New Mexico

Despite crime crisis, Keller wins runoff — ABQ braces for another term of turmoil

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Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller secured reelection Tuesday night, defeating former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White in a high-stakes runoff that many voters hoped would chart a new direction for a city plagued by violent crime, surging homelessness, and chronic mismanagement. But by 8:34 p.m., the results were clear: Keller prevailed with 58.6%, while White received 41.4% — returning Keller to office for a third term and guaranteeing four more years of the same far-left policies that have become synonymous with his administration.

The outcome came after weeks of intense campaigning, heavy early-voting turnout, and a mayoral contest that at times veered into controversy. According to the Bernalillo County Clerk’s Office, 112,496 voters had cast ballots by 4 p.m. on Election Day, representing roughly 30.8% of registered voters. Nearly 83,000 of those were early or absentee ballots — a sign of strong public engagement in a race many believed would determine whether Albuquerque continued down its current path or attempted a course correction.

White’s supporters gathered at the Courtyard by Marriott Albuquerque hotel Tuesday evening, joined by elected officials such as House Minority Leader Gail Armstrong, R-Magdalena, and former mayoral candidate Eddie Varela. The atmosphere was energetic yet tense as the results rolled in, with White greeting attendees in a blue suit and offering thanks for their commitment to a campaign built on public safety, accountability, and restoring order to a city that has seen record homicide rates and escalating street disorder under Keller’s leadership.

The runoff followed weeks of unusual political drama — including a bizarre incident in which dozens of homeless individuals were photographed wearing yellow “I ♥ Tim Keller” sweatshirts distributed anonymously along Central Avenue. Keller’s campaign alleged the sweatshirts were an illegal “cruel political stunt,” filing an ethics complaint demanding an investigation into who paid for them. The episode added yet another layer of confusion and frustration to a race already dominated by concerns over the city’s aggressive spending, homelessness policies, and the $1.6 million price tag of the runoff election itself, which reignited calls for adopting ranked-choice voting.

Throughout the campaign, White emphasized the failures of Keller’s tenure: record crime, sweeping homelessness encampments, deteriorating infrastructure, and what he described as leadership more focused on progressive posturing than practical governance. Keller, by contrast, leaned heavily on incumbent advantages, broad mail-in support, and an entrenched political base.

With Tuesday’s final tally, Albuquerque now faces four more years of Keller’s approach, despite the city’s continued struggles with violent crime, widespread street homelessness, and costly municipal missteps. Whether voters will see meaningful change — or simply more of the same — remains to be seen. But the message from City Hall is unmistakable: the direction of the past eight years will continue, for better or for worse.

As of publishing incumbent City Councilor Klarissa Peña was leading challenger Teresa Garcia by 123 votes in the Third District, while Joshua Neal (40.2) trailed Stephanie Telles (59.8%) in the First District, as of publishing. 

Despite crime crisis, Keller wins runoff — ABQ braces for another term of turmoil Read More »

Sens. Sanders and Warren try to torpedo $11.5B investment in NM energy

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A trio of far-left U.S. senators is sounding the alarm — again — this time over a major private-sector investment that would bring billions into New Mexico’s energy infrastructure. Sens. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut are urging federal scrutiny of Blackstone Infrastructure’s proposed $11.5 billion acquisition of TXNM Energy Inc., the parent company of PNM and Texas-New Mexico Power.

The Democratic senators — all well-known critics of free-market energy policy — sent a letter to Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman blasting the deal as harmful to consumers and accusing the firm of trying to “profit from rising energy demands at the expense of consumers.”

“Investors have typically viewed utility companies as reliable investments with a guaranteed rate of return,” they wrote. “But now, amidst rapidly rising energy use from (artificial intelligence) data centers and other strains on the grid, Wall Street investors and private equity firms appear to be taking advantage of utilities’ regulated-monopoly status to rake in excess profits.”

The senators are objecting to the acquisition even though it would bring long-term private capital into the grid — capital the utilities say is urgently needed. Warren, Sanders, and Blumenthal argue the transaction “isn’t in the public’s best interest,” despite offering no alternative plan to improve infrastructure or meet surging energy demand.

