Renato Costa

Dem NM Sen. Moe Maestas cracks joke about Trump assassination attempt

After a failed attempt on 45th President Donald Trump’s life at a Pennsylvania rally by a now-deceased assassin, who left at least one rallygoer deceased and one in critical condition, New Mexico state Sen. Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque) commented on a post about the attempted murder by joking about former President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination.

One X account, @Lobogabe, wrote following the shooting at 4:25 p.m., “Holy f—k, Watching his rally and there’s gunshots. It looks like he is injured. I guarantee this is a Democrat. This is the most disgusting thing in the history of the country. Omg. I can believe this. Please God keep him safe.”

To that, Maestas wrote at 5:27 p.m., “History of the country? Where do you rank that Ford’s Theater incident? Top 5?” followed by a face exhaling emoji.

While Maestas was joking about the attempted murder of the 45th President, other Democrat politicians, such as U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, among others, were joining Republicans in wishing Trump well and denouncing political violence. 

Then, over one full hour later, Maestas changed his tune, writing on X, “Political violence has no place in a free democratic society. I condemn today’s disgusting violence unequivocally and share in the sadness many are feeling right now. I pray for a speedy and healthy recovery of President Trump.” 

He then attempted to downplay his previous comment, which joked about the attempted assassination of President Trump, claiming he did not know what he was commenting on because he had “just landed” from a flight. 

He wrote, “I hope we grow as a nation from this horrible experience. We must reverse this current state of hate and divisiveness. I apologize profusely to everyone for a spontaneous earlier post. I had just landed, and did not realize in that instance that Trump had been struck.”

Despite his excuse-ridden “apology,” the Republican Party of New Mexico’s Chairman Steve Pearce wrote, “It is unacceptable that Senator Maestas’ first response to an assassination attempt, where the former President was shot at, narrowly missing his head, one person was killed and another severely injured, was to make a joke and downplay it. He has demonstrated that he does not have the character or discernment worthy of a New Mexico Senator.”

He added, “He apologized only after being criticized and justified his tweet by claiming he didn’t know the President had been struck. That is a weak excuse. New Mexicans deserve representation that acknowledges the gravity of this situation and will address it with the seriousness and dignity it deserves. Senator Maestas should step down after making such a disgraceful post.”

Others, including state Reps. John Block (R-Alamogordo) and Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) urged for Maestas’ immediate resignation “in disgrace,” with Block saying the Democrat state lawmaker’s apology was “not accepted.” 

Since the deadly shooting and attempted assassination attempt on the 45th President’s life, the 45th President has been confirmed as safe, as the FBI takes the reigns of the investigation.

“The FBI has assumed the role of the lead federal law enforcement agency in the investigation of the incident involving former President Donald Trump that occurred earlier today in Butler, Pennsylvania. Special agents of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office responded immediately, to include crisis response team members and evidence response technicians. We will continue to support this investigation with the full resources of the FBI, alongside our partners at the U.S. Secret Service and state and local law enforcement,” wrote the Bureau. 

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Gabe Vasquez continues to run from the press over Biden support

Extremely vulnerable first-term Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez continues to flee the press over whether he believes Joe Biden should leave the presidential ticket following what all sides call a disastrous CNN debate. 

Last weekend, Vasquez’s team tried to skirt the question to the Santa Fe New Mexican when asked if he stills supports Biden.

When pressed by Fox News, Vasquez, who is attempting to distance himself from Biden, said he “can make his own decisions about his own campaign,” refusing to endorse him.

Now, when Vasquez’s spokesperson was pressed on if “he believes Biden should stay in the race or step aside” or about “anything he’s hearing from constituents,” the spokesperson reportedly gave “no comment.”

The interaction was also reported by Politico, which wrote, “A spokesperson for battleground House Ag Democrat Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) said ‘no comment’ when MA asked if Biden should stay in the race and what Vasquez is hearing from his constituents about the matter.”

