Piñon Post

Republican announces bid to unseat Stansbury

22 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a bold challenge to the far-left status quo in New Mexico’s First Congressional District, Rio Rancho pharmacist and small business owner Ndidiamaka “Didi” Okpareke has officially announced her candidacy for Congress as a Republican, setting her sights on defeating Democrat incumbent Melanie Stansbury in the 2026 election.

Okpareke, a first-generation American and proud New Mexican since 1997, brings a unique blend of real-world experience, conservative values, and a no-nonsense approach to problem-solving. The daughter of Nigerian immigrants who fled the devastation of the Biafran war in pursuit of the American dream, Okpareke’s story is one of grit, faith, and resilience. She attended Sandia High School, graduated from the University of New Mexico, and went on to become a licensed pharmacist. In 2016, she took a leap of faith and launched her own small business, Olive Tree Compounding Pharmacy, where she works daily to craft personalized health solutions for her customers.

Now, after nearly three decades in the Albuquerque area, Okpareke says enough is enough.

“New Mexicans are fed up,” said Okpareke. “We’re facing sky-high crime, economic uncertainty, collapsing public education, and a healthcare system in flux. But instead of working across the aisle to actually fix anything, Melanie Stansbury would rather film sound bites on the House floor to boost her social media following. That’s not leadership—it’s narcissism. And New Mexicans deserve better.”

As a mother of three boys, Okpareke says the stakes are personal. She warns that the American dream her parents risked everything to chase is slipping further out of reach—especially in New Mexico, where crime is rampant, businesses are burdened by overregulation, and leftist policies are failing children in the classroom.

“We are living in a New Mexico nightmare,” Okpareke said. “Families like mine are worried that our kids will inherit a state with fewer opportunities, more danger, and fewer freedoms. We need to turn things around now.”

Her message to voters is clear: it’s time to replace empty progressive posturing with bold conservative action.

“As a business owner, I’ve learned that when you want something done right, sometimes you have to do it yourself,” Okpareke added. “That’s why I’m running for Congress. I’ll bring common sense to Washington and fight to protect the values that make this country worth fighting for—faith, family, freedom, and opportunity.”

With a background rooted in hard work, a deep connection to New Mexico, and a passion for restoring the promise of the American dream, Okpareke is positioning herself as the conservative fighter ready to deliver results—not rhetoric—for New Mexicans. Find out more about Okpareke at her website linked here.

Republican announces bid to unseat Stansbury Read More »

‘God is not being taken away’? Doña Ana County kills public prayer in 4–1 vote

19 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A centuries-old tradition grounded in American history and constitutional protection was dealt a blow Tuesday, July 22, as the Doña Ana County Commission voted 4–1 to eliminate public prayer from its meetings. The decision rescinds Resolution 2018-25, which had formally allowed invocations from community members, including faith leaders, medical personnel, and first responders.

Since 2018, nearly every county meeting began with a moment of prayer—an act affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Town of Greece v. Galloway, which held that ceremonial invocations do not violate the Establishment Clause so long as they remain voluntary and inclusive. But on Tuesday, commissioners argued the practice might appear exclusive or divisive. Critics say they offered no credible evidence to back the claims, instead bowing to pressure from secular activists and fringe voices seeking to erase faith from public life.

Chairman Christopher Schaljo-Hernandez acknowledged the unusually high turnout for the meeting. “We passed a $387 million budget without a single public comment,” he noted. “But tonight, because prayer is on the agenda, we’ve had overwhelming participation.” Twenty-one residents spoke on the matter, with comments sharply divided.

Former Commissioner Isabella Solis, who frequently delivered invocations herself, told the board, “Evangelical and Catholic communities significantly shape our county. You have a profound responsibility to reflect the values and beliefs of your constituents.”

Conservative leaders blasted the vote. Amy Barela, Chairwoman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, said, “Doña Ana County’s decision to eliminate public prayer is a blatant erosion of constitutional freedoms. This is not about neutrality—it’s about silencing faith. The First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion, not the forced absence of it.”

Jodi Hendricks, Executive Director of New Mexico Family Action Movement, echoed that concern: “This vote reflects a growing misunderstanding of both the Constitution and the role of faith in public life. We will continue to stand with New Mexicans who value faith, freedom, and the First Amendment.”