TXNM, currently publicly traded, would become privately held under the proposal. PNM serves about 550,000 New Mexicans and is already dealing with the strains of rapid growth, new housing developments, and the power demands of emerging data center projects.

Blackstone pushed back strongly on the senators’ claims. A company spokesperson said private ownership would allow utilities to make long-term investments that strengthen and modernize the grid — without being hamstrung by Wall Street’s short-term quarterly reporting cycle.

These investments, the spokesperson said, provide “reliable, affordable power — without the pressure of short-term quarterly metrics.” They emphasized that private capital has supported utilities “for more than 20 years,” and that any acquisition must pass rigorous local, state, and federal regulatory review demonstrating “clear benefits to consumers.”

The senators demanded Blackstone disclose whether electricity prices would rise under its ownership and whether staffing cuts would occur “to meet investor targets.” They cited a decade-old acquisition in Michigan, claiming that customer bills rose afterward by a few cents. They requested a response from Blackstone by December 18.

But Blackstone and PNM both noted that rate-setting authority will remain entirely in the hands of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission — not investors, and not Blackstone. The firm has also pledged $105 million in rate credits over four years, estimating the average customer could see bill reductions of roughly 3.5%. Blackstone also committed to retaining PNM’s workforce and keeping the utility’s headquarters in-state.

Meanwhile, PNM continues to push long-delayed infrastructure projects to keep up with demand. Just last week, the Bernalillo County Planning Commission approved key applications for the long-awaited North Albuquerque Acres Substation — a project PNM has been working to advance for nearly eight years.

Warren and Sanders also attempted to tie Blackstone’s broader investments to the TXNM acquisition, pointing to the company’s QTS Realty Trust data center operations and citing concerns about increasing global electricity demand. Their letter referenced an International Energy Agency projection that worldwide power use could increase by 130% by 2030 due to data center growth.

New Mexico has already become a magnet for major tech-sector energy users, with multiple large-scale data center proposals emerging. Among them:

• Project Jupiter in Doña Ana County, recently named one of five sites in the $500 billion Stargate Project led by OpenAI and Oracle.
• An 8,400-acre facility proposed by Zenith Volts Corp. in Chaves County.
• A 3,500-acre campus sought by New Era Energy & Digital Inc. in Lea County.

Blackstone has rejected accusations that its utility acquisition is tied to its data center interests. Asked about the connection, a spokesperson said there is “absolutely no connection” and that the investment is driven solely by confidence in TXNM and “the future growth of the economies of New Mexico and Texas.”

As New Mexico grapples with rising energy needs — and a state government increasingly skeptical of private enterprise — the senators’ letter reflects broader ideological opposition to free-market investment in public utilities. While Blackstone proposes billions in upgrades and rate credits, progressive senators instead continue their campaign against private capital in the energy sector.

Sens. Sanders and Warren try to torpedo $11.5B investment in NM energy Read More »

NM spending exploded 80% since 2019: Now revenues are tapping the brakes

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New Mexico’s long run of rapid revenue growth appears to be slowing, according to a new financial outlook presented to lawmakers this week.

Economists from the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group — representing three state agencies and the Legislative Finance Committee — delivered an updated forecast Monday that one legislator described as “very sobering.”

Wayne Propst, secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration, told lawmakers that the state’s cushion of “new money” has dropped sharply from earlier expectations.

“The total new money projection has been revised downward from the August forecast,” Propst said. “We were projecting $484.8 million in total new money… That has been revised downward to $105.7 million in total new money available to be appropriated when you convene in January.”

The adjustment reflects reduced projections in several major revenue categories, though lawmakers will still have substantial one-time resources available. Propst noted the state expects about $2.8 billion in nonrecurring dollars for the upcoming budget process. “It’s money that will be available for you to appropriate… as nonrecurring in fiscal year 2027,” he said, typically used for special projects, capital investments, or one-time appropriations.

The latest estimate also shows New Mexico will collect about $13.4 billion in recurring revenue during the fiscal year ending June 2026 — roughly $212.6 million less than the previous year and below the growth originally forecast in August. Lower oil prices and fluctuations in corporate income tax collections contributed to the adjustment.

Still, Rep. Nathan Small, D-Las Cruces, who chairs the LFC, urged lawmakers to remain grounded but not alarmed. “This is not a doom forecast, but it is a very sobering forecast,” he told colleagues.

