On Tuesday, New Mexicans headed to the polls to vote for nominees who will battle for positions in November’s general election.
Far-left fringe Democrats defeated multiple more moderate incumbents who bucked Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s radical agenda, although many held on. Reps. Ambrose Castellano (D-Ribera), Willie Madrid (D-Chaparral), and Harry Garcia (D-Grants) were defeated by Lujan Grisham-backed “progressives.”
Rep. Marian Matthews (D-Albuquerque), who faced a primary challenge after she was one of the Democrats who voted against the governor’s “paid family and medical leave” bill, won her primary against a progressive challenger, and so did Rep. Patricia Lundstrom (D-Gallup), who faced two challengers. Sens. George Muñoz (D-Gallup) and Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) both handily won over far-left challengers.
Rep. Candy Spence Ezzell (R-Roswell) won her GOP bid for an open seat in Senate District 32, Rep. Larry Scott (R-Hobbs) beat incumbent Sen. Steven McCutcheon in District 42, Rep. Cathrynn Brown (R-Carlsbad) fended off a primary challenge from John Jack S. Volpato, Jr., and appointed Rep. Jared Hembree (R-Roswell) won his primary over challenger Tracy De La Rosa. In House District 62 being vacated by Scott, Elaine Sena Cortez won over two other opponents.
In Senate District 27’s GOP primary, Patrick Henry Boone, IV defeated incumbent Sen. Greg Nibert (R-Roswell), who served in the House before being appointed to the Senate.
State Sen. Bill O’Neill (D-Albuquerque) narrowly lost his primary to M. Debbie O’Malley. Embattled incumbent Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto (D-Albuquerque) lost to challenger Heather Jean Berghmans in Senate District 15.
Manny Gonzales, the Democrat-turned-Republican former Bernalillo County sheriff, narrowly lost the New Mexico Senate District 23 GOP nomination to Terry Lynne Aragon. In the Rio Rancho/Albuquerque area, Senate District 12, Jay Block won over former Sen. Candace Gould. In Senate District 21, Nicole L. Tobiassen won over two other Republicans for retiring Sen. Mark Moores’ seat. For retiring Rep. Bill Rehm’s seat, Nicole Chavez won the GOP nomination against Sarah Jane Allen and Patrick Huested.
Former State Rep. Linda Trujillo (D-Santa Fe) won the Democrat primary for retiring Sen. Nancy Rodriguez’s seat in the upper chamber of the Legislature over two challengers.
Republican House Leader Rod Montoya (R-Farmington) easily won over Keith Mitchell Neil, who challenged him for the nomination.
In Albuquerque’s House District 16, progressive-appointed incumbent Rep. Yanira Gurrola fended off a primary challenger from former Rep. Marsella Duarte. The seat was previously held by Sen. Moe Maestas (D-Albuquerque), who was appointed to the Senate. He won his primary over a challenger.
Piñon PAC-endorsed Karl Melton won over Democrat-backed Rachel Black for Otero County Treasurer in a closely watched primary.
In a shocking turn, Steve Jones narrowly clinched the GOP nomination for the First Congressional District over Calibers gun store owner Louie Sanchez. Jones will now advance to take on far-left Democrat Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury in November. Uncontested, former Rep. Yvette Herrell won the nomination for the Second Congressional District, while Sharon Clahchischilliage won the nomination for the Third Congressional District. Nella Domenici clinched the uncontested Republican U.S. Senate nomination.
First Judicial District Attorney Mary Virginia Carmack-Altweis (D-Santa Fe) fended off a challenge from former DA Marco Serna. In Albuquerque’s Second Judicial District, Democrat DA Sam Bregman won over former U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez.
With the candidates advancing to the November general election, some of these primary wins could determine the fate of the Legislature, especially in seats where incumbents lost to progressives, meaning the opposing party may have a chance at winning.
45th President Trump has made a big endorsement in one of New Mexico’s most contested congressional races.
On Monday, Trump endorsed Republican former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell for her bid to take back her former seat in the Second Congressional District.