While some critics of the invocation policy claimed it was inherently exclusive, the data tells a different story. According to the county, 71% of invocations were Christian, 7% Catholic, 5% Jewish, and 3% nondenominational. One Native American ceremony in 2024 drew backlash, highlighting the difficult balance between inclusion and intolerance.

Commissioner Susana Chaparro was the only dissenting vote. “Prayer doesn’t have to name a religion to be meaningful,” she said. “We shouldn’t throw away a respectful tradition because of a few bad-faith actors.”

Other commissioners, including Manuel Sanchez and Gloria Gameros, argued for a moment of silence as an alternative, suggesting it offered a more “neutral” approach. Gameros insisted, “God is not being taken away… people can pray silently.”

But to many residents, the vote represents something deeper: a shift away from the moral foundations that shaped the nation. “This isn’t about a moment of silence,” said one local pastor. “It’s about pushing God out of government, one meeting at a time.”

The controversy is far from over. Faith-based advocates and constitutional watchdogs are already mobilizing to challenge what they see as an unnecessary and discriminatory reversal of religious freedom. For many, Doña Ana County has become the latest battleground in a growing national fight to defend faith in the public square.

‘God is not being taken away’? Doña Ana County kills public prayer in 4–1 vote Read More »

Government programs failing miserably as NM youth crisis deepens: Report

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A new report from WalletHub confirms what many New Mexicans have seen firsthand: the state is failing its young people. Ranking third in the nation for most at-risk youth, New Mexico continues to suffer from a toxic mix of academic decline, drug use, poverty, and youth disengagement. The study, which analyzed all 50 states and Washington, D.C., looked at 15 indicators of youth risk—from dropout rates to drug abuse—and found New Mexico near the bottom in nearly every category.

The state, ran almost exclusively by Democrats for nearly a century, ranked #1 for the percentage of youth without a high school diploma, and #7 for disconnected youth—those neither working nor in school. Combine that with a top-5 ranking in youth drug use and obesity, and it paints a bleak picture for the next generation. Despite numerous government programs and increasing education budgets, there appears to be little improvement in outcomes for the very people these systems claim to serve.

More troubling still is that New Mexico ranks #10 for youth poverty and #19 for youth homelessness, illustrating that despite years of increased funding for “anti-poverty” and “youth engagement” initiatives, many young people remain directionless and vulnerable. These aren’t just numbers—they represent a growing population of young Americans who are falling through the cracks, with very real consequences for the state’s future economic stability and social well-being.

The national average for disconnected youth stands around 13%, but in states like New Mexico and Louisiana—the latter of which ranked worst overall—the rate is even higher. The second-worst state was Mississippi. According to WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo, “A high share of youth who are not working, not getting education and generally stagnating in life can spell trouble for the future.”

While WalletHub’s panel of academic experts advocates for more “culturally relevant” programs, increased community engagement, and expanded social services, the evidence suggests that the ongoing expansion of bureaucracy and government involvement has only exacerbated the problem. With many of these initiatives focused more on political correctness than practical results, New Mexico’s youth are stuck in a system that offers plenty of ideology but few real-world skills or opportunities.

The reality is that young people don’t need more empty programming—they need clear expectations, strong families, and access to real job training and educational standards that prepare them for adult life. Parents, not agencies or activist nonprofits, remain the most crucial factor in ensuring that kids stay in school, find work, and build purpose in their lives. As one expert put it, “authoritative parenting”—a combination of support and discipline—is still the gold standard.

Rather than expanding failed programs or pushing new “youth empowerment” initiatives riddled with ideological jargon, New Mexico would do better by holding its institutions accountable and promoting individual responsibility, real academic achievement, and job readiness. Without a severe course correction, the state risks continuing this generational failure—one that leaves young people unprepared and taxpayers on the hook for the consequences.

View the full WalletHub report here. 

Government programs failing miserably as NM youth crisis deepens: Report Read More »

Stansbury scrambles to explain link to Ghislaine Maxwell amid public scrutiny

23 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Democrat U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico’s First District is scrambling to rewrite her own history after official documents linked her to a nonprofit once led by convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein.

The controversy began when the Piñon Post credibly and factually reported on a 2021 financial disclosure form filed by Stansbury during her campaign for Congress. The document, submitted on February 19, 2021, listed “Terramar Project – Woburn, MA” as one of her former employers.

