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Michelle Garcia Holmes announces candidacy for CD-1

On Saturday, Republican Michelle Garcia Holmes, a former law enforcer and congressional candidate announced her candidacy for the First Congressional District to challenge incumbent Rep. Melanie Stansbury who won a special election by defeating Republican nominee Mark Moores. 

Holmes has 30 years of experience as a commissioned law enforcement officer. She served as chief of staff for Attorney General Gary King and says she “is a strong advocate for children and families.”

“I have a solid life long record of fighting for New Mexico’s citizens.  I will be a leader who listens – one with the vision to make the changes we need – and someone who will not quit fighting to support working families, our business community, our veterans and seniors.  The people of New Mexico will be my number one priority,” she said in a press release.

Garcia Holmes touts her work for the Attorney General’s office, where she “oversaw cross-cultural projects to educate New Mexicans on the dangers of methamphetamine. She also worked on collaborative efforts to fight government corruption, starting New Mexico’s first Government Accountability Division.  Garcia Holmes also worked to pass New Mexico’s first anti-human trafficking law and tougher Child Pornography laws,” the candidate declared.

“We need to get past pandemic shutdowns. Let’s focus on addressing our State’s economic needs; let’s fight the crime wave that has overwhelmed us. Let’s embrace the value of a hard day’s work, just like our parents did. I will work hard to make New Mexico safe and economically strong,” she said.

“I am running for Congress because we need leaders in Washington who will support our seniors and Veterans. The present leadership is out of touch with our citizens’ needs. I will bring people together and get us moving in the right direction,” she added.

Garcia Holmes is the first Republican to throw their hat in the ring to challenge Stansbury. Stansbury is a far-left extremist who demeaned Native Americans, telling displaced Dinè workers to go “sell your art or your wool.” Stansbury supports defunding the police, crippling the economy with the Green New Deal, full-term abortion, among other extremist views.

NM ethics board rejects Lujan Grisham’s attempt to dismiss complaint

On Thursday, the New Mexico State Ethics Commission’s hearing officer, retired Judge James S. Starzynski, denied Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s campaign’s motion to dismiss an ethics complaint filed by Piñon Post editor and founder John Block regarding the Governor’s spending of thousands of campaign dollars to her daughter for hair and makeup. The campaign reported these expenses as “media preparation.”

The motion to dismiss by Lujan Grisham’s campaign, New Mexicans for Michelle (NMFM), claimed Block had no “actual knowledge” of the details of the complaint and that because the Ethics Commission signed a joint powers agreement with the Secretary of State (SoS), that it had no authority to rule. The Secretary of State’s office previously claimed the use of the funds was legitimate, despite state law and the SoS’s own guidelines saying exactly the opposite.

In response to the motion to dismiss, Block wrote, “The law clearly states, ‘The commission may share jurisdiction with other public agencies having authority to act on a complaint or any aspect of a complaint.’ … According to the Joint Powers Agreement signed by the Secretary of State’s office and the State Ethics Commission, the Ethics Commission does, in fact, have the authority to investigate this complaint and any such argument from the respondent’s council otherwise is an attempt to usurp… the Commission’s authoritative duties enacted by the Legislature.” 

Block added in his response letter that attempts at poking holes in what he believes to be a clear-cut case just “undermines New Mexicans for Michelle’s frail argument, which is bound together by obscure interpretations of state law and conjecture.”

In a prior jurisdiction determination following the motion and Block’s response, Ethics Commission Executive Director Jeremy Farris said the Lujan Grisham campaign’s “argument is unconvincing.  The Commission did not decline to exercise its jurisdiction over this matter.”

Now, Lujan Grisham is facing another blow from Starzynski, who wrote the following in his September 16 ruling:

NMFM correctly points out that the State Ethics Commission Act requires Block to have “actual knowledge of the alleged ethics violation”, that is, of the facts upon which he relies in his Complaint. See NMSA 10-16G-10(A).  It thus argues that  “Block did not have actual knowledge of the purposes of the expenditures he claims were impermissible,” and therefore lacked the actual knowledge required to submit a complaint to the Commission. See Motion at 7. Instead, NMFM argues that Block only “reviewed publicly filed campaign reports, found expenditures for hair and make-up, then used public records of the Governor’s calendars to conjure up events that he believed were related to the expenditures.” Id. 

