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NM pro-life coalition forms in response to MLG’s abortion mega-center

Leave a Comment / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As construction begins on a taxpayer-funded abortion facility in southern New Mexico, pro-life organizations across the state are mobilizing in what they describe as a historic show of unity.

A newly formed coalition of pro-life leaders announced plans to gather on April 10 in Albuquerque, bringing together organizations from across New Mexico in response to the state’s expansion of abortion services, including a $10 million facility currently under development in Las Cruces.

Organizers say the project represents a significant shift in the state’s approach to abortion policy. The facility is expected not only to provide abortion services but also to serve as a training center for abortion providers, with the stated goal of expanding access nationwide.

The development comes as New Mexico has emerged as one of the most permissive states in the country for abortion following the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. According to organizers, the number of abortions performed in the state has more than tripled since 2020, with a majority now involving out-of-state patients.

The new coalition, supported by the Knights of Columbus, aims to unify efforts among various pro-life groups that have historically operated independently. Leaders say the April 10 event is intended to mark a turning point in how those organizations coordinate and advocate moving forward.

“There are moments in history when silence is not an option — and this is one of them,” said Anthony Salazar, State Deputy of the New Mexico State Council of the Knights of Columbus. “What is being built in Las Cruces is a moral crisis, and on April 10 we stand as one.”

The gathering is also drawing national attention due to the involvement of Iowa-based pro-life strategist Chuck Hurley, who will deliver the keynote address. Hurley played a key role in building a coalition of organizations in Iowa that proponents say led to significant legislative changes, including restrictions on abortion and other policy shifts.

“For over twenty-six years, we saw no fruit at the Iowa Capitol on life issues—none,” Hurley said. “But once our leaders took this particular action to stand together, the victories started coming almost immediately.”

Supporters of the New Mexico coalition say they are looking to replicate that model, emphasizing coordination and shared strategy as a way to influence policy in a state where pro-life efforts have faced significant legislative challenges.

Mark Cavaliere of Life Leadership Conference, a national organization supporting the effort, said the New Mexico initiative could serve as a model for other states.

“What happened in Iowa proves that when pro-life leaders stop working in isolation and make a public commitment to stand together, the results can be historic,” Cavaliere said.

The coalition’s formation comes as pro-abortion Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signaled continued support for expanding abortion access, including a request for an additional $10 million to fund a second facility in northern New Mexico.

Organizers say the April 10 event will be livestreamed, with the goal of reaching supporters across the state and beyond via ProLifeNM.com.

As both sides continue to mobilize, the issue is expected to remain a central point of debate in New Mexico, reflecting broader national divisions over abortion policy in the post-Dobbs era.

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Vasquez jumps state lines to attack ICE facility outside NM

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is facing renewed scrutiny after traveling outside his district to attack a federal immigration detention facility in El Paso—a move critics say underscores his consistently open-borders posture and ongoing efforts to undermine immigration enforcement across the region.

Vasquez conducted what he described as a “Congressional Oversight” visit to Camp East Montana, the largest ICE detention facility in the country, before publicly calling for its closure. Despite the facility being located in Texas, Vasquez justified the trip by stating, “This camp is in my community’s backyard, and what happens here is incredibly relevant for my constituents in New Mexico’s second district, as it is for every American in this country,” according to reporting by KVIA.com.

Following the visit, Vasquez took to social media—posting in Spanish—to condemn the facility and broader immigration enforcement practices. “This is no way to treat people,” he wrote. “What I saw today is not a way to reflect our American values.” In a video message, he added, “We cannot continue to hold folks inhumanely, separate them from their families… This is no way to treat human beings. And that’s why I’m continuing to call for the closure of Camp East Montana.”

According to KVIA, Vasquez spent roughly two hours inside the facility, touring detainee housing pods, medical areas, and the law library, where he spoke with detainees. He claimed, “The conditions that I saw inside the detention facility today, I believe, are beneath our American values,” and further alleged that detainees were “scared of speaking out” and feared “punishment from guards inside the facility.”

Vasquez also criticized federal officials for failing to provide requested data, saying, “I’m here to get answers. I got almost no answers… It is a shame that as a member of Congress with direct oversight authority, they couldn’t even give me the simple facts,” particularly regarding how many detainees had violent criminal records.