A significant one-time boost — roughly $511.9 million from State Land Office lease and royalty activity — helped offset the softer recurring outlook.

Propst emphasized that, compared to other states now facing deficits, New Mexico remains financially stable. “Even in a worst-case low oil price scenario, we are still in a position where we’re not needing to look at recurring appropriation expenditure reductions,” he said.

The broader context includes several years of unprecedented growth fueled by the boom in the Permian Basin. LFC Director Charles Sallee noted last week that state spending has increased by roughly 80% since 2019, supporting major initiatives such as tuition-free college, pay raises, and substantial deposits into long-term trust funds. New Mexico now has more than $64 billion across various investment funds — the second-largest structure of its kind in the nation.

With production expected to plateau in coming years, Sallee said lawmakers must ensure that the investments made during the boom years deliver measurable returns. “We’ve got to make those investments count,” he said.

Several legislators suggested Monday that the tightening revenue picture may limit discussions about tax cuts or tax code changes during the 30-day session. “While we’ve done a great job, maybe this is not the year to have a tax package discussion,” said Rep. Derrick Lente, D-Sandia Pueblo.

Longer-term forecasts remain positive, with recurring revenues projected to reach approximately $14.4 billion by fiscal year 2028.

The revenue estimates — updated twice annually by executive and legislative economists — serve as the foundation for budget drafting during the upcoming session.

Lawmakers also discussed potential impacts of federal budget changes and national economic conditions, though analysts stressed that New Mexico remains well positioned due to its reserves and long-term investments. Officials are continuing to study how federal funding adjustments may affect major state programs, including health care and safety-net services.

Two special sessions were held this fall to address related fiscal considerations.

NM spending exploded 80% since 2019: Now revenues are tapping the brakes Read More »

NM GOP headquarters reopens after violent firebombing

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The Republican Party of New Mexico on Saturday formally reopened its Albuquerque headquarters, months after the building was firebombed in an act of politically motivated arson that shook the state’s political landscape. The rebuilt facility now stands as a visible reminder of both the severity of the attack and the determination of party leaders not to be intimidated by violent extremism.

As Piñon Post previously reported, the GOP headquarters was targeted in late March when its front entrance was set ablaze using an improvised incendiary device. Security footage captured the fire spreading quickly across the doorway, igniting the structure and forcing emergency response teams to intervene. Only luck and rapid response prevented the blaze from escalating into a far more destructive incident.

Federal investigators later charged Jamison Wagner with two counts of arson — one for the firebombing of the Republican Party headquarters and another tied to a separate arson incident at a Tesla dealership. Authorities say both attacks involved deliberate ignition and shared similar construction of improvised incendiary materials. Wagner, who has pleaded not guilty, is scheduled to stand trial on the arson charges next September.

Saturday’s ceremony marked the first time the Republican Party opened its headquarters to the public since the firebombing. Party officials, volunteers, and community members gathered not only to tour the restored building but to acknowledge the troubling reality of political violence escalating in New Mexico and elsewhere.

Leticia Muñoz, Executive Director of the Republican Party of New Mexico, emphasized that political disagreement must never devolve into criminal acts. “I do believe that both parties vehemently disagree on many policies and what direction not only our state but our country needs to go,” Muñoz said. “But at the end of the day, we do need to be able to have open discussions and agree to disagree. The violence is unacceptable, completely unacceptable.”

Her remarks captured the tone of the event: resolute but sober. Many attendees expressed gratitude that no one had been injured in the firebombing — a possibility that investigators stressed could easily have occurred given the nature of the arson attack. Others noted the disturbing trend of political actors being targeted physically rather than debated publicly.

The reopening comes after months of repairs involving structural restoration, replacement of damaged materials, and upgrades to security features. Party officials thanked private donors and local contractors for helping rebuild the headquarters, saying the response from supporters demonstrated the community’s refusal to be cowed by intimidation attempts.

While federal prosecutors have shared limited information about their ongoing investigation, they have confirmed that Wagner faces only the two arson charges at this time. Those charges alone carry significant potential prison time if he is convicted.

For the Republican Party, however, Saturday’s reopening was not just about restoring a building. It was about reclaiming a space that had been violently attacked for political reasons and asserting that threats, fire, and fear will not silence them.