The 45th President wrote on Truth Social, “A successful entrepreneur, Yvette knows how to Expand our Economy, Fight Inflation, and Create High-Paying Jobs. She will work hard to Lower Gas Prices, Support our Vets, Strengthen our Military, Secure our Border, and Defend the Second Amendment. Yvette Herrell has my Complete and Total Endorsement!”
In response, Herrell wrote, “Thank you President Trump! It’s an honor to have your support – and I look forward to working together to restore our country after we both win this November!”
Herrell faces far-left Democrat Gabe Vasquez, who narrowly took the district in 2022. Vasquez is under fire over his past racist attacks against former colleagues, including referring to one as “Chris, the n***er.” He also has previous drug possession arrests.
Vasquez is a far-left “progressive” in the newly gerrymandered Second Congressional District, which remains still competitive despite the Democrats’ attempts at redrawing it for naked political gain.
Along with Trump, Herrell has been endorsed by the entire Republican House leadership team, as well as many other high-profile names, such as Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) and Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY).
Major concerns have arisen regarding Democrat Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s proposed $600 million solar manufacturing initiative. An in-depth front-page report from the Albuquerque Journal has revealed several troubling issues surrounding the company behind this project.
Central to Lujan Grisham’s solar plans, the company is under investigation for violating federal securities laws. In addition to this legal scrutiny, the company has faced significant delays in releasing its financial reports, which has contributed to a substantial drop in its stock price. Perhaps most concerning is that the largest shareholder in the company is now a Chinese-based firm.
“These are some serious red flags, and New Mexico’s elected officials should be demanding real answers before sending millions down this road,” said Larry Behrens, Communications Director for Power The Future. “Of its many flaws, the main problem with the Inflation Reduction Act is that it leaves taxpayers on the hook for footing costs with little to no guarantee of results. And the fact a Chinese company would benefit from any profits only makes it worse. This is just the latest data point to prove the green industry can’t stand up without massive handouts from hardworking New Mexicans.”
The issues with the company have all emerged since Governor Lujan Grisham announced the partnership last August. Additionally, the company has already missed the governor’s promised deadline to break ground on their facility at the beginning of 2024.
Power The Future, a 501c4 non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for American energy workers, has been vocal in its criticism of the deal. Behrens emphasized the need for greater scrutiny and accountability before committing substantial taxpayer funds to the project.
The proposed solar manufacturing deal was initially hailed as a significant step forward in New Mexico’s renewable energy efforts. However, the recent revelations have cast a shadow over the project’s viability and the decision-making process behind it. Critics argue that without thorough vetting and stringent oversight, the state risks investing in a venture that may not deliver the promised economic or environmental benefits.
As the debate continues, New Mexico’s taxpayers and elected officials must carefully weigh the potential risks and rewards associated with the solar manufacturing initiative. The involvement of a Chinese-based company and the company’s current legal and financial troubles only add to the complexity of the decision.
In light of these developments, calls for transparency and due diligence are growing louder. It remains to be seen how Governor Lujan Grisham and her administration will address these concerns and what steps will be taken to ensure that any future investments in renewable energy are both responsible and beneficial for New Mexico’s citizens.
In an article from the pro-abortion fringe site “The 19th,” Lujan Grisham and two other abortion up-to-birth governors were featured to talk about their assaults in each of their respective states. The governors invoked shootings as the impetus for their gun-grabbing, including Lujan Grisham.
Democrat New York Gov. Kathy Hochul bragged about her state’s “Red flag” law and a law taking away 18-20-year-olds’ rights to own firearms. She claimed, “This was deeply personal to me.”
Michigan’s Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer touted bills she signed taking away her citizens’ constitutional rights.
“Whitmer signed into law an extreme risk law, a secure storage requirement for firearms to protect children, a background check requirement for all unlicensed gun sales, a law prohibiting those convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors from purchasing or possessing firearms, and an extreme risk protection order law allowing police officers, health care professionals and family members concerned about someone who may harm themselves or others to seek a court order to temporarily confiscate their firearms,” the outlet reported.
Whitmer said, “Is there more to do? Absolutely. Is there ultimately going to be a need for national action? Yes.”
Lujan Grisham bragged about her 7-day waiting period bill passed in the 2024 Legislative Session and her unconstitutional edict that she signed to use the death of a child for political gain last September, banning all firearm possession and ownership in Albuquerque. The executive order was immediately struck down by a Joe Biden-appointed federal judge.