The latest remarks are consistent with Vasquez’s broader record on immigration, which includes opposition to border wall construction—previously labeling it racist—along with repeated criticism of federal immigration enforcement agencies. He has also aligned himself with efforts to shut down detention facilities in New Mexico, including those in Otero County, a move that would eliminate hundreds of local jobs tied to immigration detention operations.

That economic impact has become a growing point of contention. Facilities like the Otero County Processing Center and similar operations across the border region support rural economies that rely heavily on federal contracts. Critics argue that Vasquez’s push to dismantle detention infrastructure would not only weaken immigration enforcement but also devastate local employment in both southern New Mexico and nearby Texas communities.

His decision to publicly attack Camp East Montana—while advocating for the closure of facilities in his own state—comes as he faces a competitive reelection campaign. Republican challenger Greg Cunningham is expected to center the race on border security, public safety, and economic stability, framing Vasquez’s positions as misaligned with the priorities of voters in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District.

As immigration remains a dominant issue in the region, Vasquez’s latest comments—and his broader record—are likely to remain a focal point heading into November, highlighting a stark contrast in approaches to border enforcement and federal immigration policy.

Vasquez jumps state lines to attack ICE facility outside NM Read More »

Crossing into New Mexico defense area now bringing federal charges

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The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico announced this week that federal prosecutors filed more than 170 immigration-related criminal charges in a one-week period, highlighting the scale of ongoing enforcement along the southern border and in newly designated federal security zones in the state.

According to statistics released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the charges were filed during the one-week period ending April 3, 2026, in partnership with the El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, Homeland Security Investigations in El Paso, and other federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Federal prosecutors reported that 70 individuals were charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation under federal law (8 U.S.C. § 1326), a felony offense that applies to individuals who return to the United States after previously being deported. Another 18 individuals were charged with Illegal Entry (8 U.S.C. § 1325), which is typically a misdemeanor offense.

In addition, 3 individuals were charged with Alien Smuggling (8 U.S.C. § 1324), a more serious charge often associated with organized border smuggling operations.

A significant number of the cases — 82 individuals — were charged with Illegal Entry, violation of a military security regulation, and Entering Military, Naval, or Coast Guard Property. Federal officials say these charges stem from individuals entering areas now designated as part of a newly established National Defense Area in New Mexico, where additional federal restrictions and penalties apply.

Federal prosecutors noted that many of the individuals charged with Illegal Reentry After Deportation had prior criminal convictions, including narcotics trafficking, domestic violence, unlawful possession of firearms, alien smuggling, receipt of stolen property, and prior immigration offenses.

The cases are part of a broader federal initiative known as Operation Take Back America, which the Department of Justice describes as a nationwide effort to use federal resources to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime tied to cross-border activity.

“These statistics represent prosecutions by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico only,” the office said in its announcement, noting that the numbers do not include individuals who were apprehended by immigration authorities but processed through administrative immigration proceedings rather than criminal court.

The District of New Mexico covers all 33 counties in the state and includes approximately 180 miles of international border with Mexico, making it one of the key regions for federal immigration enforcement activity. Assistant U.S. Attorneys based in Albuquerque and Las Cruces work with law enforcement agencies across the region to prosecute immigration-related offenses and other federal crimes.

Federal officials said that under current leadership, public safety and border security remain top priorities, and that increased enforcement efforts have resulted in the prosecution of individuals involved in unlawful activity, including human trafficking, sexual assault, and crimes involving violence against children.

The weekly enforcement statistics provide a snapshot of how federal immigration enforcement is increasingly being handled through the criminal court system in New Mexico, particularly in areas near the border and in federally controlled security zones, where penalties can be significantly more severe than standard illegal entry charges.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that it will continue working with federal, state, and local partners across New Mexico as part of ongoing border enforcement operations.

Crossing into New Mexico defense area now bringing federal charges Read More »

Vasquez says he stands with TSA agents after voting against paying them

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U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez is now publicly expressing support for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents who have faced delayed paychecks during the recent federal funding fight — despite criticism that he previously voted against funding measures for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes TSA.