That name and location match exactly with the TerraMar Project, a now-defunct nonprofit founded and led by Maxwell. The organization gained notoriety for its ties to Epstein and its sudden closure just days after his 2019 arrest on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was later convicted for her role in trafficking and grooming underage girls.

In response, Stansbury’s team told the Santa Fe New Mexican amid questions to issue a statement dismissing the report as a “lie” and “100% false.” Her spokesperson, Caroline Sweeney, claimed the listing was due to a “computing error” by campaign staff who had “mistakenly clicked on an auto-populated field” when entering her financial information into the House system.

But public records and House ethics rules cast serious doubt on that explanation.

According to the official 2021 House Financial Disclosure Instruction Guide, filers must manually enter each employer when completing the form. There are no dropdowns or auto-filled fields that could “accidentally” insert “Terramar Project – Woburn, MA” into the record. 

“Filers must input their reportable information the first time… the system then retains this information for future filings,” the guide states.

Also, no other congressional candidate or individual required to file such a form has ever entered TerraMar in Woburn, Massachusetts before, making the story even more implausible.

Even more telling: Stansbury had already listed “Terramar Consulting Group – Santa Fe” correctly on a 2020 New Mexico state disclosure. That means she knew the correct employer name — and chose something else in her federal filing.

Only after the Rio Grande Foundation filed a public complaint linking the disclosure to Maxwell did Stansbury amend her form. On April 21, 2021, she quietly changed it to say “Terramar Consulting Group – Santa Fe, NM.” Then, in a 2022 disclosure, she listed a third variation: “Terramar, Inc.,” another Santa Fe entity, which had been incorporated and dissolved by Cristina Mormorunni — behind the “Terramar” entity in Santa Fe — and campaign donor to Stansbury.

Stansbury’s team alleges the Democrat U.S. representative helped with a project sponsored by the Hewlett Foundation, but no such report or documentation has any trace of Stansbury whatsoever that can be publicly identified.

Facts show that Stansbury’s evolving story doesn’t pass the smell test.

House ethics rules make clear that Stansbury is personally responsible for the accuracy of her filings — staff cannot be blamed for errors.

Until she provides documentation — such as contracts, pay stubs, or client letters — proving she worked exclusively for a local “Santa Fe” firm without any ties to Maxwell’s entity, the original disclosure stands as the most credible account of her consulting past.

For now, one thing is certain: the only person who connected Melanie Stansbury to Ghislaine Maxwell’s nonprofit was Melanie Stansbury herself.

Stansbury tells displaced Diné energy workers just to sell ‘your art or your wool’

Stansbury scrambles to explain link to Ghislaine Maxwell amid public scrutiny Read More »

Another Dem declares candidacy for lt. gov. nomination in crowded primary

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a political environment dominated by big-city progressives and career insiders, Jackie Lee Onsuarez is pitching himself as a rural, working-class alternative in the 2026 race for New Mexico lieutenant governor.

Onsuarez, 58, currently serves as a senior staff specialist at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP), a vital federal facility tied to New Mexico’s energy economy. He’s also nearing the end of his first term as mayor pro tem on the Loving Village Council, where he represents about 1,200 constituents — many of whom feel forgotten by Santa Fe elites.

“I’m an advocate for the people,” Onsuarez said in an interview with Source NM. “I bring to the executive branch a set of diversified skills that nobody has there.”

Despite his alignment with the Democrat Party, Onsuarez strikes a populist tone that sharply contrasts with the far-left progressives who dominate the Capitol. He’s running, he says, because “embedded Democrats and Republicans” have turned a blind eye to rural communities and practical concerns like infrastructure, health care, and crime.

His resume includes international experience working in chemical plant construction across Saudi Arabia, India, China, and the U.K., as well as a master’s degree in electrical engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. He also served by gubernatorial appointment on the New Mexico Emergency Response Commission, adding emergency management credentials to his portfolio.

This makes him an unusual figure in a field dominated by left-wing politicians more interested in identity politics than the nuts and bolts of governance.

In fact, Onsuarez enters a crowded Democrat primary alongside two well-known far-left figures: current State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, who is term-limited, and State Sen. Harold Pope, a progressive from Albuquerque. Both are deeply entrenched in the Santa Fe political machine, and both have built careers by pushing policies that often alienate rural New Mexicans — particularly those tied to the oil and gas industry.