The National Republican Congressional Committee’s (NRCC) spokeswoman, Delanie Bomar, wrote following the Democrat’s uncertainty on his support for Biden, “It is unacceptable that Vasquez is trying to run a basement campaign. He must make his position clear, and he must do it today.”

Other vulnerable Democrats, such as Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota, have taken concrete stances on Biden, saying, “Given what I saw and heard from the President during last week’s debate in Atlanta, coupled with the lack of a forceful response from the President himself following that debate, I do not believe that the President can effectively campaign and win against Donald Trump.”

“President Biden needs to show that he is fit to lead the free world and demonstrate his fighting spirit,” said vulnerable Democrat Rep. Don Davis of North Carolina. “If he’s going to stay in, he needs to step up.”

“Another vulnerable House Ag Democrat, Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez (D-Wash.), told local media outlet KATU last week she believes Trump will win the election in November after Biden’s debate performance,” Politico further reported.

While battleground district Democrats appear to be taking a stance against Biden, Vasquez, who is a close ally of Biden, has refused to say whether he should stay in the presidential race. 

A recent leaked Democrat poll shows a shift from Biden winning New Mexico prior to the debate to Biden now losing New Mexico to Trump by 0.5 percent. Even far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has cast doubt on whether Biden will win the Land of Enchantment if he remains in the running. 

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Leaked Democrat post-debate poll shows Trump leading in NM

A new leaked Democrat poll conducted after Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance shows Democrats are losing in many traditionally Democrat-leaning states, including New Mexico.

“A confidential polling memo circulating among anxious Democrats is confirming some of their worst fears: President Joe Biden’s support has started to tumble in key electoral battlegrounds in the wake of his disastrous debate performance in Atlanta, and Biden’s diminished standing is now putting previously noncompetitive states like New Hampshire, Virginia, and New Mexico in play for Donald Trump,” wrote Puck News.

“What’s more, Biden has taken such a reputational hit that he is polling behind other alternative Democratic candidates—including Kamala Harris and Gretchen Whitmer—in hypothetical one-on-one matchups against Trump.”

The results show Biden falling behind by 0.5 percent in New Mexico to Trump, 0.6 percent in Virginia, and three percent in New Hampshire, showing blood in the water. 

The news comes right after an internal Republican poll from U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici and the NRSC showed Biden leading Trump in New Mexico by two points. 

The leaked Democrat poll showed Biden’s New Mexico lead dropped by 2.4 percent, a stark contrast from 2024, where Biden reportedly won the Land of Enchantment by 11 points. 

New Mexico Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez has refused to comment on Biden’s disastrous debate performance, showing increased hope for Trump and Republicans, as Vasquez’s Second Congressional District is in play. 

When pressed by Fox News, Vasquez, who is attempting to distance himself from Biden, said he “can make his own decisions about his own campaign,” refusing to endorse him.

Leaked Democrat post-debate poll shows Trump leading in NM Read More »

Nella Domenici launches second TV ad

On Tuesday, U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, the Republican nominee who hopes to defeat Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich in November, launched her second ad of the campaign cycle, focusing on introducing herself to New Mexico voters.

“Growing up, Nella blazed her own trail,” the ad explains, showing Domenici hiking in New Mexico. “Set her sights on law school, took night classes, and paid her own way. Graduated business school nine months pregnant — top of her class.” 

The ad shows photos of her education experience and then explains, “‘Mom’ was Nella’s most important title while she forged new paths in business and community, breaking down barriers and driving innovative solutions. It’s time to do the same for New Mexico. There are mountains of problems. We need an experienced leader to fix them.”

“The journey to getting New Mexico back on top will not be easy and requires experienced leadership- not the two decades of failed leadership we see in my opponent,” Domenici wrote in an X post, introducing the ad. “I look forward to demanding more and delivering for New Mexico in the United States Senate.”