In a recent social media post and video filmed at the Albuquerque Sunport, Vasquez said he met with TSA agents and described their frustration over the ongoing funding uncertainty.

“To say that they are frustrated is an understatement,” Vasquez said in the video. “They’ve been used as political pawns over the last month, not receiving paychecks. They finally received a paycheck this week, but future paychecks are uncertain.”

Vasquez blamed Republican leadership in the U.S. House for the situation, saying a bipartisan deal had been reached in the Senate but was not taken up by House leadership.

“There was a deal in the Senate, a bipartisan bill that passed unanimously with all Republicans and Democrats supporting it to reopen TSA, FEMA and the Coast Guard,” Vasquez said. “Unfortunately, Speaker Johnson sent us back home with no deal. And so that uncertainty for their next paycheck still exists.”

He also said he is supporting the “Shutdown Fairness Act,” which would guarantee back pay for federal employees affected by government shutdowns.

“I’m going to continue to work to make sure that these folks are paid,” Vasquez said. “That’s why I’ve co-sponsored the Shutdown Fairness Act to make sure that our TSA agents and other federal employees are not used as political pawns in this very broken Congress.”

However, Vasquez is now facing criticism from Republicans who say his voting record contradicts his public statements supporting TSA workers.

In a statement, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) accused Vasquez of voting against funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which funds TSA, Border Patrol, ICE, and other federal law enforcement agencies.

“Gabe Vasquez voted to defund law enforcement and block pay for TSA officers,” NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson said in a statement. “Instead of supporting funding for DHS, including ICE, Border Patrol, and TSA, Vasquez sided with the far-left and voted against the very people who keep Americans safe.”

Richardson added, “It’s a stunning display of misplaced priorities, and voters will hold Vasquez accountable.”

The funding fight comes amid broader budget battles in Washington, D.C., where disagreements over federal spending and border security have repeatedly threatened funding for federal agencies, including those under the Department of Homeland Security.

TSA agents are considered essential federal employees and are required to work even during government shutdowns, though pay can be delayed until funding is restored.

Vasquez, who represents New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District, has increasingly focused on federal workers and border issues as he prepares for what is expected to be a competitive reelection race.

In his video message, Vasquez emphasized that regardless of politics, TSA agents continue to show up to work.

“More than anything, I want to thank those TSA agents who have shown up for work every single day despite the difficulties they have faced over the last several months,” he said.

The debate over federal funding, DHS, and border security is expected to remain a major issue in Congress heading into the next funding deadline, meaning the question of pay and funding for agencies like TSA may continue to be part of the political fight in Washington.

Vasquez says he stands with TSA agents after voting against paying them Read More »

Toulouse Oliver goes ballistic over Trump election security order

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New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver issued a sharply worded statement this week attacking President Donald Trump’s new executive order aimed at tightening election security, joining a growing list of Democrat officials nationwide threatening lawsuits over the move.

The executive order, signed this week, seeks to create a nationwide system to verify voter eligibility and tighten rules surrounding mail-in voting — an issue Congress has debated for years but failed to fully address at the federal level.

Within minutes of the order being signed, Democrat officials across the country began threatening legal action. According to Fox News, California Gov. Gavin Newsom immediately responded, “We’re challenging it… See you in court,” while election officials in Arizona, Oregon, Maine and Nevada also signaled they would sue to block the order.

Trump acknowledged the legal fight was coming but signed the order anyway, saying election integrity concerns needed to be addressed. “The cheating on mail-in voting is legendary,” Trump said after signing the order. “I think this will help a lot with elections,” Fox News reported.

The order directs federal agencies to work together to compile lists of eligible voters and includes measures such as ballot tracking barcodes and restrictions on sending absentee ballots to individuals not on verified voter rolls.

But Toulouse Oliver responded with a lengthy statement via X accusing the president of attempting to undermine elections and disenfranchise voters.

“The executive order signed by the President yesterday is yet another unconstitutional attempt to make it harder for eligible voters to cast a ballot and dangerously undermines the confidence in our elections,” Toulouse Oliver said in the statement.

She also claimed the order “threatens to disenfranchise tens of thousands of eligible New Mexicans” and said her office would work with the New Mexico Department of Justice to review the order and “certainly will challenge it.”