Onsuarez, by contrast, embraces his Southeast New Mexico roots. “I’m the Democrat that lives in New Mexic, where at least 35% of the revenues are generated for New Mexico’s general fund,” he said. “We rural New Mexicans need a seat at that table.”

That table, of course, is currently dominated by urban leftists pushing climate mandates and anti-industry policies — many of which threaten the economic livelihood of the very regions Onsuarez represents.

While he has not yet raised or spent campaign funds, Onsuarez says his experience in small-town government has equipped him to preside over the state Senate, where the lieutenant governor plays a key procedural role.

“I’ve written laws that I tried to introduce, but they didn’t get very far,” he said. “I’ve written a lot of ordinances, and I’ve worked closely with our legal department. I certainly have the expertise to be able to learn something — and with respect to presiding over the Senate, I have the skill set to do it.”

Onsuarez isn’t endorsing any gubernatorial candidate yet, distancing himself from the three leftist names in the Democrat race: Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Bernalillo County DA Sam Bregman, and ex-Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagashima.

Meanwhile, the Republican field is also taking shape, with Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull leading the GOP ticket for governor. Manuel Lardizabal is the only declared Republican running for lieutenant governor so far, though more conservatives are expected to enter the race.

Whether Onsuarez can survive a Democrat primary increasingly dominated by radical urban progressives remains to be seen — but his campaign may highlight growing fractures within the party between rural pragmatists and Santa Fe ideologues.

Another Dem declares candidacy for lt. gov. nomination in crowded primary Read More »

‘Think NM’: While doctors flee NM, radical group fights to keep crisis going

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a fiery new op-ed, Think New Mexico Executive Director Fred Nathan is taking aim at a secretive, left-wing dark money group accused of undermining desperately needed reforms to New Mexico’s collapsing health care system. The group, called “New Mexico Safety Over Profits” (NMSOP), is now the subject of a lawsuit from the New Mexico Ethics Commission for allegedly violating campaign finance laws by failing to disclose its donors while spending tens of thousands of dollars on efforts to kill medical malpractice reform.

At the center of the controversy is Senate Bill 176 — a bipartisan attempt led by Think New Mexico to modernize the state’s outdated and lopsided medical malpractice laws. These reforms aim to make New Mexico more hospitable to doctors and health care providers who are fleeing the state in alarming numbers. Between 2019 and 2024, New Mexico was the only state in the nation to lose physicians, while every other state saw increases.

Think New Mexico’s report identified the state’s uniquely hostile malpractice environment as a significant factor. Unlike other states, New Mexico has no cap on attorneys’ fees, no limit on punitive damages, and the lowest legal threshold in the nation for awarding those damages. “This statute is great for trial lawyers,” Nathan wrote, “but not so great for folks trying to find a doctor.”

According to investigative reporting from Searchlight New Mexico, NMSOP has close ties to the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association, whose members have a direct financial interest in preserving the current system. Searchlight exposed a pattern of unethical tactics used by the group to deceive the public and silence reformers. Rather than disclose their funding sources as required by law, NMSOP told reporters, “We certainly will not be disclosing our donors.”

The Ethics Commission wasn’t buying it. It sued the group, stating plainly, “New Mexicans have a right to know who is funding lobbying campaigns.”

Now, in what appears to be a desperate smokescreen, NMSOP is launching political attacks on Think New Mexico — a nonpartisan think tank that has successfully championed reforms ranging from ending predatory lending to repealing the food tax. NMSOP claims Think New Mexico is doing the bidding of corporate health interests, citing two local independent foundations that provided grant funding but were originally seeded through the sale of health care companies years ago.

Nathan called the accusation misleading and hypocritical, noting that Think New Mexico is fully transparent about its donors and publishes its financials online every year. In contrast, NMSOP refuses to reveal even a single name behind its funding while spending large sums to protect the status quo.

The truth, according to Nathan, is that trial lawyers and their dark money allies are scared — and for good reason. SB 176 may have failed in committee by a razor-thin 5–4 vote, but it earned 24 bipartisan co-sponsors, and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham backed reform in both her State of the State address and post-session remarks.