The governor then blamed outrage after her unconstitutional actions on “sexism.”
“She knows it is work that doesn’t necessarily come without detractors — and sexism,” wrote the outlet, quoting her as saying, “I think someone opposing me might say, ‘Oh she had an emotional break’ but no — it’s a practical response to recognizing that my job is actually to make sure that I do everything in my power to make Americans and New Mexicans and their families and their children safe…. There are just so many guns out there. That family didn’t see a car with guns. You just can’t see them. You don’t know where they are. You can’t attenuate your risk.”
Lujan Grisham has called a special session for July 18 focused on “crime,” although her specific agenda items have not yet been set. She may bring forward more unconstitutional legislation to rival Whitmer and Hochul.
On Thursday, a New York jury, stacked with foes of 45th President Trump, found him guilty on all 34 counts in an unfair trial relating to so-called “hush money payments.” The verdict came after the prosecution brought forward witnesses, such as convicted felon and liar Michael Cohen and porn actress Stormy Daniels, who impeached themselves on the witness stand with contradictory testimony. Cohen even admitted to stealing tens of thousands of dollars from Trump.
Following the verdict, New Mexico conservatives responded with fury.
Republican Former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell of the Second District wrote, “This case was election interference through and through, designed from the start to take President Trump off the campaign trail and damage his prospects in November. But I’m confident Americans will see through this weaponization of our legal system and vote to get our country back on track by electing Donald Trump.”
This case was election interference through and through, designed from the start to take President Trump off the campaign trail and damage his prospects in November. But I’m confident Americans will see through this weaponization of our legal system and vote to get our country…
GOP U.S. Senate nominee Nella Domenici wrote, “It is a sad day in our country when Americans see our justice system weaponized. Thankfully there is an appeals process that can correct miscarriages of justice. We stand at an unprecedented time, with our country growing more and more divided each day. This must end. We must come together. We must have leaders who restore trust in our institutions, trust in the rule of law, and trust in one another.”
It is a sad day in our country when Americans see our justice system weaponized. Thankfully there is an appeals process that can correct miscarriages of justice. We stand at an unprecedented time, with our country growing more and more divided each day. This must end.
State Rep. John Block (R-Alamogordo) wrote, “This sham verdict just won President Trump this election. The Dems dug their own grave, and it will forever be remembered in American history,” adding, “The Founding Fathers are rolling around in their graves.”
This sham verdict just won President Trump this election. The Dems dug their own grave and it will forever be remembered in American history. pic.twitter.com/s4XtqYxKzx
“Through a leftist prosecutor and judge with a political vendetta, the Biden administration and Democrats have dangerously weaponized the judiciary against their biggest political opponent to detract from the mess [Joe] Biden has made of our country,” wrote New Mexico Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce in a statement.
President Trump has made it clear he will appeal the ruling. The Democrat judge in the case has scheduled sentencing for mid-July, just days before the RNC Convention, where Trump is set to accept the GOP nomination.
In the summer of 2004, an incident occurred at a call center in Las Cruces, New Mexico, that has resurfaced in the form of a police report obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. The report details a disturbing phone call received by a human resources employee at Research Data Design, a now-defunct consulting business. The caller, identified by the employee as former worker Gabe Vasquez, used a racial slur to ask for “Chris” before hanging up and calling back to ask for “Chris, the black man,” laughing before disconnecting.
Gabe Vasquez, now a Democratic congressman representing New Mexico’s second district, was a former employee of the company who had been terminated for falsifying data. The police report from 2004, which was obtained through a public records request, confirms the identification of Vasquez as the caller. A city records custodian verified that Vasquez was the suspect in the report, although his name is redacted in the document.
This revelation stands in stark contrast to Vasquez’s public persona. In 2020, Vasquez, a progressive Democrat and supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, called for the dismantling of oppressive systems harming Black people. During his 2022 congressional campaign, he urged supporters to celebrate Juneteenth, recognizing the contributions of Black Americans. Additionally, he has frequently criticized others for racist behavior, including comparing the Trump administration to the Ku Klux Klan.