A recent Red Oak Strategies poll of 1,800 New Mexico voters showed Domenici only three points away from Heinrich, indicating the viability of her campaign. However, Domenici closed this gap when respondents heard positive information about her and negative messages about Heinrich.

In Domeinici’s first ad, she focused on her deep New Mexico roots, growing up on Monroe Street in Albuquerque. 

Following the news of Domenici’s new ad, Heinrich wrote in a panic-stricken fundraising email, “John, my multimillionaire opponent is back on the air this week with a brand-new TV ad. She’s paying $250,000 to reach voters with her ad statewide this week. This news comes right after a poll showed our Senate race in a dead heat. As my opponent reaches voters statewide, it’s never been more important that folks across New Mexico know what our grassroots campaign stands for every day.”

The Democrat accused Domenici of putting “Wall Street profit” above voters due to Domenici’s successful business career for Fortune 500 companies. In contrast, Heinrich has been in elected office for decades and lives in Silver Spring, Maryland.

WATCH: 

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‘Chris, the n—er’: Police report unmasks Vasquez’s racist, violent past

In the summer of 2004, an incident occurred at a call center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, that has resurfaced in the form of a police report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The report details a disturbing phone call received by a human resources employee at Research Data Design, a now-defunct consulting business. The caller, identified by the employee as former worker Gabe Vasquez, used a racial slur to ask for “Chris” before hanging up and calling back to ask for “Chris, the black man,” laughing before disconnecting.

Gabe Vasquez, now a Democratic congressman representing New Mexico’s second district, was a former employee of the company who had been terminated for falsifying data. The police report from 2004, which was obtained through a public records request, confirms the identification of Vasquez as the caller. A city records custodian verified that Vasquez was the suspect in the report, although his name is redacted in the document.

This revelation stands in stark contrast to Vasquez’s public persona. In 2020, Vasquez, a progressive Democrat and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, called for the dismantling of oppressive systems harming Black people. During his 2022 congressional campaign, he urged supporters to celebrate Juneteenth, recognizing the contributions of Black Americans. Additionally, he has frequently criticized others for racist behavior, including comparing the Trump administration to the Ku Klux Klan.

Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Vasquez has not responded to requests for comment. The police report, part of a series of documents obtained from Las Cruces city records, includes other incidents involving Vasquez during his time at New Mexico State University from 2002 to 2008. These records detail arguments with a girlfriend and arrests for marijuana possession.

The 2004 police report describes how the human resources employee at Research Data Design called Vasquez to inform him of her intention to report the harassment to the police. Following this warning, no further calls were received. The report lists the offense under a statute that criminalizes the use of a telephone to intimidate or harass, but the case was suspended in 2008 without any charges against Vasquez.

“At approximately 1600 hours he called Research Data Design and she answered the phone,” the police report says. “She stated that the person asked, ‘Is Chris there?’ She said, ‘Who, which Chris?’ as apparently there are a number of Chrises there and he said, ‘Chris, the n—er.’ She hung up,” the police report read.

Vasquez’s past interactions with law enforcement include a domestic dispute in 2007 where police responded to a possible domestic situation at his home and a 2005 incident where he was caught attempting to flush marijuana during a noise complaint investigation. Additionally, in 2002, Vasquez failed to appear in court for charges of driving without a license and insurance in El Paso, Texas, resulting in an arrest warrant executed just two months ago.

Following the shocking revelations, National Republican Congressional Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar wrote, “This is unacceptable behavior from a Member of Congress. Gabe Vasquez clearly has a problem with authority and this pattern of behavior shows he is unfit to serve. Do Hakeem Jeffries and Vasquez’s House colleagues agree?”

“This is absolutely disqualifying behavior for a Member of Congress,” said the Congressional Leadership Fund’s  Regional Press Secretary Maureen O’Toole. “How can Democrats stand by after Gabe Vasquez hurled inexcusable racial slurs while harassing a former colleague? Will Democrats hold Vasquez accountable?”