To begin with, NMFM’s listing of the payment of $1,040.00 for “media preparation” can be construed as an admission of the activity in question.  Erin Grisham’s statement in her LinkedIn profile (as recited by Block in the Complaint 7) that she provides services as the “stylist and cosmetology consultant for Michelle Lujan Grisham for Governor”, see Complaint at 2, serves as another admission by one of the participants in the alleged campaign violation.  In consequence, reading those admissions provides [Block] the “actual knowledge” he needs to file the Complaint.  

Actual knowledge” is defined as “[d]irect and clear knowledge, as distinguished from constructive knowledge[.]” Black’s Law Dictionary (11th ed. 2019). Courts generally discuss the term in the context of determining whether a party’s knowledge of some fact or condition triggers (or defeats) a statute of limitations defense or some other legally-significant condition precedent. 2 “[Actual knowledge] does not mean first-hand knowledge, but only ‘knowledge’ as the word is used in common parlance[.]” Collins v. Big Four Paving, Inc., 1967-NMSC-019, ¶ 13, 77 N.M. 380, 423 P.2d 418. 

Even if the listing of the payment and the publication of the LinkedIn profile are not treated as admissions, Block has satisfied the State Ethics Commission Act’s “actual knowledge” requirement.  Block’s allegations are based on his review of NMFM expenditure reports and Erin Grisham’s LinkedIn profile. These allegations support a plausible inference that NMFM paid Erin Grisham for hair and make-up expenses. The State Ethics Commission Act does not require Block to have witnessed the make up being applied or the hair styled, and the receipt of a check, as a precondition to submitting a complaint. 

Starzynski added that “in order to fairly dispose of the Complaint, there must be a factual investigation by General Counsel. For that reason, the Motion to Dismiss filed by New Mexicans for Michelle should be denied, and the General Counsel should initiate the requisite investigation.” 

This is just the latest win regarding this complaint, which was originally filed in May, and it appears to be advancing to the final stages, where a concrete determination can be made on whether the Lujan Grisham campaign did, indeed, break state law.

Trump-hating socialist who thinks America is a racist country running in CD-2

On Wednesday, Gabe Vasquez, a far-left city councilor in Las Cruces, announced he is running for Congress in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District to challenge incumbent Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell.

Vasquez is a known socialist who is diametrically opposed to most values held by the district — values that ex-Rep. Xochitl Torres Small — tried to use to sway moderates. He is a far-left rabid partisan with some of the most extreme far-left views available.

Vasquez believes President Donald Trump’s southern border wall is an “insult” and he believes in the naturalization of criminal aliens into New Mexico.

Vasquez claimed that because President Trump was not convicted during the Democrats’ second impeachment inquisition in February, that the country is “deeply rooted” in “white supremacy.” With words like this, it is hard to see how any voters of President Trump would ever consider a vote for Vasquez, as some may have voted for Torres Small.

Vasquez even went so far as to claim Trump, his supporters, and his “enablers” were terrorists toward immigrants.

In June, during the George Floyd protests, Vasquez once again claimed the United States is systemically racist and the “systems” (referring to police) are “built on oppression. He wrote, “Black lives matter. Until we deconstruct and rebuild the systems of oppression that keep black people in perpetual harm, justice will not be served. That includes law enforcement, the economy, and the disgusting wealth inequality that keeps white rich men in power.” 

In an unhinged op-ed, Vasquez even claimed his opponent, Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, should be “expelled.”

Vasquez’s extreme rhetoric appears not only out of step with the norms of the District but of New Mexico. Herrell’s leadership on multiple issues — despite being in the minority — shows her willingness to compromise, such as sending letters to Kamala Harris and Joe Biden. Vasquez on the other hand appears to be a rabid partisan with not much to offer other than constant hatred for President Trump and Congresswoman Herrell.