The headquarters, once fire-scarred and inaccessible, has now reopened brighter, more secure, and more determined than before. And as party leaders repeatedly emphasized, the message is simple: political violence may damage buildings, but it will not break their resolve.

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

NM GOP headquarters reopens after violent firebombing Read More »

In latest ploy for attention, Keller wants probe into ‘I Love Tim Keller’ hoodies

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With the mayoral runoff just days away, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller is now demanding an investigation into the mysterious “I ♥ Tim Keller” hoodies handed out to homeless individuals along Central — a move that looks far more like political theater than genuine concern.

Keller’s campaign blasted the sweatshirts as a “cruel political stunt” and claimed the unknown sponsor committed an act of illegal campaign spending. But the more Keller and his operatives posture, the more observers are asking whether his own campaign stands to benefit from a controversy they are now loudly amplifying. After all, no one has gained more media attention from the spectacle than Keller himself.

In a Friday press release, the campaign insisted that whoever paid for “dozens of sweatshirts” must have spent over the $250 threshold that requires registration with the City Clerk. The Keller team dramatically labeled it “dark money” activity — despite having no evidence of who funded it or what their motive actually was.

The timing raises eyebrows. The complaint was filed Thursday — just days before the December 9 runoff — by Keller’s attorney, former state lawmaker Daymon Ely, who warned that “If this is not properly investigated, the political process and attempts to regulate the process are meaningless.”

Yet one cannot ignore the political convenience: Keller gets to portray himself as a victim of shadowy forces, feeding a narrative tailor-made to galvanize sympathetic coverage.

Meanwhile, the only person publicly acknowledging knowledge of the stunt, Rio Grande Foundation president Paul Gessing, has refused to name the individual responsible. Gessing told reporters he knew the distributor’s identity, and in a KOAT-TV interview even praised the tactic as “brilliant.”

“I think it’s a very interesting technique to highlight an issue and put it in front of the media and average New Mexicans,” Gessing said, noting it forces voters to confront homelessness — a crisis that Keller has failed to meaningfully address after eight years in office.

Gessing did not respond to questions Friday, and Darren White’s campaign also declined comment, having flatly denied involvement multiple times.

Regardless, Keller’s complaint may not go far. Recent precedent shows the Board of Ethics has limited authority over anyone who isn’t a candidate or campaign committee. In a ruling involving City Council Candidate Stephanie Telles, the board noted that its power over third parties is narrow — essentially restricted to a public reprimand or a $500 fine per violation. Even then, it acknowledged its jurisdiction likely doesn’t extend to unaffiliated actors like Gessing.

That makes Keller’s aggressive push for an inquiry feel more symbolic than substantive — a chance to create a scandal narrative where none existed.

Still, Keller’s lawyer resorted to moral condemnation in the complaint’s final lines, writing: “These people are being used as political props. It is disgraceful. It is also unlawful.”

Lost in the moralizing, however, is a critical question: Who is really exploiting Albuquerque’s homeless? The unknown hoodie distributor? Or Keller, whose campaign swiftly turned the situation into a media spectacle seemingly designed to cast himself as the wronged party?

On Central Avenue earlier this week, dozens of people experiencing homelessness were seen wearing the bright yellow hoodies. Some admitted they didn’t know who Tim Keller was; others recognized the political ploy but said it was cold — and accepting a sweatshirt was better than freezing.

Whether Keller’s complaint goes anywhere remains doubtful. But one thing is clear: Keller’s administration has repeatedly used political outrage as a campaign tactic — and this latest stunt, intentional or not, has handed him another opportunity to play the victim. The only question left is whether the outrage is genuine or manufactured for political gain.

In latest ploy for attention, Keller wants probe into ‘I Love Tim Keller’ hoodies Read More »

Toulouse Oliver keeps freaking out after Trump’s DOJ sues her for ‘open defiance’

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New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is once again at the center of a major election-integrity controversy — this time after the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal lawsuit accusing her of illegally blocking access to the state’s voter registration database. Instead of complying with federal law, Toulouse Oliver — who is campaigning for lieutenant governor — is now attacking the DOJ and framing basic election-integrity oversight as a political assault.