Republican Former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, the GOP nominee for the District, wrote, “Absolutely disgusting conduct. Let’s hold Gabe Vasquez accountable in November!”

‘Chris, the n—er’: Police report unmasks Vasquez’s racist, violent past Read More »

See where NM ranks among states for military retirees

According to a recent report by WalletHub, New Mexico is ranked at the bottom of the list for military retirees. The personal finance website released its 2024 rankings just ahead of Military Appreciation Month and Memorial Day, analyzing how friendly each state is to veterans looking to transition to civilian life.

WalletHub’s study assessed all 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 28 key indicators of retirement-friendliness for veterans. These indicators ranged from job opportunities and housing affordability to the quality of VA hospitals. Despite these comprehensive metrics, New Mexico found itself near the bottom of the list.

“Transitioning from military to civilian life isn’t easy, but the best states for military retirees make that adjustment as smooth as possible,” said Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst. “In addition to providing the conditions necessary for our veterans to thrive financially, they also have ample resources for taking care of military retirees’ physical and mental health.”

While states like South Carolina, Florida, and Virginia topped the list due to favorable policies for veterans—such as tax exemptions on military pensions, strong VA hospital ratings, and supportive job markets—New Mexico lagged behind in several key areas.

The report highlighted that New Mexico, ranked 50th, only fared better than Oregon, which took the last spot. This low ranking for New Mexico raises concerns about the state’s ability to support its veteran population adequately.

In the study, New Mexico ranked 48th for its economic environment, 29th for its quality of life, and 50th for its health care.

Further emphasizing the disparities, South Carolina was noted for having numerous veteran-friendly policies, including tax exemptions on military pensions, veteran treatment courts, and a high number of veteran-owned businesses per capita. These features contribute to a more supportive environment for military retirees, a stark contrast to the conditions found in New Mexico.

WalletHub’s analysis sheds light on the importance of state-level policies in shaping the quality of life for military retirees. As New Mexico continues to rank poorly, it needs to reevaluate its support systems and resources for veterans to improve its standing and better serve those who have served the country.

For more detailed insights and to see the full rankings, visit WalletHub’s website here.

See where NM ranks among states for military retirees Read More »

Vasquez refuses to join vast bipartisan majority against illegal voting

In a major move, the House of Representatives has passed bipartisan legislation to overturn a progressive immigration policy that allows illegal aliens to vote in local elections in Washington, D.C. This legislation garnered widespread support, with over fifty Democrats joining Republicans to endorse the measure. It passed 262 to 143. However, far-left Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-CD2) voted against it, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, especially since Vasquez represents southern New Mexico, where New Mexico’s entire border with Mexico is located. Vasquez was joined by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-CD3) in opposing the bill, while Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-CD1) was absent from the vote.

The legislation, seen by many as a common-sense approach to ensuring electoral integrity, was supported by a broad coalition in the House, including 52 Democrats. Maureen O’Toole, Regional Press Secretary for the Congressional Leadership Fund, emphasized the bipartisan nature of the vote and criticized Vasquez’s stance. “Preventing noncitizens from voting in American elections is as basic and commonsense as it gets, which is why it passed with a clear bipartisan majority in the House, yet Gabe Vasquez was too extreme to support it,” O’Toole stated. “Today’s vote makes it clear: Gabe Vasquez’s top priority is pushing radical illegal immigration policy, not fighting for New Mexico citizens or protecting the security of our elections.”

The National Congressional Committee’s Spokeswoman, Delanie Bomar, wrote following the vote, “Don’t believe extreme Democrat Gabe Vasquez’s election year posturing, just look at his votes – he is a radical open borders zealot. As long as Vasquez is in office, illegal migrants will get the red carpet treatment while American citizens get the shaft.”

Vasquez’s vote against the legislation is consistent with his history of advocating for progressive immigration policies. He has previously called for defunding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and has supported shutting down ICE facilities altogether. 