Her statement also argued that election administration is a state responsibility and criticized the idea of a federal voter verification system.

However, the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly prohibit the federal government from setting national election standards, and Congress has historically passed numerous federal election laws, including the Help America Vote Act and the National Voter Registration Act.

The executive order comes as Republicans in Congress have pushed for the SAVE Act, a federal law that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, but the legislation has stalled in the Senate.

Trump’s order appears to be an attempt to move forward on election integrity measures while Congress remains deadlocked.

The issue is likely to be decided in court, as multiple Democrat-led states have already pledged legal action. Fox News reported that election lawyers aligned with Democrats called the order “a massive and unconstitutional voter suppression effort,” while Trump has argued the order is necessary to ensure elections are “clean and fair.”

Toulouse Oliver, a Democrat, is currently running in the party’s primary for lieutenant governor in New Mexico, adding a political dimension to her response as election policy once again becomes a major national issue heading into the 2026 midterm elections.

With lawsuits expected and the federal government moving forward, the fight over who controls election rules in America — states, Congress, or the executive branch — now appears headed for another major court battle.

Toulouse Oliver goes ballistic over Trump election security order Read More »

Torrez takes Otero County ICE fight to Supreme Court

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The New Mexico Department of Justice has launched a new legal effort to block Otero County from continuing its partnership with federal immigration authorities, escalating a growing legal and political fight over immigrant detention in the state.

According to reporting by the Santa Fe New Mexican, which broke the story, the Department of Justice filed a petition with the New Mexico Supreme Court asking the justices to stop a newly signed contract between Otero County and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The five-year agreement was signed last month, just days before the county’s previous contract with ICE was set to expire.

The legal battle centers around the state’s new Immigrant Safety Act, an unconstitutional law scheduled to take effect May 20 that will prohibit local governments in New Mexico from entering into or renewing contracts with ICE for immigration detention.

Otero County operates one of three immigration detention facilities in New Mexico and housed roughly 900 detainees as of last month. County officials have argued they had no choice but to extend the ICE contract because the county still owes tens of millions of dollars in bonds used to build the Otero County Processing Center.

The Department of Justice, however, argues the contract extension is unlawful on multiple grounds. In its filing, the agency claims local governments do not have the legal authority to enter into agreements with ICE and that Otero County failed to obtain required approval from the New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration before signing the agreement.

“The rule of law requires that all public bodies follow clearly established legal requirements, without exception,” Attorney General Raúl Torrez said in a statement quoted by the Santa Fe New Mexican. “Otero County did not obtain the approval state law requires, and the agreement is invalid. We are asking the Court to act swiftly to prevent its enforcement.”

This is not the first time the state has challenged Otero County’s actions. The Department of Justice previously objected to a March 13 Otero County Commission meeting where the contract extension was approved, arguing the meeting violated state transparency laws because it was held with only a few hours’ notice to the public. The county later held another meeting in an attempt to address the issue.

Otero County Attorney R.B. Nichols has disputed the state’s claims, arguing the county was not required to obtain approval from the Department of Finance and Administration. He has also warned that failing to extend the ICE contract could put the county at risk of defaulting on millions of dollars in outstanding bonds tied to the detention facility.

State officials also argue the timing of the contract suggests the county was attempting to get around the new law before it takes effect. The Immigrant Safety Act requires existing agreements to be terminated at the earliest possible date after May 20, but Otero County’s new contract reportedly prevents the county from withdrawing from the agreement for any reason during the five-year term.

“By rushing to lock in a long-term detention contract on the eve of that law taking effect, Otero County acted in direct defiance of public policy set by the New Mexico Legislature,” the Department of Justice said in a statement, according to the Santa Fe New Mexican.

The situation in Otero County differs from two other immigration detention facilities in New Mexico located in Torrance and Cibola counties. In those counties, ICE contracts directly with private prison operator CoreCivic, which owns the land where the facilities are located. Because the contracts are with a private company rather than a local government, the state may have limited authority to intervene.

The legal fight now appears headed to the New Mexico Supreme Court, where justices will be asked to decide whether Otero County’s contract with ICE can move forward — a decision that could have major implications for immigration detention in New Mexico.