Scandal-ridden alleged serial groper MLG lauds Newsom for surviving recall

On Wednesday night, scandal-ridden alleged serial groper Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham congratulated her scandal-ridden friend Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, for him surviving a recall election attempt. 

She wrote to the embattled California governor, “Tonight, California voters chose progress! Congratulations @GavinNewsom, I know you will continue to champion progressive policies in #CA, by creating good-paying jobs, funding public education, and taking action on climate change.” 

Lujan Grisham has been a longtime ally of Newsom, who has been fighting alongside her for radical socialism in America. In one instance, they proudly stood together to try and block President Trump’s actions to curb illegal immigration, being the only two border states standing against the Trump administration’s actions.

They also have adopted mirroring radical climate change proposals, as we reported on previously. The two also stood arm and arm for radical pro-abortion policies.

Now, Lujan Grisham is going all-in on her support of Newsom, who much like herself, broke his pandemic rules to eat at a luxury fine dining restaurant (without a mask) while demanding Californians wear a mask in between bites of food. 

Lujan Grisham broke her rules to buy luxury jewelry from a shuttered business and used taxpayer funds to eat $200 per pound Wagyu beef steaks while making New Mexicans stand in cold bread lines over the holidays. 

But in an official statement from the “Democratic Governor’s Association,” Lujan Grisham wrote the following:

“Congratulations to Gov. Gavin Newsom on his victory in the Republican recall election. Gov. Newsom is a bold leader who has courageously navigated California through unprecedented crises while successfully fending off dangerous distractions by the far-right.

“Tonight, California voters chose progress over a completely out-of-touch Republican agenda. With his victory, Gov. Newsom will continue to lead based on science and facts while championing progressive policies like creating good-paying jobs, increasing access to affordable housing, funding public education, and taking action on climate change.

“The DGA was proud to be one of the earliest and largest funders of the Stop the Republican Recall effort. As we continue to fight for progress and opportunity for all, we are thankful to have Gov. Newsom as part of our strong coalition of Democratic governors.”

Now, Lujan Grisham faces a tough reelection of her own, with her cruel edicts trouncing her poll numbers in the state. Her favorability being on the low side, according to the latest left-wing polls, will harm her in her chances to hang onto her seat. 

ALERT: Attend upcoming NM Redistricting Committee hearings

There are still opportunities to weigh in on the New Mexico redistricting process, many of them coming up in the next few days. If citizens are interested in sharing input, there are multiple ways to contribute testimony online and in person. 

Here are some dates and times of upcoming meetings. Please mark your calendars. There are several meetings. You can track the details here and learn how to join in person or remotely. Meetings & Transparency – New Mexico Citizens Redistricting Committee (nmredistricting.org) If you click on the more information button on this page, you can find the Zoom link.

September 16, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., zoom meeting to discuss the issuance of initial map concepts to be published for public input

September 28, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Rio Rancho, County Commission Government Administration Building

September 29, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Crownpoint, Navajo Technical University

October 1, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Albuquerque, National Hispanic Cultural Center

October 2, 2021, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University

October 4, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. New Mexico State University, Corbett Student Union Building

October 4, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Satellite will be WNMU Silver City

October 5, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Roswell, NM Eastern New Mexico University

October 5, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Satellite will be ENMU Student Union

October 7, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Albuquerque, Indian Pueblo Council Center

October 8, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Farmington, San Juan College

October 8, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. Satellite will be UNM-Gallup

October 15, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Zoom meeting to adopt maps to be recommended to the Legislature for its consideration

October 29, 2021, 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Zoom meeting to adopt evaluations of maps to be recommended to the Legislature for its consideration

Stay tuned for a special legislative session by following postings at NMlegis.gov

Submit a Public Comment or Map – New Mexico Citizens Redistricting Committee (nmredistricting.org). You can also check out the gallery tab on this link to see other input that has been submitted.  If citizens have comments that go beyond the word limit or have used other drafting software, e-mail them to Lilly@communityconnectsconsulting.com and she will send them to all of the Citizen Redistricting Committee members, the team at Research and Polling, and the Ethics Commission team to get them posted.