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Vasquez has not responded to requests for comment. The police report, part of a series of documents obtained from Las Cruces city records, includes other incidents involving Vasquez during his time at New Mexico State University from 2002 to 2008. These records detail arguments with a girlfriend and arrests for marijuana possession.
The 2004 police report describes how the human resources employee at Research Data Design called Vasquez to inform him of her intention to report the harassment to the police. Following this warning, no further calls were received. The report lists the offense under a statute that criminalizes the use of a telephone to intimidate or harass, but the case was suspended in 2008 without any charges against Vasquez.
“At approximately 1600 hours he called Research Data Design and she answered the phone,” the police report says. “She stated that the person asked, ‘Is Chris there?’ She said, ‘Who, which Chris?’ as apparently there are a number of Chrises there and he said, ‘Chris, the n—er.’ She hung up,” the police report read.
Vasquez’s past interactions with law enforcement include a domestic dispute in 2007 where police responded to a possible domestic situation at his home and a 2005 incident where he was caught attempting to flush marijuana during a noise complaint investigation. Additionally, in 2002, Vasquez failed to appear in court for charges of driving without a license and insurance in El Paso, Texas, resulting in an arrest warrant executed just two months ago.
Following the shocking revelations, National Republican Congressional Committee Spokeswoman Delanie Bomar wrote, “This is unacceptable behavior from a Member of Congress. Gabe Vasquez clearly has a problem with authority and this pattern of behavior shows he is unfit to serve. Do Hakeem Jeffries and Vasquez’s House colleagues agree?”
“This is absolutely disqualifying behavior for a Member of Congress,” said the Congressional Leadership Fund’s Regional Press Secretary Maureen O’Toole. “How can Democrats stand by after Gabe Vasquez hurled inexcusable racial slurs while harassing a former colleague? Will Democrats hold Vasquez accountable?”
Republican Former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, the GOP nominee for the District, wrote, “Absolutely disgusting conduct. Let’s hold Gabe Vasquez accountable in November!”
In typical fashion, anti-America First liberal “Republicans” are trying to seize onto a resource they have previously failed to get to help them across the finish line in GOP primaries: Democrats.
In New Mexico’s conservative Otero County, Democrats are trying to stop a conservative America First Republican from becoming the County’s next treasurer by betting big on their own “Republican” candidate, Rachel Black.
Conservative former Alamogordo City Commissioner Karl Melton is running for the open seat to oversee the County’s tax dollars and wisely invest them for the biggest benefit of the county. Previously endorsed by Republican former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, Melton has the endorsements of state Reps. John Block (R-Alamogordo) and Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) who were the two representatives who led the impeachment effort against Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for her unconstitutional actions. Lord previously shared a legislative office with Black and endorsed Melton over her former colleague.
Melton has over a dozen years of experience in finance, accounting, compliance, and fundraising, working for groups such as the Heritage Foundation, the Club for Growth, and the Leadership Institute. He has worked managing funds for President Trump’s largest independent ally organizations and leading trade associations, where he managed millions of dollars. He has a Master’s in Public Administration from Liberty University and is finishing a Master of Finance from the same institution. In contrast, his opponent, Rachel Black, has not completed any formal degree relevant to finance or accounting.
Black, who is the current deputy treasurer and who was ousted in 2022 by Block in the Republican primary after Black voted for Gov. Lujan Grisham’s multi-billion-dollar budget that wasted taxpayer dollars on Critical Race Theory, socialist “free” college programs and an anti-gun “office of gun violence prevention” to infringe upon New Mexicans’ Second Amendment rights. In 2022, Black’s campaign, which now funds her current run for treasurer, was backed by pro-abortion legislators who voted for abortion up-to-birth and other Democrats, who threw thousands at her failed attempt to cling to power.
That, among other bad votes, such as being the lone vote against tax relief for hurting small businesses during Lujan Grisham’s brutal pandemic lockdown, helped in Black’s defeat. She has promised to give her best friend, the current treasurer Laura Whiteside, the job of deputy treasurer, which she currently holds, an evasion of term limits and a way for both of them to pack more years onto their county pensions for the rest of their lives at the expense of the taxpayers.
She said at a local meeting, “My chief deputy would be Laura, so nothing will change as far as anyone new coming into the office.”