The case is ongoing.

Torrez takes Otero County ICE fight to Supreme Court Read More »

Border Patrol considering new station in Cruces as agents expected to increase

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection is considering building a new Border Patrol station in Las Cruces as federal officials prepare for an increase in agents and operations in southern New Mexico, according to a letter sent to the City of Las Cruces and first reported by KFOX14.

The proposed facility would sit on a parcel of land between 30 and 40 acres and would be designed to support additional agents and personnel assigned to the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector, which includes southern New Mexico. The stated goal of the new station is to increase border security and improve the agency’s ability to apprehend individuals who enter the country illegally.

In a March 4 letter to Las Cruces City Manager Ikani Taumoepeau, Customs and Border Protection said it is preparing an environmental assessment for the potential construction, operation, and maintenance of a new Border Patrol station in Doña Ana County.

“The purpose of the new station is to accommodate the addition of new agents and personnel to increase border security within the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector,” the letter states, adding that the ultimate objective is “increasing the probability of apprehension of those that have entered the U.S. illegally.”

Federal officials are currently evaluating three possible locations in Las Cruces for the new facility, though specific sites have not yet been finalized. As part of the planning process, CBP is requesting input from state and local agencies regarding environmental impacts, permitting requirements, and other regulatory issues that could affect the project.

CBP officials said they are in the early stages of the process and are currently gathering information from local governments and agencies that may be affected by the project. A public review and comment period is expected to take place later as part of the environmental assessment process.

“The City has received the attached correspondence from CBP requesting comment from local governments… whether there would be an environmental impact to a new CBP facility, should CBP decide to seek one in any of three locations identified in the letter,” the City of Las Cruces said in a statement reported by KFOX14. The city also noted that no final decision has been made and that the project is still in the evaluation phase.

Las Cruces City Councilor Michael Harris said he has already raised concerns about one of the potential sites, particularly a location near Highland Elementary School. Harris said he believes a more remote site would be more appropriate, citing environmental concerns and the number of vehicles that typically operate out of Border Patrol facilities.

He also noted that choosing a location away from residential areas, schools, and churches would allow more room for expansion if the facility grows in the future.

The potential new station comes as federal officials prepare for increased border enforcement activity in the El Paso Sector, which covers far West Texas and southern New Mexico, including Doña Ana County and surrounding areas.

If built, the facility would likely bring additional federal agents, support staff, and infrastructure to the Las Cruces area, potentially bringing economic activity as well as renewed debate over border security and federal presence in southern New Mexico.

For now, the project remains in the environmental review stage, and federal officials are asking local agencies to provide input within 30 days so potential environmental impacts can be evaluated before any final site is selected.

A formal public comment period is expected to take place later as part of the environmental assessment process before any construction moves forward.

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Food world gives Sen. Ben Ray Luján a big award

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U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico has received a national award from one of the most well-known organizations in the culinary world, according to a report from KOAT 7.

The James Beard Foundation announced that Luján was selected as a recipient of its Impact Award, which recognizes individuals working to influence food policy and improve food systems across the country.

According to KOAT 7, Luján was honored for his role as ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, where he has been involved in federal food policy and nutrition programs. The foundation said his work has been guided by the belief that hunger in the United States is ultimately a policy decision, not an inevitability.

As part of his role on the subcommittee, KOAT reported that Luján has worked on efforts related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), commonly known as food stamps, and has supported measures aimed at strengthening and protecting those benefits.

Biden White House

“The foundation says Lujan’s work was driven by the belief that hunger is a policy decision in the United States,” KOAT 7 reported in its coverage of the award. The report also noted that Luján has supported policies aimed at ensuring agricultural workers, grocery store workers, and others involved in the food supply chain have the support and resources needed to keep the nation’s food system operating.

The James Beard Foundation Impact Award is not a cooking award, but rather a recognition given to policymakers, advocates, and leaders who the organization believes are working to create what it describes as a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable food system.

According to KOAT, the award “recognizes those who are actively working to push for standards that create equitable, sustainable and an economically viable food system for everyone.”