Anti-life legislator and alleged MLG groping witness announces retirement

On Tuesday, far-left anti-life state Rep. Debbie Armstrong announced she will be retiring after he current term is up since she was able to finally pass her “grandma killer” bill to prescribe life-ending drug “cocktails” to kill people who have a terminal illness, including the mentally infirm, the disabled, and cancer patients.

Armstrong said, “Having passed the End-of-Life Options Act, the Healthcare Affordability Fund, and seeing the state truly turn a corner with the firm establishment of our medical cannabis program and legalization of adult-use cannabis, I feel it is time for me to focus on my family and other projects. I can’t thank enough my incredible constituents and supporters who have supported me and these important initiatives over the years, and who shared my vision of a state where every New Mexican can get access to the quality healthcare they deserve.”

Scandal-ridden alleged groper Gov. Lujan Grisham, who signed Armstrong’s bill, lauded the legislator, who has been a long-time business partner of Grisham, where the two defrauded the American taxpayers with their “Delta Consulting” endeavor, named after their college sorority Delta Delta Delta. 

The statement reads as follows:

“Representative Armstrong has for years been a strong advocate for the health and wellbeing of every New Mexican, one of the fiercest and most dedicated champions our state has ever had in this all-important issue area. Throughout her distinguished tenure as a legislator, she always put people first — making health insurance affordable for more families, reproductive healthcare accessible to more women and medical cannabis available to more patients, to name only a few of her numerous legislative accomplishments.

In 2021, Representative Armstrong succeeded in leading the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act through the Legislature, the culmination of a passionate decades-long effort for the representative and countless advocates for dignity in dying throughout our state.

I know she will continue her efforts to improve the lives of New Mexicans outside the Legislature, but her departure from that body will be a bittersweet occasion, as she has done so much for so many in that honorable role.

In addition to her meaningful professional work on behalf of New Mexicans, of course, Debbie is also, simply, an incredibly generous and loving and funny person, who I have been honored for so many years to call my dear friend. And as both a friend and colleague I wish her the very best of luck in her future endeavors and many happy years spent with her family and loved ones, and I look forward to continuing to work with her for a brighter future for New Mexico families.” 

The two reportedly grifted the people of New Mexico by upcharging the sick in the state’s high-risk insurance pool despite Obamacare effectively making the program obsolete. 

Regarding the alleged sexual assault by Grisham to a former staffer, we previously reported: 

He claims this assault happened during a senior staff meeting held at Representative Deborah Armstrong’s (D-Bernalillo) home in the summer of 2018…. Hallinan claimed then-U.S. Rep. Lujan Grisham “took a water bottle and dumped it on my crotch and then slapped and grabbed me in front of everybody.” 

Now, the anti-life legislator and alleged Lujan Grisham groping witness is calling it quits after her term is up, although it is unclear if an even more radical anti-lifer will fill her seat.

Webber blasted at candidate forum over his refusal to protect Soldiers Monument

On Monday, the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held its mayoral candidate forum with incumbent Mayor Alan Webber, City Councilor JoAnne Vigil Coppler, and Alexis Martinez Johnson. At the virtual event, Webber was challenged on his failure to protect the 153-year-old Soldiers’ Monument, which was destroyed in October 2020 by domestic terrorists, many affiliated with anti-Hispanic hate groups.

“To be absolutely clear, there was no order from the mayor to stand down,” Webber erroneously claimed when being called out by Johnson and Vigil Coppler.

However, that is a lie. On October 14, 2020, joined by Police Chief Andrew Padilla, Webber defended the Police Department’s decision to “stand down” and allow the riot, saying, “The choice to not incite more violence was the correct one.”

None of the domestic terrorists involved in the destruction of the monument faced jail time, with District Attorney Mary Carmack-Altweis claiming the move was “restorative justice.” 

“It is clear that order came from the mayor,” Vigil Coppler said during the forum. “We just saw our culture, our meaning, our tradition, what we used to mean on the Plaza just fade away, and no one has really been punished for that.”

