Politics

Tim Keller gets brutally ratioed after claiming ABQ crime is ‘trending down’

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

ALBUQUERQUE — A new X post from far-left Democrat Mayor Tim Keller is backfiring spectacularly after he publicly claimed that crime is “trending down” in Albuquerque — a city that continues to rank among the most dangerous in the country and even in the world.

In a video posted to X, Keller proclaimed:

“Crime is trending down in Albuquerque because we are taking a smarter approach. With better tech, added support staff, and ACS taking thousands of calls, officers can focus on violent crime. This is how we move our city forward, safer and stronger together.”

But the public response was immediate — and overwhelmingly negative. As of 10:00 p.m., Keller’s post had just 25 likes and 99 comments, a ratio signaling widespread rejection of his narrative.

The reality: Albuquerque is not seeing major crime improvement

Contrary to Keller’s claims, Albuquerque remains one of the most crime-stricken cities in America. According to global crime analysis published this year, Albuquerque ranks as the 20th most dangerous city in the world with a crime index of 71.4. The ranking, based on data from global risk assessment sources, places Albuquerque alongside cities plagued by far higher levels of violence than the national average.

KOAT also reported this year that Albuquerque was one of the most dangerous cities in the nation on Halloween, reflecting statistically high rates of violent crime, repeat offenders, and soaring property theft.

For residents, Keller’s rosy portrayal of safety stands in stark contrast to their lived reality.

X Users Torch Keller in the Replies

Residents unleashed a wave of frustration, anger, and disbelief:

  • Kimberly DeaBueno: “I know first hand the approach you’re taking, ignoring 911 cries for help! I was told 2x no officer available after I was being threatened with thugs with guns at my business. Since you don’t respond to actual crime, your false stats go down 🙄 nobody is safe in Albuquerque!”
  • TDog73: “If you stop arresting people for committing crime, crime ‘Statistics’ will go down but everyone that lives here knows crime has never been worse. You literally admitted it during the debate. You have failed everyone that lives here and you need to go. You are the problem.”
  • Mrs. Gen X: “You are a joke and everyone is sick of it. You are the problem! Make Albuquerque safe again. Vote @darrenPwhite”
  • Jon Herr: “Your policies caused crime rates to explode… only when you were up for reelection did you start talking about cleaning it up.”
  • Shayadjinn: “‘Smarter’ = changing what’s called a ‘violent’ crime — messing with stats I would bet. Because the city looks and acts exactly the same. Keller is leaving Albuquerque worse than he found it — WAY, WAY worse. And worse? He’s lying.”
  • Lobo1984: “No, it’s not trending down. Reports are down because people have become apathetic. I’ve had more than 10 incidents at my business property over the past 2 years. I haven’t called once. It’s become the norm and a cost of doing business in Albuquerque under your term.”
  • Mike Romo: “I literally just heard rapid gunfire from my house.”
  • Motor jupiter the 2nd: “And right after I posted this, what popped up on my feed? Last night’s Murder 107…”

Even the Republican Party of New Mexico Executive Director Leticia Muñoz weighed in, writing:

“This post is ratio’d for obvious reasons.”

A major warning sign ahead of the mayoral runoff

Keller is currently facing former Bernalillo County Sheriff Darren White in a high-stakes December 9 runoff. Public safety is the defining issue — and Keller’s X ratio is a glaring signal that voters simply don’t believe him.

Analysts say Keller’s attempt to declare victory on crime is risky, particularly when residents feel unsafe, hear gunfire nightly, or have given up calling 911 because police response is nonexistent.

Bottom line

Mayor Keller’s optimistic narrative is clashing sharply with Albuquerque’s real crime statistics, national rankings, and the lived experiences of residents. His attempt to claim that crime is “trending down” has not only failed to persuade — it’s triggered an online revolt.

With crime dominating the runoff, Keller’s ratio might be more than an embarrassing internet moment — it may be a preview of how voters feel heading into Election Day.

Tim Keller gets brutally ratioed after claiming ABQ crime is ‘trending down’ Read More »

Did Vasquez forget NM exists? He votes down $32M+ in local funding

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

After forcing New Mexicans through the longest government shutdown in U.S. history, Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez is now facing fierce backlash for voting against the bipartisan deal that finally ended the 42-day crisis — and for voting against tens of millions of dollars in funding for communities across southern New Mexico, including multiple major military installations.

