure.
  • HB 219: Creation of the Slot Canyon Riverlands State Park.
  • SB 327 and SB 377: License plates celebrating lowriders and New Mexico United.
  • H.B. 36: Critical change to allow health care access to rural New Mexicans who have to drive long distances for ophthalmology care.

All were axed not because of policy objections, but because of perceived legislative disloyalty. The vetoes weren’t about principle—they were about punishment.

For New Mexicans looking for leadership in times of crisis, this kind of performative petulance is the last thing the state needs. Instead of working across the aisle or finding compromise, Lujan Grisham chose political theatrics—derailing cultural recognition, environmental progress, and even tax breaks for veterans just to make a point.

With this veto spree, the governor has made her priorities crystal clear: her agenda comes first, and if the Legislature dares to question it, the people of New Mexico will suffer the consequences. Whether it’s tortillas or tax relief, nothing is safe from her scorched-earth strategy.

Now, with an election year looming, Democrats who aligned with the governor may find themselves in hot water with constituents who wanted action—not petty politics.

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SOS Toulouse Oliver freaks out as U.S. House passes key election integrity bill

40 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The U.S. House of Representatives made a decisive move this week to protect the integrity of American elections by passing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a bill that ensures only U.S. citizens are allowed to register and vote in federal elections. Despite bipartisan support for the common-sense measure, all three of New Mexico’s Democrat representatives—Teresa Leger Fernández, Melanie Stansbury, and Gabe Vasquez—voted against the bill, aligning themselves with far-left opposition rather than standing up for election integrity.

The SAVE Act mandates that individuals provide documented proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections—an overwhelming majority of Americans believe this requirement already exists. Shockingly, in many states, including New Mexico, voter registration processes do not require verified documentation of citizenship, leaving gaping holes in the system that could be exploited.

Yet, instead of praising this step toward greater public confidence in elections, prominent New Mexico Democrats erupted in outrage.

“Rest assured, I am a definite NO on the SAVE Act,” wrote U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, telegraphing his opposition before the Senate even considers the bill.

New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver issued a lengthy statement criticizing the legislation, calling it a threat to voter accessibility. “This legislation would impose stringent proof-of-citizenship requirements that threaten to disenfranchise many eligible voters in our state,” she said, suggesting erroneously that the bill would harm Native Americans, rural voters, and women who’ve changed their names after marriage.

Oliver also made the dubious claim that noncitizen voting is “exceedingly rare,” calling the bill “a solution in search of a problem.” However, recent polling and investigations have shown growing concerns among Americans over the possibility of voter fraud, particularly in states with lax voter registration requirements. The SAVE Act directly addresses those concerns by closing loopholes and reinforcing the principle that U.S. elections should be decided by U.S. citizens—nothing more, nothing less.

Most notably, freshman Rep. Gabe Vasquez, who faces a tough reelection battle in a battleground district, is now on record opposing a bill to prevent noncitizens from voting in federal elections. This position may prove politically toxic as Vasquez’s Republican challenger is certain to hammer him for putting partisan politics over secure elections.

While Democrats like Heinrich, Oliver, and Vasquez paint the bill as draconian, many Americans view the SAVE Act as a much-needed, commonsense safeguard. It’s no wonder the bill passed with bipartisan support. In an era where trust in elections has waned, requiring proof of citizenship to vote is a rational and fair way to help restore faith in the system.

New Mexico voters, especially those in competitive districts, may want to ask themselves: Why are their elected officials so afraid of proving citizenship at the ballot box?

With the SAVE Act now headed to the U.S. Senate, the spotlight turns to Sens. Heinrich and Luján. Will they continue to side with fringe voices, or will they stand up for the sanctity of American elections?

SOS Toulouse Oliver freaks out as U.S. House passes key election integrity bill Read More »

High-profile Dem jumps into governor’s race, rebuking Trump, ‘radical left’

28 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The New Mexico gubernatorial race is heating up with the entry of Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman into the Democrat primary. Bregman, a seasoned attorney with over three decades of legal experience, officially announced his candidacy for governor in the upcoming 2026 election. ​

In a campaign video, Bregman attacks President Trump and Department of Government Efficiency advisor Elon Musk, claiming Musk is a puppet of the president and that they are “attacking” the state. He erroneously claimed the same long disproven talking points that Trump is “gutting Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.” 

Bregman’s legal career has been marked by attempts at “social justice” and pushing radical anti-gun legislation. Appointed as Bernalillo County District Attorney in January 2023 by lame-duck Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, he has claimed to put a focus on combating rising crime rates and building safer communities.

Bregman (far-left) at a press conference with Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Democrat anti-gun lawmakers, and anti-gun activists. https://twitter.com/BerncoDa/status/1618373196729749508?s=20

Bregman will face Deb Haaland, the former U.S. Secretary of the Interior under Joe Biden and a former congresswoman representing New Mexico’s 1st District. She announced her gubernatorial bid in February 2025, emphasizing her dedication to addressing issues such as climate change, tribal sovereignty, and social justice.