Unable to contain himself, Webber fired back at the City Councilor, condescending her with, “I would expect Councilor Vigil Coppler to know more about how the city works than to say something as blatantly false as that.” He added, “The mayor does not order the police chief or any police officer to stand down. That is simply false and inaccurate.”

Martinez Johnson said, “We don’t negotiate with terrorists,” regarding the anti-Hispanic terrorists who toppled the monument. “No matter if you want the obelisk to stay or to go, I am talking about outright lawlessness.” She added, “I don’t care what any political party you are from, lawlessness is wrong.”

“Everyone around here should be aware that a giant monument in the middle of our Plaza came towering down in the middle of the day by a mob,” Martinez Johnson said in response to a question regarding crime. 

Webber then continued to tout his endorsements from far-left politicians, including Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, who have been political allies of the embattled mayor for years.

NMDOH sends cease and desist to hotel where Haaland had maskless wedding

According to a letter obtained exclusively by the Piñon Post, the New Mexico Department of Health sent cease and desist letter to the Hyatt Regency Tamaya resort outside of Bernalillo because of Democrat Interior Secretary Deb Haaland’s mostly maskless indoor wedding held in late August — a story broken exclusively by the Piñon Post. The event went in direct contradiction to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s health orders. 

The letter, dated August 30, reads, “Based on news reports and photographs, approximately 70 people attended the event, and several attendees were seen not wearing masks. Upon information and belief, the wedding reception was held indoors on your premises. We request that the Hyatt Regency Tamaya immediately cease and desist in hosting any similar events that may exacerbate the spread of the COVID-19.” 

The Department noted “The current Public Health Order of the Department requires all individuals age 2 years and older to wear a mask or multilayer cloth face covering in all indoor public settings except when eating or drinking, unless otherwise instructed by a healthcare provider. There is no exception to the mask requirement for individuals who have been vaccinated. Masks are just one of the many simple and effective tools relied upon to slow the harmful and deadly spread of COVID-19 in the community.” 

“Although the Public Health Order does not apply to tribal or pueblo territories, and the

Department recognizes that the sovereign nations of New Mexico are free to implement alternate health restrictions, we implore the Hyatt Regency Tamaya to voluntarily cease and desist from hosting events that may violate public health mandates and further hinder the state in its ongoing fight against COVID-19. It is critical that everyone in the state continues to partner to reduce the impact of COVID-19 during this instant surge caused by the Delta Variant.” 

Since the mostly maskless event, Haaland has refused to return requests for comment. No major liberal news outlets picked up the story, despite Haaland’s shameless performance at the wedding alongside Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS). 

Recently, a family-owned restaurant in Albuquerque, Backstreet Grill, was forcibly shuttered by a judge for bucking the Governor’s health orders. But Haaland and the Tamaya resort look to not be facing any similar consequences, despite the health orders and the resort’s own guidance requiring masking indoors. 

Piñon Post interviews GOP gubernatorial candidate Tim Walsh

On September 2, 2021, Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Walsh had a one-on-one interview with Piñon Post editor John Block to discuss the 2022 governor’s race to take out Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, current events, and what Walsh brings to the race. Tim Walsh is a formal Gov. Gary Johnson official with experience in education.

WATCH:

If the video is not showing up for you, please visit the video here.

Find out more about Tim at Walsh2022.com.

All Republican candidates for governor are scheduled for interviews and these interviews are being posted in alphabetical order by their last names.

The Piñon Post has made it a policy of not endorsing candidates. 

Piñon Post interviews GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Zanetti

On September 7, 2021, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Zanetti had a one-on-one interview with Piñon Post editor John Block to discuss the 2022 governor’s race to take out Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, current events, and what Zanetti brings to the race. Greg Zanetti is a retired brigadier general from the Army National Guard and a financier in Albuquerque.

WATCH:

If the video is not showing up for you, please visit the video here.

Find out more about Greg at ZanettiForGovernor.com.

All Republican candidates for governor are scheduled for interviews and these interviews are being posted in alphabetical order by their last names.

The Piñon Post has made it a policy of not endorsing candidates. 

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