The James Beard Foundation is widely known for its annual James Beard Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of the food world,” which typically honor chefs, restaurants, and culinary professionals. However, the foundation also gives Impact Awards to policymakers and public figures involved in food policy, agriculture, and nutrition programs.

Luján’s recognition comes as Congress continues to debate funding levels and policy changes related to federal nutrition programs, agricultural subsidies, and food supply chain issues — all areas that fall under the jurisdiction of the Senate Agriculture Committee and its subcommittees.

The New Mexico senator has served in the U.S. Senate since 2021 after previously serving six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his time in Congress, he has been involved in telecommunications policy, infrastructure funding, and agriculture and nutrition policy through his committee assignments.

The James Beard Foundation said the Impact Award is intended to highlight individuals whose work influences the broader food system, not just the restaurant industry, and includes policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates working on hunger, agriculture, sustainability, and food access issues.

KOAT 7 first reported Luján’s award and noted that the recognition was specifically tied to his work on nutrition policy and food system issues through his role on the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition.

Luján humiliates himself during RFK, Jr. confirmation hearing

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EXCLUSIVE: Haaland, Bregman camps clash over Epstein ad

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A political advertisement released by the political action committee Accountable New Mexico is escalating tensions in New Mexico’s governor’s race, as the campaigns of Democrat candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman exchange sharp statements over allegations tied to Jeffrey Epstein–related records.

The advertisement, which has begun circulating online and through digital platforms, targets Haaland over alleged past connections to Epstein’s network. According to the ad’s transcript, the narrator claims that Haaland accepted a ride on one of Epstein’s private jets to attend a Washington, D.C., fundraiser and accepted “tens of thousands of dollars” in donations tied to Epstein-linked businesses. The ad also alleges that Haaland’s campaign later solicited additional contributions and that when questioned about the matter, Haaland referred inquiries to a spokesperson rather than answering directly.

The ad cites previously reported material and Department of Justice records, including documents associated with Epstein and past reporting from New Mexico Political Report, KOB 4, and KRQE. Some of those reports reference a Washington, D.C., fundraising trip and emails discussing a reported $50,000 fundraising request referenced in records tied to Epstein-linked entities.

In response to the advertisement, the Haaland campaign strongly denied the allegations and pushed back on the origins of the attack.

“Sam Bregman and his dark money friends are lying about Deb because he has no path to victory in this race,” Haaland campaign spokesperson Hannah Menchhoff told the Piñon Post. “She never met Epstein, never took money from him, and never rode on his jet. She believes all abusers and the people who defend them must be held accountable.”

The Haaland campaign also provided additional background regarding the 2014 Washington, D.C., trip referenced in some reports. According to the campaign, the flight in question was not Epstein’s personal jet but a chartered aircraft arranged through a private company and paid for by the campaign of then-gubernatorial candidate Gary King. The campaign said Haaland had no knowledge of Epstein’s role in connecting King with the charter company and maintained that Haaland’s lieutenant governor campaign did not accept or solicit donations from Epstein.

The campaign also pointed to Haaland’s record in Congress and as Secretary of the Interior, including work related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, support for the Violence Against Women Act, efforts related to human trafficking prevention and victim services, and a 2019 request for an inquiry into Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, where he evaded federal charges.

The Bregman campaign, however, rejected the Haaland campaign’s accusation that it was associated to the political action committee behind the advertisement, while also defending the ad’s claims.

“Our campaign is not affiliated with this group in any way however there does not seem to be any factually incorrect statements made in this ad,” said Joanie Griffin, campaign press secretary for Sam Bregman for Governor to the Piñon Post. “The Epstein files clearly lay out the truth of what happened.”

“Everything in that ad is a complete lie,” said Menchhoff in a phone interview with the Post. “This is a desperate cry for help from the Bregman team…. All the reporting about the flight and the whole situation, all the articles specifically don’t say it’s an Epstein jet. They say Epstein-linked. None of the claims even made in the ad are technically supported by contemporary articles,” noting the only connections are to former Attorney General Gary King.

When asked about Haaland’s connection to Gary King, who recently attended the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce’s “La Noche Encantada” gala on February 21, which was also attended by Haaland, Menchhoff said Haaland may have seen him there, but there has been “no ongoing correspondence” with the former governor. King’s father, Democratic former Gov. Bruce King, sold Epstein the Santa Fe County land, which later became the site of Zorro Ranch. 