Since working at the Otero County Treasurer’s Office under her best friend, Laura Whiteside, Black has advocated for pay raises for elected officials, saying in 2018 that she “believes it is time for Otero County elected officials to get a raise in their salary,” as reported by the Alamogordo Daily News.
“Do I believe it’s time? Yes. Do I believe it has to go to vote? No. I believe it’s up to you commissioners to make that decision,” she said, noting how the people should not have a say in whether politicians like her should get a pay raise.
Melton, in contrast, has noted he is not running for the salary or pension. In fact, if elected, he would actually take a pay cut to serve the people of the County. He also has pledged to have an interview process to find the most qualified deputy, not just hire his buddy like Black will do.
Taxpayers can expect more of the same from Black if elected, as she said in a recent interview, “I don’t know that a lot would really change, to be honest with you.”
Currently, the investments made by the current treasurer’s office are garnering a net 2.8 percent annual return, with many funds held in extremely low-interest certificates of deposit (CDs) that mature 4-5 years from now.
In comparison, the inflation rate for 2023 was 3.4 percent, so with the current investment structure in the Otero County Treasurer’s Office, the County is losing money yearly, factoring in inflation. Other New Mexico counties’ investment portfolios are making nearly double, with some at upwards of 4.14 percent.
The latest inflation rate for March was “3.1% for the CPI-U and 3.5% for Core CPI-U,” as estimated by Wells Fargo.
Black has also alienated conservative elected officials by believing she, as deputy treasurer, does not need to attend County Commission meetings and coordinate with other conservative elected officials to work toward the betterment of the community, as the current treasurer’s office has been siloed off from the rest of the county administration.
Democrats are now openly supporting Black, with fringe pro-abortion up-to-birth Democrat Ashlie Myers (who is attempting to oust Block) writing, “gotta get the vote out for Rachel, then. I’m sure she needs volunteers to help get that done.” Myers’ campaign treasurer, Alexis Romo, who runs a faceless, nameless X account attacking both Block and Melton, agreed with Myers, making comments supportive of Black.
In 2022, Melton sponsored the successful resolution declaring Alamogordo a sanctuary city for unborn babies. Once the pro-life measure passed, Myers attempted to force the resolution onto the ballot for a vote by getting enough signatures through a petition process, calling the resolution “extremist.” Not only did Myers fail to get enough signatures, but she also failed to go through the proper protocols to get the petition itself approved before dissemination. Since then, she has had a vendetta against Melton for supporting the sanctity of life in the pro-life city of Alamogordo.
Local far-left Democrat Edward Chavez wrote regarding Melton’s candidacy for treasurer, “So I would think a few democrats and independents should definitely switch their registration to republican to keep Karl out of the treasury office (sic).”
Far-leftist convicted felon and Planned Parenthood supporter Chris Edwards, who has had an unnatural obsession, akin to stalking, with Melton and Block for years now by posting incoherent screeds about them on a blog, agreed with Chavez, hoping “500 would change outcomes with a cushion to spare” in the attempt to keep the true conservative candidate out of the treasurer’s role.
Another leftist going by “Lisa Gman” on Facebook wrote in response to Democrat Myers’ glowing endorsement of Black, “I’m registered as a republican (sic) and I encourage other independents to register under another party. I will not vote for [Melton],” noting how she will be supporting Black.
Democrat former state House candidate Steve Brockett, who is a friend of Joe Biden, endorsed Black’s campaign and donated money to her, which she gladly accepted, even bragging about his support on social media. On May 21, Brockett gave another $1,000 to Black’s campaign.
Rachel Black unsuccessfully attempted to downplay Brockett’s leftism, claiming photos of him with Joe Biden are just because he formerly worked with Biden for funding following the 2006 flood. However, Brockett posted the photo with Biden in January 2021, when Biden was inaugurated, and has many other pictures promoting far-left Democrats, including Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, as you can see by scrolling below:
Other Democrats, including failed former judicial candidate Claudia Powell and failed former state representative candidate Denise Lange-Brown, also back Rachel Black.
Far-left anti-gun activist Diana Cox, a Democrat Party of New Mexico official and vicious anti-Trumper, gave a glowing endorsement of Black.