“The tide is turning,” Nathan wrote. “And the desperation of those trying to stop reform only proves how necessary it is.”

With New Mexico facing a health care access crisis, the question now isn’t who’s funding the reform effort — it’s why the groups fighting it are so determined to keep their own donors hidden.

‘Think NM’: While doctors flee NM, radical group fights to keep crisis going Read More »

Stansbury said she worked for Maxwell—Now she’s pointing fingers at Trump

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), best known for her performative politics and online posturing, attempted to mock President Donald Trump this week by invoking the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and a supposed “client list” that has fueled internet speculation. But Stansbury’s swipe at Trump immediately backfired, given her own troubling connection to Epstein’s inner circle.

In a viral post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Stansbury shared a meme renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of Donald Trump is on the Epstein Client List.” She captioned the image with a smug, “Just going to leave this right here,” racking up over 44,000 views and a flurry of mixed reactions.

What the Democrat failed to mention, however, is that she herself reported that she once worked for an organization founded by none other than Epstein’s longtime confidante, convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

According to her official disclosure in 2021, Stansbury listed the TerraMar Project as a former employer — a nonprofit that was created and fronted by Maxwell under the guise of ocean conservation.

TerraMar wasn’t just any nonprofit. It was founded by Maxwell in 2012 and dissolved suddenly in July 2019, just six days after Epstein was arrested again on federal sex trafficking charges. Despite being promoted with TED Talks, UN speeches, and Clinton Global Initiative tie-ins, the organization gave zero dollars to any actual environmental programs between 2012 and 2017. IRS documents showed high legal fees, unpaid debts, and minimal legitimate activity, raising questions about what TerraMar actually did — and who it really served.

TerraMar logo, Wiki Commons.

The project’s unusually shallow infrastructure, financial irregularities, and sudden shutdown just six days after Epstein’s 2019 arrest — all of which have fueled speculation that TerraMar may have provided Maxwell and Epstein with a respectable public-facing platform to launder money, build elite contacts, or conceal elements of their sex trafficking operation.

Tax filings even revealed TerraMar owed Maxwell over half a million dollars personally when it shuttered. Meanwhile, the organization claimed lofty goals of “shared global ocean governance” but was widely criticized as being hollow — a PR front cloaked in environmental buzzwords.

Maxwell, who founded TerraMar and led it as president, was later convicted in 2021 on five counts related to the trafficking and sexual abuse of minors.

So while Stansbury attempts to score political points by erroneously tying Trump to Epstein, despite no connection whatsoever, and him directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to release whatever appropriate information she can, the far-left Democrat Stansbury might want to revisit her own résumé.

Her social media antics didn’t go unnoticed by New Mexicans. One commenter wrote, “You’re still tied with Gabe Vasquez for the worst Rep. in the history of our State — but this is still really funny!” Another sarcastically praised the post while ignoring the hypocrisy.

The bigger story here isn’t a meme — it’s that a sitting member of Congress, who once worked for an Epstein-linked entity led by a now-convicted trafficker, is trying to deflect attention by dragging President Trump into the narrative. If guilt by association is the standard, Stansbury might be staring into a mirror.

New Mexicans deserve better than cheap social media stunts. They deserve transparency, especially from politicians with ties to one of the most notorious abuse networks in modern history.

Stansbury refuses to eat crow at DOGE hearing after humiliating math fail

Stansbury said she worked for Maxwell—Now she’s pointing fingers at Trump Read More »

Radical activist admits: NM is the hub for child gender mutilation

29 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A disturbing interview from a far-left activist is shedding new light on the coordinated efforts of radical organizations and individuals who aim to push irreversible transgender procedures on children, and New Mexico is at the center of this dangerous campaign.

Mandy Giles, founder of the extremist group Parents of Trans Youth, appeared at a protest in Houston this week defending the practice of transporting minors across state lines for so-called “gender-affirming care,” which often includes hormone injections, puberty blockers, and genital mutilation surgeries. In the interview, she confirmed that New Mexico—a state with virtually no restrictions on transgender procedures for minors—is one of the top destinations for these procedures.