The shutdown, driven by House and Senate Democrats demanding political “leverage,” left federal workers unpaid, grounded flights, stalled military operations, and destabilized families across New Mexico. As the National Republican Congressional Committee put it,

“Gabe Vasquez and the Democrat Party’s government shutdown was nothing more than a disgusting and shameless display of just how far they will go to appease their radical socialist base. New Mexico voters won’t forget it.” — NRCC Spokesman Reilly Richardson

Yet when Congress finally brought forward a bipartisan plan to reopen the government, Vasquez broke from the majority and voted no — choosing continued chaos rather than relief for workers, families, and service members.

And the consequences for New Mexico-02 are staggering.

Vasquez voted against more than $32 million in community and military funding

According to internal communications shared with the Piñon Post, the bill Vasquez opposed included major investments directly benefiting his district, including:

  • Cannon Air Force Base — $8.1 million
  • Holloman Air Force Base — $700,000
  • Kirtland Air Force Base — $3.2 million
  • Kirtland Air Force Base — $18.25 million
  • Town of Mesilla Town Hall improvements — $1 million
  • National Center for Frontier Communities workforce training facility — $850,000

In total, that is more than $32 million Vasquez voted against — funding that will still come to New Mexico despite his opposition.

Kirtland Air Force Base alone generated a $7.5 billion economic impact in FY 2024, according to federal data. Numerous military families and veterans in NM-02 rely on these installations for employment, housing stability, and local economic security.

RNC: Vasquez “went to Washington and forgot about New Mexicans”

Delanie Bomar, a former New Mexico GOP staffer now serving at the RNC, flagged Vasquez’s vote in a message to the Piñon Post, noting the political hypocrisy:

“Not only did he vote to keep the government shutdown, but he also voted against $1.85 million for his own communities….
This included funding he personally requested after meeting with Mesilla and the National Center for Frontier Communities.”

National strategists say it should be expected that this vote will be used in ads against Vasquez.

The message that Vasquez “went to D.C. and forgot about New Mexicans” is one strategists say “works very well in this district.”

Vasquez also voted against funding for Holloman and Cannon

Richardson’s follow-up outlined just how severe Vasquez’s opposition was, noting that the congressman voted against funding affecting the three largest military presences connected to NM-02:

  • Cannon AFB (Clovis)
  • Holloman AFB (Alamogordo)
  • Kirtland AFB (Albuquerque, which employs thousands of NM-02 residents through mission transfers and contracting ties)

Workforce training, small-town infrastructure, and border-region economic development were also included — all rejected by Vasquez.

After 42 days of chaos, Vasquez’s “no” vote stands alone

The shutdown strained every corner of New Mexico: TSA agents worked without pay, border agents were stretched thin, and military families braced for uncertainty.

Unions pleaded for Democrats to reopen the government. Airlines blamed the chaos for cancelled flights. Federal installations across the state scrambled to prepare for missed paychecks.

Yet Vasquez, even after all of that, voted against reopening the government and against millions in investments he had told local leaders he supported.

Political observers say the vote is an “unforced error” that could haunt him in a district already known for punishing incumbents who appear out of step with local needs.

In a district as competitive as NM-02, voting against your own constituents — and against their military bases, job training, and infrastructure — may prove to be one of the most consequential decisions of Gabe Vasquez’s short congressional career.

Did Vasquez forget NM exists? He votes down $32M+ in local funding Read More »

Tim Keller attack ad on Darren White proven false

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In one of the most brazen displays of political dishonesty in recent memory, Mayor Tim Keller has unveiled an attack ad against former Bernalillo County Sheriff and former Albuquerque Public Safety Director Darren White — an ad so flagrantly false that even a basic Google search exposes it as fabricated nonsense.

The ad claims White wants to “let Donald Trump round up innocent people” and implies he would bring federal immigration agents (ICE) into Albuquerque to “check everyone in the city.” 

Keller’s team clipped a single sentence from an interview — “ICE will come in and they will look at everybody” — stripping it of all context in a desperate attempt to manufacture fear.

In reality, White was clearly referring to individuals already arrested and booked into Albuquerque’s prisoner transport unit. His position has been consistent for years: if criminals are in custody for breaking the law, ICE should be allowed to check their immigration status. Keller’s team surgically removed every word around the clip to deceive voters — a move critics have called “political malpractice” and “intentionally dishonest.”

But the ad gets even worse.

Keller goes on to declare that White “was forced to resign” due to police shootings of “innocent people.” This is not just misleading — it is demonstrably false, and Keller undoubtedly knows it.

White did not resign because of police shootings. He voluntarily stepped down in 2011 so an investigation could proceed into whether he improperly interfered in the police response to his wife’s car accident. And that investigation didn’t harm him — it cleared him completely.