Currently, there is no official Democrat Party in Otero County after it was disbanded following a scourge of infighting between factions, leaving it in pieces. Since then, Democrats have independently threatened to infiltrate the 2024 Republican primary for Otero County treasurer.
If history is any indicator of Democrats’ successes with this tactic in 2022 with Liz Cheney and locally with their failed pro-abortion petition drive, it is unclear if they will convince enough Democrats to switch parties to vote for the leftist candidate.
While Melton is running on a conservative platform of transparency for the county, wise investment of funds for the maximum return, and a promise to hire the most qualified candidate for deputy treasurer, the establishment candidate is getting support from Democrats looking to influence the Republican primary.
To learn more about Karl Melton, click here, and to donate to his campaign, click here.
Recent data from the Department of Justice (DOJ) indicates a dramatic increase in the number of noncitizens failing to appear for their immigration court hearings. This trend is on track to surpass 170,000 in fiscal year (FY) 2024, eclipsing last year’s record of nearly 160,000. Andrew R. Arthur of the Center for Immigration Studies highlights that many of these individuals may be subject to removal orders, yet the Biden administration shows little intention of enforcing these actions.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), immigration judges (IJs) oversee removal proceedings, determine noncitizens’ removability, and issue removal orders. These proceedings depend on respondents attending their hearings. However, despite the requirement that noncitizens appear in court or face removal in absentia, enforcement by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has significantly waned.
The impact of these no-shows is particularly pronounced in New Mexico. The state has seen a marked increase in absentia orders of removal, mirroring the national trend. From October to December 2023 alone, immigration judges issued 42,714 absentia orders nationwide, suggesting a potential total of around 170,000 by the end of the fiscal year. This represents a staggering increase compared to previous years, with 25,909 such orders in FY 2014 and 38,260 in FY 2015.
Arthur attributes the surge in no-shows to a broader decline in DHS removals. DHS’s Office of Homeland Security Statistics (OHSS) reported just over 179,400 removals in FY 2023 despite encountering more than 3.2 million noncitizens at borders and ports. This number pales in comparison to removals during the Obama administration, which peaked at nearly 405,000 in FY 2014 and exceeded 347,000 in FY 2019.
One major factor in the decline is the policy direction DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas set. In a September 2021 memo, Mayorkas outlined a more selective approach to enforcement, focusing on national security threats, serious criminals, and recent border crossers. This has led to fewer enforcement actions against noncitizens ordered removed in absentia, even though these individuals received due process.
Arthur suggests that the administration’s overall stance has signaled to noncitizens that immigration law enforcement is lax. From the early 2021 announcement pausing alien removals for 100 days to the current non-detention policies, the message appears to be one of minimal enforcement.
In New Mexico and beyond, this approach has created a situation where many noncitizens feel emboldened to disregard court orders without fear of repercussions. “If the White House doesn’t care, why would the aliens?” Arthur posits, reflecting on the broader implications of the administration’s policies.
As a result, the immigration enforcement process has been likened to “kabuki theater” — a performance with little substance. Despite the significant resources allocated for enforcement, the actual follow-through remains inadequate, leaving taxpayers footing the bill for a system that fails to deliver on its intended promises.
Nella Domenici, the New Mexico GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate, has unveiled her first TV ad for the 2024 campaign, titled “Monroe.” The ad is named after the street in Albuquerque, where Nella and her seven siblings grew up, evoking a sense of nostalgia and highlighting the Domenici family’s longstanding legacy of service in New Mexico.
The ad pays homage to Nella’s parents, Pete and Nancy Domenici, both lifelong Albuquerque residents. Her father, Senator Pete Domenici, served New Mexico for thirty-six years in the U.S. Senate, significantly impacting communities throughout the state. Nella’s mother has been a prominent advocate for mental health. The Domenici family, including numerous siblings, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews, remains deeply rooted in the Albuquerque area.
Highlighting Nella’s professional achievements, the ad showcases her rise to the top in the finance industry while balancing the roles of wife and mother. Her philanthropic contributions in New Mexico have been so extensive that those familiar with her work often remark that “Nella had a second career in New Mexico philanthropy.”