Toulouse Oliver responded on X immediately after the lawsuit was announced, claiming the federal action is “part of the Trump administration’s assault on free and fair elections” and accusing “a weaponized Justice Department” of demanding voter information she insists is protected under state law.

“We have already made available to them the public data federal law requires,” she wrote. “They are seeking access to sensitive data that’s simply not needed to comply with voter list maintenance and which is protected by state law.”

But the DOJ’s complaint — filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico — tells a very different story. As Piñon Post previously reported, the federal government is seeking New Mexico’s full statewide voter registration list (SVRL) as part of an investigation into whether the state is complying with long-standing federal requirements under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960.

Federal law, the DOJ emphasizes, imposes a “sweeping obligation on election officials” to preserve and provide election records upon request. The complaint cites 52 U.S.C. § 20703 directly: “Any record or paper required… shall, upon demand in writing… be made available for inspection, reproduction, and copying.”

The DOJ says it issued precisely such a demand on September 8, 2025, requiring Toulouse Oliver to provide an electronic copy of the complete voter file — including the name, date of birth, address, and, as required under HAVA, either the voter’s driver’s license number, last four digits of their Social Security number, or other identifying information. That very data, DOJ notes, is explicitly exempt from Privacy Act restrictions when used for election administration.

The Justice Department also made clear in writing that all records would be secured under standard federal privacy safeguards: “The requested records will be maintained consistent with Privacy Act protections.”

Despite those assurances, Toulouse Oliver rejected the lawful request on September 23, claiming state law forbids her from sharing the information. The DOJ states bluntly: “Secretary Toulouse Oliver refused to provide the records requested.”

Federal officials say this refusal directly violates federal election law — and undermines oversight intended to ensure New Mexico is accurately maintaining its rolls and removing ineligible voters. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, announcing the lawsuits filed against New Mexico and five other Democrat-run states, warned that too many states have slipped into “noncompliance with basic voter roll maintenance.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon was even more direct:

“Our federal elections laws ensure every American citizen may vote freely and fairly. States that continue to defy federal voting laws interfere with our mission of ensuring that Americans have accurate voter lists as they go to the polls, that every vote counts equally, and that all voters have confidence in election results. At this Department of Justice, we will not stand for this open defiance of federal civil rights laws.”

The lawsuit seeks a court order finding Toulouse Oliver in violation of federal law and compelling her to turn over the complete voter list within five days of the ruling.

In her public defense, Toulouse Oliver continues to insist that New Mexico runs “the most secure, accurate, and voter-focused” elections in the country — a claim her spokesperson Alex Curtas repeated to local media despite providing no documentation to support it. He argued the state is “legally prevented” from releasing the voter data and that the Secretary “will not compromise the safety of New Mexico’s voter data.”

But the DOJ flatly rejects those talking points, writing that federal statutes override any conflicting state provisions. “The written demand contained a statement of the basis and the purpose therefor,” the complaint states, and as an “officer of election,” Toulouse Oliver is required to comply.

Ultimately, this lawsuit highlights a now-familiar pattern: Toulouse Oliver resisting transparency, fighting federal oversight, and elevating partisan narratives over basic election-integrity obligations. If the court sides with the Justice Department, New Mexico may be forced to turn over the voter registration list immediately—an outcome that would expose just how far Toulouse Oliver went to defy federal law in the name of political posturing.

Toulouse Oliver keeps freaking out after Trump’s DOJ sues her for ‘open defiance’ Read More »

Anti-gun nuts try to strike final death blow to NM gun industry with latest push

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New Mexico’s anti-gun politicians are again taking aim at lawful firearms dealers, pushing a proposal that Second Amendment advocates warn could deliver the “final death blow” to the gun industry by criminalizing shops for crimes committed by others.

For longtime Albuquerque gun dealer Arnie Gallegos, the narrative pushed by these lawmakers is far removed from reality. Gallegos, who has owned ABQ Guns for 15 years, already keeps a vigilant eye out for anything suspicious. “If they’re buying, like, 15 ARs, or they’re ordering an AR every week or something like that, that’s kind of a red flag,” he said. If the buyer can’t explain the purchase, he cuts it off: “I’m sorry, we’re not going to be able to do business anymore.” He added that doing the right thing is not just about regulations—“it’s good for the community.”