Not one, but two independent investigations exonerated White:

  • The Independent Review Office (IRO) found that White did not interfere in the investigation and did not misuse his authority.
  • The City Council-ordered Inspector General investigation came to the exact same conclusion.

Even Democratic City Council President Ken Sanchez stated publicly at the time:
“Darren White did no wrong, and we can put the issue behind us and move on as a city.”

KOAT 7 News — hardly a right-wing outlet — reported that White was “completely cleared” and that his resignation had nothing to do with police shootings. Keller’s claim reverses that reality entirely, inventing a scandal out of whole cloth.

Political observers say Keller’s attack speaks more loudly about his own sinking record than about White’s decades of law-enforcement leadership. With rampant crime, a demoralized police department, repeated ethics controversies, and cratering public confidence, Keller appears to be grasping for any line of attack — even lies that can be debunked in seconds.

White’s campaign described Keller’s meltdown accurately: a desperate incumbent willing to “say anything to win,” including suggesting that local police “murdered innocent people” — a reckless smear that insults the entire department.

As voters move deeper into election season, the contrast is becoming stark. Keller is leaning into distortion, fear-mongering, and fabricated narratives. White, meanwhile, stands on a documented, factual record: his comments on ICE were about jailed offenders, not law-abiding residents, and he was fully exonerated from the manufactured scandal Keller now tries to resurrect.

Keller’s ad may go down as one of the boldest political lies in Albuquerque history — but in the age of instant fact-checking, it may also cost him more than he bargained for.

Tim Keller attack ad on Darren White proven false Read More »

Stansbury melts down on TMZ with bonkers Trump–Epstein theory

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a bizarre and baseless outburst, New Mexico Democrat Rep. Melanie Stansbury is accusing the White House of “covering up” President Donald Trump’s supposed ties to Jeffrey Epstein — even though no credible evidence has ever linked Trump to Epstein’s criminal acts, and years of investigations under Democrat-led agencies have produced nothing to the contrary.

Appearing on TMZ Live on Wednesday, Stansbury claimed a newly released batch of Epstein-related emails proved “the White House is trying to cover up Donald Trump’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.” She pointed to one message, allegedly sent to Ghislaine Maxwell, reading:

“I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is trump.. [VICTIM REDACTED] spent hours at my house with him ,, he has never once been mentioned.”

From that vague and decades-old email, Stansbury jumped to wild conclusions — speculating about “police involvement” and accusing the Trump administration of hiding evidence. She went so far as to allege officials are “threatening Republicans to remove their signatures” from a discharge petition demanding full release of Epstein-related materials.

Stansbury’s rant quickly drew ridicule from journalists and commentators across the spectrum. Newsmax host Rob Schmitt blasted her conspiracy-laden tirade on X, writing:

“The usual clowns with more bulls**t. The name of the victim Trump spent ‘hours with’ was redacted by Dems. This was done intentionally. It’s Virginia Giuffre, her identity was unmasked by Republicans. Why did Dems conceal her ID??? Because Giuffre praised Trump in her book as having done nothing wrong. These people are animals.”

Schmitt’s post refers to Virginia Giuffre, the most prominent Epstein accuser, who has publicly stated that Donald Trump never acted inappropriately toward her. In fact, Giuffre wrote in her 2015 memoir that Trump was “a good guy” and that she had “never seen him act improperly toward anyone.” Even the FBI — under Democrat administrations — never found an iota of evidence linking Trump to Epstein’s trafficking ring.

Trump himself cut ties with Epstein long before his arrest. As The Associated Press reported, the future president banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago Club after learning Epstein had attempted to recruit one of the club’s employees. “I’m not a fan of Jeffrey Epstein,” Trump told reporters years before Epstein’s death. Multiple witnesses have confirmed Trump severed contact with Epstein once his disturbing behavior came to light.

Despite that history, Stansbury — who has a reputation for far-left activism — continues to spin the theory that Trump somehow escaped accountability through an elaborate White House “cover-up.” Her remarks come as Democrats attempt to weaponize the release of selective Epstein documents to smear political opponents. Notably, these same Democrats control both the Department of Justice and the FBI — agencies that have had full access to Epstein’s materials for years. If any connection between Trump and Epstein existed, it would have been exposed long ago by political operatives eager to destroy him.