“Deb is a pretty authentic person. What you see is what you get. She’s very purposeful in the way she acts.” Menchhoff noted in the interview, “At the end of the day, none of this is correct, and it’s not even believable.”

The exchange marks a significant early escalation in the Democratic primary for governor, where Haaland and Bregman are competing for their party’s nomination in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the state. Political observers note that independent expenditure groups and political action committees often begin running advertising months ahead of primary elections in an effort to define candidates early, particularly in competitive primaries.

Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, maintained a wide network of wealthy and politically connected associates, and documents related to his businesses, travel, and political donations have remained the subject of ongoing public scrutiny and records releases in the years since his death. As additional documents and communications have become public, political campaigns across the country have faced renewed questions about past associations, donations, or contacts appearing in records connected to Epstein’s network.

Whether the allegations raised in the advertisement will have a lasting political impact remains unclear, but the public exchange between the Haaland and Bregman campaigns suggests the governor’s race is entering a more aggressive phase, with outside groups, opposition research, and political advertising already shaping the narrative months before voters cast ballots.

As the primary election approaches, additional advertising and political messaging from campaigns and outside groups is expected, signaling that the tone of the race may continue to intensify in the months ahead.

WATCH:

EXCLUSIVE: Haaland, Bregman camps clash over Epstein ad Read More »

Toulouse Oliver partnering with outside groups — while on the ballot for lt. gov.

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Questions are being raised about how New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver is working with outside groups to conduct voter education ahead of the state’s new semi-open primary election — and which organizations are involved — all while she is on the Democrat ballot herself, vying for lieutenant governor.

New Mexico is preparing for its first semi-open primary election, which will allow unaffiliated voters — often called independent or “decline-to-state” voters — to participate in either the Democratic or Republican primary without changing their party registration in advance. The change affects hundreds of thousands of New Mexico voters and represents one of the most significant election changes in recent state history.

But while the policy change itself has received attention, comments from Toulouse Oliver about how voter education efforts will be conducted are now drawing scrutiny.

In an interview reported by the Santa Fe New Mexican, Toulouse Oliver acknowledged that many independent voters may not yet be aware of the change and said voter education would be necessary to inform them of their new ability to vote in primary elections. However, she also indicated that her office would not be acting alone.

“Hopefully between the combined efforts of my office and partner organizations … we can get the word out,” Toulouse Oliver said, according to the report.

That statement has prompted questions about exactly which “partner organizations” the Secretary of State’s Office is working with — and whether taxpayer-funded voter education efforts are being coordinated with outside advocacy groups.

The Secretary of State also indicated that her office would be conducting a digital-focused outreach campaign due to budget constraints, saying the office would rely heavily on digital marketing tools to target voters who need to be informed about the change.

Meanwhile, several advocacy organizations have publicly acknowledged they are conducting their own voter education efforts related to the semi-open primary. Leftist groups such as Common Cause New Mexico and New Mexico Voters First have said they are part of a coalition working on outreach efforts, along with other far-left organizations including NM Native Vote and the League of Women Voters.

These groups describe the effort as a “layered campaign” that will include community events, social media outreach, radio advertising, and a website intended to inform voters about how the new primary system works.

Supporters of the semi-open primary say the change will increase voter participation and give independent voters more influence in candidate selection. They argue that candidates will now have to appeal to a broader range of voters rather than focusing only on party bases during primary elections.

However, critics say the involvement of outside organizations in voter education — particularly when coordinated alongside a government office — raises questions about messaging, influence, and whether the outreach will truly remain nonpartisan.

The Secretary of State’s Office has long argued that it faces budget limitations and must rely on partnerships and digital outreach to reach voters efficiently. But the reference to unnamed “partner organizations” working alongside a taxpayer-funded office has led some observers to call for more transparency about who those partners are, what role they are playing, and how the outreach efforts are being coordinated.

With the June primary approaching, voter education efforts are expected to ramp up significantly in the coming weeks. But as those efforts expand, questions about coordination between government offices and outside advocacy groups — and who exactly is helping “get the word out” — are likely to remain part of the conversation.

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