Critics also point out that Vasquez has downplayed the severity of the border crisis, accusing Republicans of politicizing the issue rather than addressing it substantively. He has consistently voted against stricter border security measures despite concerns about an increase in crimes committed by illegal immigrants.

The decision to allow noncitizens to vote in local elections in the nation’s capital has been a flashpoint, with many arguing that voting should be a privilege reserved for citizens. 

Vasquez faces a tough reelection battle against GOP former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, who has the support of Republican House leadership and many other key voices.

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You might be surprised by just how close Biden and Trump are polling in NM

According to a poll commissioned by the campaign of independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kenney, Jr., 45th President Donald Trump and Joe Biden are neck-and-neck in New Mexico.

John Zogby Strategies, which did the April 14-21 poll, found that of the 505 voters surveyed, 48.6 percent supported Biden, 41.7 percent supported Trump, and 9.7 percent supported another candidate. That means Biden is leading Trump only by 6.9 points after Biden is said to have won the state in 2020 by a 10.79 percent margin.

National favorability polls show Biden underwater, including in New Mexico, where he is -2 percent favorable. Despite Trump being -18 percent favorable in Democrat-dominated New Mexico, per the Zogby poll, he is still neck-and-neck with Biden.

According to the Kennedy campaign, “This poll surveyed more than 26,000 likely voters across the country and has a margin of error of only 0.6%.” 

“[Joe] Biden cannot beat President Trump. When you actually poll every state, and tally the electoral votes, Biden loses in a head-to-head against Trump and he loses in a three-way too,” the campaign added.

The presidential race is not the only race that could shift the winds of power in New Mexico. All three congressional seats are up in November, as well as the U.S. Senate seat held by far-left Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich, whose primary residence is in Maryland—not New Mexico. 

He is being challenged by Republican Nella Domenici, the daughter of the late GOP Sen. Pete Domenici, a revered figure in New Mexico politics due to his 36-year tenure in the Senate. 

The state also has many pick-up opportunities for the GOP in the New Mexico Legislature, with key Democrats retiring and the 2024 presidential election set to excite Republicans, who last had a majority in the New Mexico House from 2015-2016 and last ruled the New Mexico Senate in 1931. 

With woefully unpopular far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham running primary challengers to many legislative Democrats, Republicans see pick-up opportunities, such as in 2020 when a far-left Lujan Grisham-backed Democrat knocked off Democrat former state Sen. John Arthur Smith in the primary for District 35 and Republican Crystal Diamond won that seat over the “progressive” Democrat nominee. Smith kept that seat in Democrat hands for 31 year, and Republicans now comfortably hold the district. This same scenario will likely play out if some of the governor’s primary challengers succeed in the June 4, 2024, election.

You might be surprised by just how close Biden and Trump are polling in NM Read More »

NRA takes MLG to court over New Mexico’s 7-day waiting period law

The National Rifle Association (NRA) has filed a lawsuit in federal district court in New Mexico, challenging the state’s new waiting period law for firearm purchases. The lawsuit, Ortega v. Grisham, was filed in collaboration with the Mountain States Legal Foundation.

New Mexico’s “Unlawful Sale of a Firearm Before Required Waiting Period Ends Act” mandates a seven-day waiting period before a firearm purchaser can take possession of the weapon, even if they pass a background check immediately. While the law exempts concealed carry permit holders, it does not provide exceptions for urgent situations, such as imminent threats to the buyer’s safety.

“The NRA fights every day in Washington, DC, state capitals, and when necessary, the legal arena, to protect the constitutional freedoms of law-abiding Americans and NRA members,” said Randy Kozuch, Executive Director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). “The State of New Mexico’s waiting period law is a clear violation of its citizens’ Second Amendment rights – needlessly delaying their ability to acquire a firearm for self-defense or sporting purposes. With this legal challenge, NRA is committed to seeing that this unconstitutional law be wiped from the state statutes.”