But instead of targeting criminals, progressive lawmakers are preparing a sweeping bill that would target people like Gallegos—FFLs who already comply with every federal rule imaginable. At a virtual event hosted by the national gun-control group Everytown for Gun Safety, Rep. Andrea Romero and Sen. Heather Berghmans, both Democrats, revealed they are drafting legislation to increase penalties and requirements on gun stores. Behind closed doors, they intend to mandate new employee training programs, enhanced inventory surveillance, and new restrictions on what firearms can be sold—even though lawful gun dealers are already one of the most regulated sectors in the country.

Romero accused unnamed “bad actors” of repeatedly selling guns that end up in crimes, claiming they operate “without any sort of accountability whatsoever,” despite offering no evidence and ignoring the fact that knowingly selling a gun for a criminal purpose is already a felony under federal and state law.

Gun-control activists with Everytown argued that states must take the lead because the ATF supposedly “stepped back,” with adviser Marianna Mitchem asserting, “They got them from licensed gun stores.” What she did not mention: virtually every legal gun in America comes from a licensed dealer because that is how the system is designed. Their argument simply shifts blame from actual criminals to small, family-owned businesses.

Gun rights groups are sounding the alarm. Zachary Fort, president of the New Mexico Shooting Sports Association, said he has “not seen any pullback on regulation,” emphasizing that FFLs already operate under suffocating federal scrutiny. Rep. Stefani Lord said legitimate gun stores cannot afford even a single misstep: “Everybody I know is trying to do their best to make sure these guns don’t get in the hands of criminals.”

Gun dealer and New Mexico Firearms Industry Association president Erik Rasmussen echoed that point, noting the absurdity of the proposal: “To make 30 bucks or 40 bucks, to lose your license, your livelihood, and get thrown in jail—it’s absolutely not worth it.” Rasmussen said the real threat comes from gun theft, not lawful sales, pointing out that his own store has been burglarized.

Yet Everytown claims that 78% of crime guns in the state originated at licensed dealers—an obvious statistic given that nearly all firearms legally sold in the U.S. must come from a dealer. Their claim that one-third were “likely funneled” through trafficking is speculative at best, and Rasmussen flatly rejected it: “Knowingly selling a gun to a person that is buying it for somebody else — I would say that nobody in the industry is doing that.”

The New Mexico Shooting Sports Association warned on X:
“Anti gun politicians in NM are cooking up a new gun control proposal that would criminally charge a FFL for any straw purchase that happens at their store.”

Rep. Stefani Lord blasted the concept:
“Punishing the gun stores for not being psychic, but never punishing the criminals! Where do progressives dream up these crazy bills? Checks from Gifford? Soros? Moms Demand Attention?”

This looming proposal would effectively require gun stores to predict the future. As NMSSA put it, an FFL cannot possibly know whether a perfectly legal buyer is secretly acting as a straw purchaser. But that’s precisely the trap anti-gun radicals want: make compliance impossible, then punish the people they already despise.

If Democrats succeed, the burden of criminal liability will shift away from violent offenders and onto lawful gun dealers—turning New Mexico’s firearms industry into a politically convenient scapegoat. It’s not about safety. It’s about control. It’s about shutting down gun stores one regulation at a time.

And that was the goal all along.

Anti-gun nuts try to strike final death blow to NM gun industry with latest push Read More »

U.S. Dept. of Justice smacks Maggie Toulouse Oliver with bombshell lawsuit

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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Democrat New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver of unlawfully withholding the state’s voter registration list, a move DOJ officials say obstructs federal election-integrity oversight. Toulouse Oliver is seeking election in a crowded primary for lieutenant governor.

According to the complaint, filed December 2, the DOJ demanded the statewide voter registration list (SVRL) as part of an investigation into whether New Mexico is complying with federal voter-list maintenance laws under the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), and Title III of the Civil Rights Act of 1960.

The lawsuit states that federal law imposes a “sweeping obligation on election officials” to preserve and provide election records upon request, and explicitly gives the Attorney General the power to obtain them. “Any record or paper required… shall, upon demand in writing… be made available for inspection, reproduction, and copying,” the complaint says, quoting 52 U.S.C. § 20703.