But Bregman appears to be tying Haaland to “weak” Democrats by saying regarding supposed “attacks” from Trump that they have been “weak, ineffective, and complicit with all this madness. And it’s the intolerance of the radical left that has divided our party.” He added, “Whether it’s them or the MAGA extremists, they’ve all hijacked our politics.” 

While Haaland’s candidacy has garnered national attention due to her historic role in the federal government, Bregman’s extensive experience within New Mexico’s legal and political landscape positions him as a formidable contender. His background as a defense attorney and his leadership in the state’s busiest judicial district have provided him with a deep understanding of the challenges facing New Mexico communities. Bregman’s focus on public safety, judicial efficiency, and community collaboration resonates with voters concerned about crime and justice. ​

As the Democrat primary approaches, the race between Bregman and Haaland is expected to be closely watched. Both candidates bring strangely similar perspectives and policy positions. With two high-profile names on the Democrat side for governor, it is sure to be a present to the Republican Party, as the matchup between the two Democrats is sure to get nasty and expensive. 

As of now, no Republican candidates have formally announced their intention to run for governor in the 2026 election.

High-profile Dem jumps into governor’s race, rebuking Trump, ‘radical left’ Read More »

Vasquez claims it’s racist to criticize his extreme far-left record

49 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a recent Roll Call interview, New Mexico Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez attempted to reframe growing criticism of his radical political record, claiming it stems from his identity as a “Hispanic male.” He told the publication, “They used misinformation to paint me as an extremist,” adding, “I think so much of that was really … them wanting to discredit me as a Hispanic male.”

But as scrutiny of his positions intensifies, the facts show Vasquez is far from the moderate image he attempts to portray — instead aligning himself with some of the most extreme factions in Congress on issues ranging from border security to energy policy.

Vasquez represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District — a vast, working-class, majority Latino district in the southern and western part of the state that President Trump carried in 2024. Yet despite the district’s conservative lean, Vasquez has toed the party line with shocking consistency. According to Roll Call, “a CQ Roll Call analysis of his 2024 voting record found that on votes that split the parties, Vasquez stuck with House Democrats 87.2 percent of the time.” Even more strikingly, “on House votes on which President Joe Biden took a position, Vasquez sided with him 91.7 percent of the time.” Only 57 House Democrats voted with Biden more often.

That makes Vasquez one of the most extreme partisan members in a seat that is supposed to be one of the most competitive in the country. And despite running as a “moderate,” his record tells a different story.

Vasquez has attacked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and called to dismantle the southern border wall. “Time to take down the wall that’s been financed and is being constructed with illegal funds,” he said in a now-deleted tweet. He has harshly criticized law enforcement agencies charged with border security, all while falsely claiming to be a pragmatist on immigration.

His views on energy are no less radical. While the 2nd District is home to the oil- and gas-rich Permian Basin — one of the largest energy-producing regions in the world — Vasquez has aligned himself with Green New Deal-style policies that threaten the livelihoods of thousands. Although he has occasionally paid lip service to oilfield jobs, his consistent support for environmental restrictions and climate change mandates sends a clear message. Roll Call quoted him saying: “I’m not here to take any of that away. What I am here to do is to say, ‘How can we do this better? How can we do this cleaner?’” — a phrase that many in the industry view as code for more regulations and fewer jobs.

In addition to his troubling policy stances, Vasquez’s personal history also includes legal red flags. He failed to appear in court for driving without a license, resulting in an outstanding arrest warrant that remained active for over a decade until March 2024 — after he was elected to Congress. This negligence raises questions about his respect for the law and accountability.

On gun rights, Vasquez has also taken a far-left turn. After a shooting in Las Cruces, he used the tragedy to call for sweeping federal gun control laws, including mandatory gun storage laws that many believe violate Second Amendment protections.

While Roll Call portrays him as trying to avoid “conflict with Republicans or folks who voted for Trump,” Vasquez undermines his own case with his hyper-partisan voting record and out-of-step positions. Still, he blames Republican attacks on his background: “They used misinformation to paint me as an extremist,” he told Roll Call, adding, “I think so much of that was really… them wanting to discredit me as a Hispanic male.”

But in a district that has flipped five times since 2008 and was carried by Donald Trump in 2024, voters are less likely to be concerned about Vasquez’s ethnicity than his record of extremism. With the National Republican Congressional Committee targeting the seat in 2026 and local GOP leaders calling the district “definitely flippable,” Vasquez’s far-left record may prove politically toxic.

As Roll Call notes, “The strategy that Vasquez should take as a Democrat in a Trump district would be exactly what he’s doing: filtering out the national scandals and focusing on what he can do for [his] constituents.” Yet, with his policies consistently aligned with the most progressive elements in Washington, voters in New Mexico’s 2nd District may soon decide that what Vasquez is doing is not what they want.

Vasquez claims it’s racist to criticize his extreme far-left record Read More »

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