“There’s not many surrounding states… the closest to us is New Mexico—to Albuquerque—which is a long way away,” Giles told the interviewer when asked where Texas families are going for such procedures. “A lot of families are finding care in Washington State, Oregon, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York…”

That shocking admission highlights how New Mexico, under its Democrat-controlled government, has become a magnet for irreversible, life-altering procedures on vulnerable children. Rather than protecting minors from exploitation, the state has become what critics rightly call a gender mutilation sanctuary—offering surgeries and cross-sex hormones without meaningful oversight, age limits, or parental accountability.

While Texas lawmakers have acted decisively to protect children from these irreversible harms—passing Senate Bill 14, which prohibits doctors from providing puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries to minors—activists like Giles are working overtime to circumvent these safeguards.

Even more alarming, Giles admitted that nonprofits such as the Campaign for Southern Equality are now actively involved in helping families smuggle children across state lines for these procedures. “They provide navigational help for families to find those clinics and doctors and transportation help,” she said, also referencing financial “microgrants” that grease the wheels of this medically and ethically questionable process.

Giles’ own bio paints a picture of someone deeply embedded in the transgender advocacy machine. A past president of PFLAG Houston and an Equality Texas leadership graduate, she has testified multiple times in opposition to laws designed to protect children from radical gender ideology. Her organization, Parents of Trans Youth, openly promotes affirming minors’ confusion and fast-tracking them toward experimental medical interventions, using her status as a parent of “two nonbinary young adults” to influence other families.

Despite her claims of compassion, Giles is pushing an agenda that many see as deeply harmful and irreversible. The long-term effects of hormone therapies and transgender surgeries are still being studied, but countries like Sweden and the UK have already begun to reverse course, halting youth transition procedures due to mounting evidence of harm.

New Mexico’s role as a destination for these procedures deserves scrutiny. Why are Democrats in the state legislature not only tolerating but encouraging the trafficking of vulnerable minors into their state for irreversible medical experimentation? Why are New Mexico taxpayers footing the bill for policies that could leave a generation of children permanently scarred?

As Texas strengthens its laws to protect children from irreversible harm, New Mexico appears to be racing in the opposite direction—becoming a haven for out-of-state activists who believe ideology should triumph over biology, medical ethics, and common sense.

For the safety of children, this dangerous pipeline must be exposed and stopped.

Radical activist admits: NM is the hub for child gender mutilation Read More »

Finally! A list where NM ranks at the top — and it’s delicious

7 Comments / New Mexico / By

In a rare showing that puts New Mexico near the top rather than the bottom of a national ranking, the Land of Enchantment has emerged as one of the biggest ice cream-loving states in America, second only to New Jersey.

According to a recent nationwide survey of 5,000 Americans conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by Undeniably Dairy for National Ice Cream Month, 56% of New Mexicans proudly identify as “ice cream connoisseurs.” That’s just two points behind New Jersey’s 58%, which took the top spot. Tied for third were California, Kansas, New York, and North Dakota at 55%.

It’s a refreshing bit of good news for a state more commonly associated with grim statistics — bottom-five rankings in education, child well-being, and public safety. But when it comes to America’s favorite frozen treat, New Mexico stands out as a top-tier contender.

The study also found that America’s favorite flavors are still the classics: chocolate topped the list at 15%, followed by vanilla and mint chocolate chip at 12% each.

Yet the joy of a summer scoop is about to get even sweeter — and healthier — thanks to efforts led by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

On Monday, the International Dairy Foods Association (IDFA), representing over 40 major ice cream brands, announced it will phase out all artificial, petroleum-based dyes by the end of 2027. This sweeping change comes after growing pressure from Kennedy’s office to clean up America’s food supply by eliminating unnecessary synthetic additives.

“I’m particularly happy to be here today because this is relevant to my favorite food, which is ice cream,” said Kennedy during a press event celebrating the announcement. “This is a great day for dairy and it’s a great day for Make America Healthy Again,” he added, referencing his health-focused initiative echoing President Trump’s “Make America Great Again” mantra.

The artificial colorings being phased out — including Red 40, Yellow 5, and Blue 1 — have been linked in studies to ADHD, cancer, and other health concerns. While banned in countries like Canada and across Europe, these dyes are still prevalent in many American foods — though that’s beginning to change.

Industry leaders, including Turkey Hill CEO Andy Jacobs, acknowledged the move is in step with shifting consumer preferences. “By taking this step now, ice cream manufacturers are ensuring that ice cream remains a special part of our lives as consumer preferences change and the nation’s regulatory priorities evolve,” Jacobs said.