The DOJ says Toulouse Oliver refused to comply after receiving a written demand on September 8, 2025. The letter, sent by the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, required the Secretary to produce a full electronic copy of the SVRL, including each registrant’s name, date of birth, address, and—consistent with HAVA—either the last four digits of the Social Security number, driver’s license number, or HAVA-assigned identifier. The DOJ notes that federal law specifically exempts the last four digits of a Social Security number from being considered protected under the Privacy Act for election-administration purposes.

The complaint says the DOJ made clear that the information would be securely maintained under existing Privacy Act protocols: “The requested records will be maintained consistent with Privacy Act protections,” the department wrote.

Despite those assurances, Toulouse Oliver rejected the request in a September 23 letter and argued state law prohibited her from releasing the records. The DOJ says that refusal constitutes a violation of federal law: “Secretary Toulouse Oliver refused to provide the records requested,” the complaint states.

The Justice Department publicly highlighted why the records are essential. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said in a statement:

“Our federal elections laws ensure every American citizen may vote freely and fairly. States that continue to defy federal voting laws interfere with our mission of ensuring that Americans have accurate voter lists as they go to the polls, that every vote counts equally, and that all voters have confidence in election results. At this Department of Justice, we will not stand for this open defiance of federal civil rights laws.”

The lawsuit seeks a court order recognizing that Toulouse Oliver violated the Civil Rights Act and compelling her to turn over the full registration list within five days of the court’s ruling. The DOJ argues the demand is routine and explicitly authorized by Congress.

Toulouse Oliver’s office issued a statement defending her refusal, portraying it as an attempt to protect voter information:

“New Mexico’s election administration is the most secure, accurate, and voter-focused in the entire nation. Any suggestion otherwise is baseless,” said spokesperson Alex Curtas, despite any facts to back that up.

He claimed that the Secretary has provided publicly accessible data but maintains that releasing full records is prohibited under state law, saying in a statement reported by KRQE 13, “We are legally prevented from providing them with personal private voter information… Secretary Toulouse Oliver will not compromise the safety of New Mexico’s voter data.”

However, the DOJ complaint disputes that reasoning, emphasizing that federal law supersedes conflicting state provisions:

“The written demand contained a statement of the basis and the purpose therefor” and Toulouse Oliver, as an “officer of election,” is obligated to comply, the lawsuit states.

If the court sides with the DOJ, the ruling could force New Mexico to immediately turn over the entire voter roll—information federal officials say is necessary to determine whether the state is adequately removing ineligible voters and maintaining accurate lists.

The lawsuit underscores a direct clash between federal election-integrity enforcement and Toulouse Oliver’s insistence that her office should control access to voter records, even when federal law requires disclosure.

U.S. Dept. of Justice smacks Maggie Toulouse Oliver with bombshell lawsuit Read More »

NM Supreme Court rules on challenge to gov’s line-item vetoes

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The New Mexico Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s use of line-item vetoes during this fall’s special legislative session. All five justices agreed to deny the petition, issuing a brief order that offered no explanation for the decision.

The complaint was filed in October by Duke Rodriguez, a former state Cabinet secretary and cannabis industry executive who has said he is weighing a Republican bid for governor in 2026. Rodriguez sought to invalidate several vetoes the governor made in a spending measure approved during the October special session, which lawmakers convened to address federal funding reductions.

The disputed vetoes involved language that would have placed deadlines on how quickly certain state funds must be spent, as well as the removal of the phrase “minimum federal” in reference to food benefits. Attorneys for the governor argued that the contested wording would have constrained the administration’s ability to carry out the purpose of the appropriations. Lujan Grisham “simply vetoed erroneous language that would have prevented the Executive from carrying out the purpose for which the funds were appropriated,” they wrote.

Rodriguez countered that the vetoes overstepped constitutional limits and interfered with legislative authority. His lawsuit argued the governor’s actions distorted legislative intent and violated the separation of powers.

Rodriguez is the president and CEO of Ultra Health, a major cannabis firm. He recently told The New Mexican he is contemplating a run for governor, though public records show he primarily voted in Arizona for more than two decades and registered to vote in New Mexico only last year.