The NRA is suing New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Attorney General Raúl Torrez, arguing that the waiting period infringes upon both the Second Amendment and the Fourteenth Amendment, which applies the Second Amendment to the states. The NRA has also requested a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to prevent the enforcement of the law during litigation.

The lawsuit, filed by plaintiffs Samuel Ortega and Rebecca Scott, details how the waiting period law has impacted their attempts to purchase firearms. Ortega and Scott both passed federal background checks but were unable to take possession of their purchased firearms due to the waiting period requirement. They argue that the law unnecessarily burdens their Second Amendment rights.

According to the lawsuit, “The right to keep and bear arms recognized in the Second Amendment is made applicable to the states by the Fourteenth Amendment. The Waiting Period Act burdens the right of residents of the State of New Mexico, including Plaintiffs, in exercising their right to keep and bear arms, a right which is explicitly protected by the Second Amendment.”

The lawsuit further contends that there is no historical precedent for such a waiting period, stating, “It is impossible for the State to meet this burden because there is no historical tradition of firearms being regulated in this manner either at the time of our founding and the ratification of the Second Amendment, or during the Reconstruction era and the ratification of the Fourteenth Amendment.”

The NRA and the plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment that the waiting period law is unconstitutional, a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to halt its enforcement, and other relief as deemed appropriate by the court.

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Court halts Lujan Grisham’s 180-day PED rule in shock win for rural schools

A coalition of New Mexico school superintendents has initiated legal action against state officials, challenging the public education department’s imposition of a 180-day school calendar. 

The superintendents argue that the rule represents a case of “executive overreach,” according to Stan Rounds, the executive director for the New Mexico School Superintendents Association.

During a court session in Roswell, a District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order against the New Mexico Public Education Department’s (NMPED) mandate, which was set to start in fall 2024. 

The rule would abolish the four-day school weeks prevalent in many of the state’s rural areas. “If you do a four-day week under the new rule, you essentially will have to go to school about 49 of those 52 weeks,” explained Rounds.

The lawsuit, supported by over 50 school districts and including officials from Mosquero, contends that the extended calendar would significantly increase travel times, costs, and burdens for both students and staff. 

Superintendent Johnna Bruhn of Mosquero Municipal Schools highlighted these concerns, stating, “The issue is, it’s going to be an increase in travel time and an increase in costs and an increase in the burden on the students and the staff.”

The discontent extends beyond administrators to the community. Ronald Dixon, whose grandchildren attend school in Grady, expressed his disapproval, emphasizing the impact on recovery and rest. “I just totally object to it because they don’t give the kids an opportunity to rest, as well as the teachers, and give everybody a break,” he said.

In response to the lawsuit, the PED provided a statement defending the policy by pointing to schools that voluntarily adopted longer calendars and reportedly saw improved student outcomes. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham also voiced support for the rule, asserting that it would enhance the state’s educational performance.

However, a court just ruled that PED’s mandate violates 2023’s law change requiring 1140 instructional hours and does not comply with legislative history. Additionally, the rule was found to be at odds with legislative history. The judge emphasized that legislative power prevails in determining the structure of educational policies.

Referencing the 2009 law that initially introduced the 180-day requirement and its repeal two years later in 2011, the judge highlighted this legislative action as indicative of the intent not to enforce such a mandate. Furthermore, the judge pointed out that PED’s delay of 12 years to enact the 180-day rule, as noted in a December communication to the Legislative Finance Committee, suggests that the department itself doubted its authority to impose this requirement.

As a result, the judge granted a preliminary injunction against the enforcement of the rule, citing its inconsistency with established statutes and its contravention of legislative objectives. The court also mandated that PED must approve school budgets that adhere to current legal standards.

The court requires the submission of findings within ten days to support this order. Additionally, a scheduling discussion is set for Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. to address the matter further.

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