In a statement accompanying the ad, Nella Domenici expressed her commitment to continuing her family’s legacy and encouraging New Mexicans to seek more from their representatives in November:
“I’m proud to continue the Domenici legacy of delivering more for New Mexico. I learned the value of leadership from my parents in Albuquerque. I began my career at the bottom of the career chain and worked my way up, so I know how to fight and win. Now, I want to fight and win for our home.”
The ad, part of an initial six-figure campaign investment, narrates the story of Nella’s upbringing in New Mexico and the enduring Domenici legacy of service and leadership. The voiceover in the video is a tribute to her father, using the same narrator from Senator Domenici’s campaign advertisements. This connection reinforces the deep-rooted dedication of the Domenici family to serving New Mexico.
As Nella Domenici challenges far-left Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich, she aims to resonate with voters across New Mexico by drawing on her family’s history and her own professional and philanthropic experience. The ad shows a stark contrast to Heinrich, who lives in Maryland.
Triggered by the ad buy and attempting to defend its Silver Spring, Maryland-dwelling Heinrich, the Democrat Party of New Mexico quipped on X, “Multimillionaire former hedge fund executive Nella Domenici is spending half a million dollars to cover up a career of bad judgment calls and questionable values that belong on Wall Street, not in New Mexico.” It is interesting they used this line of attack, blasting Domenici for being a successful businesswoman despite their own incumbent’s choice of dwelling outside of the state he purportedly represents.
In a strategic move to maintain its majority in the House, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), a super PAC endorsed by Speaker Johnson and House Republican Leadership, has announced its first wave of fall ad reservations for the 2024 election cycle. The initial reservations amount to $141 million, covering television, streaming, and digital platforms across 37 media markets. This figure surpasses the spending from previous election cycles, with nearly $20 million more than in 2022 and over three times the amount spent in 2020.
Dan Conston, President of the CLF, emphasized the significance of this early investment, stating, “This is a significant early down payment on Republicans holding the House Majority. The map is undoubtedly small, and we are in a dogfight. Yet we are in a stronger position than the mainstream narrative suggests, with a promising political environment and standout Members and candidates in the toughest races. Effective campaigns and resources will really matter.”
A notable aspect of this announcement is the substantial ad spending in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, where a highly anticipated rematch between GOP former Rep. Yvette Herrell and Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez is set to take place. The CLF has allocated $2.3 million in Albuquerque, which includes $345,000 for Spanish-language media, underscoring the importance of reaching diverse voter demographics in this district.
The Herrell-Vasquez race is expected to be one of the most fiercely contested battles in the 2024 cycle. Herrell, who narrowly lost her seat to Vasquez in the 2022 election, is looking to reclaim her position. Conversely, Vasquez aims to solidify his hold on the district amidst a challenging political landscape.
The CLF’s significant investment in Albuquerque reflects the critical nature of New Mexico’s Second Congressional District for both parties. This funding will be pivotal in financing extensive television, streaming, and digital advertisements designed to sway voters and bolster Herrell’s campaign efforts. The $694,000 reservation in the El Paso market may also partly be used to support Herrell.
In addition to New Mexico, the CLF has made substantial reservations in other key markets. These include $20.7 million in New York City, $18.2 million in Los Angeles, and $6.5 million in Fresno-Visalia, among others. Each market allocation is strategically designed to maximize Republican influence and voter reach ahead of the 2024 elections.
In response to news of the ad buy, Vasquez wrote in a panicky email to supporters, “The Congressional Leadership Fund — a dark money group supported by MAGA Speaker Mike Johnson — wants to intimidate Team Vasquez into giving up. But, let’s be honest, this just shows that MAGA Republicans are the ones running scared.”
However, CLF is not a “dark money group” since it discloses its donors and supporters to the Federal Election Commission, unlike true dark money groups, such as Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and the League of Conservation Voters, which donate from their leftist dark money nonprofits to PACs. These groups are backing Vasquez’s run with true “dark money.”
Conston’s statement highlights the Republican strategy of leveraging resources effectively to maintain their majority. The emphasis on a “promising political environment” and “standout Members and candidates” indicates a calculated approach to overcoming the competitive challenges presented by the upcoming election cycle.