His attorney, former state Sen. Jacob Candelaria, said he was disappointed the court chose not to provide any reasoning. “I think my client would feel very differently if there was just some reasoning and they actually explained why they gave the decision they did,” he said, characterizing the order as “just having the court’s door shut in a litigant’s face with a one-word denial.”

Candelaria said the lack of explanation leaves unanswered whether the justices rejected the case on standing grounds or on the merits. He warned that the silence could encourage governors to stretch the limits of their veto authority. Without clarity, he said, “future governors will basically use this case and the court silence as an opportunity to dramatically expand the line-item veto power.”

In a written statement, Rodriguez said the ruling “may be the final push I needed to officially enter this race” for governor. He called the outcome “deeply consequential,” arguing it grants the executive branch “significant influence” over legislative decisions and highlights the need for a governor “committed to governing within both the spirit and the letter of our constitution.”

Rodriguez added that a full opinion from the court would have offered “lasting clarity” on who has the right to challenge a governor’s vetoes and how far that authority extends.

NM Supreme Court rules on challenge to gov’s line-item vetoes Read More »

‘Cruel’: Keller loses it after homeless overwhelmingly endorse his campaign

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Anyone driving down Central Avenue lately has noticed an unexpected new fashion trend among Albuquerque’s homeless population: bright yellow “I ❤ Tim Keller” sweatshirts, endorsing his campaign for mayor. The sight has quickly become the most unintentionally comedic moment of the mayoral runoff season — and one of the most embarrassing for Mayor Tim Keller, who is scrambling to distance himself from the stunt.

No one has claimed responsibility for handing out the sweatshirts, which began appearing in the International District around Thanksgiving, just as early voting opened in the Keller–Darren White mayoral runoff. But the image of scores of homeless individuals trudging around in identical pro-Keller apparel instantly raised eyebrows — and laughter — across the city.

One man wearing the sweatshirt made it clear he was not exactly a volunteer brand ambassador. “If it wasn’t so cold, I would take them from everybody, put them in a pile and burn them,” he said, noting he only keeps it on for the warmth.

Keller, not known for his sense of humor, immediately denounced the prank as “disgraceful.” The New Mexico GOP, seizing on the optics, fired back by suggesting Keller himself might be behind it. His campaign, however, snapped back with a statement insisting, “Darren White’s supporters and the Republican Party are attempting to flip the script and falsely blame Mayor Keller for their own cruel Thanksgiving-week stunt.”

White’s campaign wasn’t exactly stressed about the mayor’s indignation. His campaign manager responded that it was “telling that citizens are so frustrated that someone took it upon themselves to protest the mayor in this manner.”

Keller’s team even floated the idea that the sweatshirt stunt could violate campaign finance laws — though they stopped short of any promise to actually investigate. Their statement claimed the shirts amounted to “an unreported dark-money political expenditure” with “no disclaimer, no disclosure… and no attribution.” In other words: a mystery donor with a sense of humor.

The New Mexico GOP took a more pointed tone, accusing Keller of turning the homeless into “political pawns.” Chairwoman Amy Barela blasted the situation, saying, “Using the homeless as political pawns is a new low for Tim Keller and shows just how tone-deaf he is.” The GOP highlighted the skyrocketing homelessness crisis under Keller — nearly 3,000 homeless individuals citywide, including rising numbers of women, children, and veterans — noting the total homeless population has more than doubled since Keller took office.

Keller’s campaign, meanwhile, insisted their supporters were the first to report the sweatshirts and portrayed the prank as a sinister plot from White’s allies meant to embarrass the mayor. “The stunt is backfiring, and people see it for what it is — cruel and inappropriate,” they said.

White’s supporters countered that if the public is resorting to such creative protest, it reflects the deep frustration with Keller’s failures. “If Mayor Keller spent more time changing his failed policies and less time whining about critics, the homeless and the entire city would be better off,” White’s team said.

Whether the stunt was an act of political sabotage, satire, or the world’s most ridiculous clothing donation, one thing is clear: hundreds of “I ❤ Tim Keller” sweatshirts roaming the streets of Albuquerque is the most memorable political moment of the runoff — and perhaps the one Keller wishes the public would forget the fastest.

‘Cruel’: Keller loses it after homeless overwhelmingly endorse his campaign Read More »

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