The ice cream industry contributes roughly $12 billion to the U.S. economy and supports more than 27,000 jobs. Americans consume around 19 pounds of ice cream per year on average — and New Mexicans are clearly among the most enthusiastic consumers.

While the FDA under Joe Biden moved to ban Red Dye No. 3 outright, RFK Jr. has taken a “peer pressure” approach — and it’s working. Between 35% and 40% of the U.S. food industry has pledged to remove artificial dyes, with big names like Nestle, General Mills, and PepsiCo already on board.

The voluntary pledge from ice cream makers, however, goes even further — extending the transition deadline beyond Kennedy’s original target to give companies time to rework their recipes without synthetic dyes.

For ice cream lovers in New Mexico and beyond, it’s a win-win: a cleaner scoop and proof that sometimes, the sweetest victories come when states and industries embrace common-sense health reforms.

Finally! A list where NM ranks at the top — and it’s delicious Read More »

Pope and Garcia Richard race to the bottom in radical Democrat primary

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The race for New Mexico’s next lieutenant governor is already shaping up to be another bruising Democrat slugfest, with two far-left figures vying for power: State Sen. Harold Pope and State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard.

On Monday, Pope—an Albuquerque Democrat known for pushing fringe legislation—formally announced his candidacy for the state’s second-highest executive post. Though the news comes as little surprise—Pope had already filed a campaign committee—his campaign rollout confirms a broader attempt by far-left ideologues to entrench themselves deeper in New Mexico’s executive leadership.

Pope told Source New Mexico that he’s running to have a “full-time voice” in the executive branch, claiming he can do more “on the fourth floor” than as a legislator. But his record tells a different story.

Pope has repeatedly aligned with the most radical policies in Santa Fe. He pushed legislation to force sexual education standards onto children as young as 11, regardless of parental consent. He voted to funnel taxpayer-funded college tuition to illegal immigrants through House Bill 64. He backed a payroll tax scheme (Senate Bill 3) that would’ve slammed both small businesses and workers. And he supported legislation that would have imposed centralized housing mandates across the state and cemented extreme environmentalist policies that threaten New Mexico’s oil, gas, and agricultural sectors.

These are not the positions of a moderate or a reformer—they’re part of a nationalized left-wing agenda that is already bleeding New Mexico dry. It also doesn’t help that he jumped on TikTok to advocate for a violent MS-13 gang member, among a slew of other wild takes that have been fully archived by the Piñon Post and will surely be pure gold come the general election, if Pope wins the nomination. 

But Pope isn’t alone. His top Democrat opponent so far is Stephanie Garcia Richard, the scandal-prone Commissioner of Public Lands. Her tenure has been riddled with controversy, including repeated clashes with New Mexico ranchers, lease mismanagement, and failure to balance the state’s economic interests with environmental stewardship. Instead of maximizing returns for New Mexico’s public schools—one of her core responsibilities—Garcia Richard has pursued a rigid green agenda that has alienated key industries and rural communities alike.

Garcia Richard also grabbed headlines for trying to strip the New Mexico State Land Office of transparency and legislative oversight, drawing sharp criticism even from within her own party. Her long track record of pushing anti-development policies makes her a hard sell outside progressive strongholds like Santa Fe.

Also in the race is Jackie Lee Onsurez, a village councilor from Loving, and Republican Manuel Lardizabal, who previously ran for a state Senate seat in Albuquerque.

But the real battle—for now—is within the Democrat Party, where Pope and Garcia Richard are expected to clash in what is shaping up to be a bitter primary. Both represent the far-left flank of the party, and both come with glaring vulnerabilities. While Pope barely held onto his Senate seat in 2024, Garcia Richard continues to face scrutiny over her political decisions and failed stewardship of state lands as she continually jumps from office to office.

With a primary set for June 2, 2026, New Mexico voters will once again be asked to choose between competing versions of the same radical playbook—unless common-sense leadership steps in to break the cycle.

As the Democrat candidates trip over each other to race to the left, conservatives are watching closely. The 2026 election may be the best opportunity yet to finally reverse the state’s dangerous slide toward California-style policies that have already caused so much harm.

Pope and Garcia Richard race to the bottom in radical Democrat primary Read More »

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