Instead, after years of investigations and thousands of pages of records, there is still zero evidence tying Donald Trump to any criminal conduct. On the contrary, records show Trump assisted prosecutors in the original 2009 case against Epstein and was one of the few high-profile figures who refused to associate with him once allegations surfaced.

Critics say Stansbury’s latest claims are just another desperate attempt to revive long-debunked conspiracy theories to distract from her party’s failures. “This is what happens when Democrats have no record to run on,” one GOP strategist noted. “They invent stories about Trump to keep their base angry.”

The facts remain clear: Trump cut ties with Epstein nearly two decades ago, cooperated with investigators, and has never been accused — let alone charged — with any wrongdoing related to Epstein. Stansbury’s comments are nothing more than the latest chapter in the left’s endless obsession with manufacturing scandals where none exist.

Stansbury melts down on TMZ with bonkers Trump–Epstein theory Read More »

Legislature passes bill to fund SNAP as Heinrich, Luján remain hostage-takers

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Lawmakers reconvened at the Capitol for a one-day special session this week to address concerns stemming from the ongoing federal government shutdown led by the Democrats. The Legislature passed House Bill 1 on Friday—a $120 million spending package aimed at protecting vulnerable New Mexicans from the fallout of lost federal support, including the lapse in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The acting-governor, Lt. Gov. Howie Morales, signed the bill into law shortly after its final passage.

The legislation’s largest provision is a $100 million appropriation to the New Mexico Health Care Authority to provide temporary, state-funded food assistance in the event that federal SNAP benefits remain unavailable. The bill authorizes weekly payments of $20 million, which can only be disbursed if federal benefits are not received. Any unused funds will revert to the state’s general fund.

The move follows weeks of uncertainty surrounding federal benefits as partisan gridlock in Washington delayed resolution. Critics of the shutdown have pointed to Democrat Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján for refusing to support proposals that would have reopened the federal government without conditions. The shutdown is now nearly over, following eight Democrat senators, not including New Mexico’s, who have finally agreed to stop punishing the American people.

Lawmakers in Santa Fe have called the special session an unfortunate response to Washington’s dysfunction.

Beyond the SNAP-related spending, HB 1 includes an appropriation of $100,000 for courthouse security upgrades and sweeps over $162 million in unspent or reverted funds from multiple state agencies, including:

  • $89.7 million from the Medical Assistance Program within the Human Services Department
  • $21.1 million from the Department of Health’s developmental disabilities programs
  • $13.2 million from the Department of Finance and Administration
  • $3.8 million from the Department of Transportation

Of these funds, $30 million will be transferred to the Appropriation Contingency Fund, with a provision allowing additional amounts to be redirected to the Medicaid Trust Fund if revenue triggers are met in early 2026. For the bill to take effect with haste, it must deal with all three branches of government, which the funding bill in question does. 

The bill also grants the governor temporary authority to transfer up to $60 million from reserve funds if the state’s FY25 recurring revenue falls short. However, such transfers must be reported to the Legislative Finance Committee.

The governor is currently traveling abroad and is expected to return by November 18. Until then, the Health Care Authority will be responsible for monitoring federal benefit availability and implementing the temporary state-funded SNAP payments as needed.

Republicans successfully added an amendment to the bill in the House Appropriations Committee to do a study of the SNAP program, which could find fraud, waste, and abuse. However, because of the legislation’s fiscal irresponsibility, many Republicans voted against the measure.

Legislature passes bill to fund SNAP as Heinrich, Luján remain hostage-takers Read More »

Aztec lawmaker Steve Lanier seeks to end Dems’ hold on NM governor’s office

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Republican state Sen. Steve Lanier of Aztec has officially entered the 2026 race for New Mexico governor, joining what is shaping up to be a competitive GOP primary field.

Lanier, who represents Senate District 2 in the Four Corners region, announced his candidacy Thursday, promising to restore accountability and deliver what he described as “real, servant leadership” for the state. His entry comes as Republicans aim to reclaim the Governor’s Office after nearly a decade of Democratic control under Michelle Lujan Grisham.

“As someone who has spent my life serving this community — in the classroom, on the field, and now in the legislature — I know what makes New Mexico special,” Lanier said in a prepared statement. “Our state deserves leadership that listens, works hard, and puts people first.”

Before his election to the state Senate in 2024, Lanier spent nearly three decades as a teacher and football coach at Aztec High School. A graduate of Western New Mexico University, he later served on the San Juan County Commission from 2020 to 2022 before moving on to the Legislature. His campaign, according to a news release, “aims to rebuild trust in government, support rural communities, enhance education, and develop safe, prosperous neighborhoods throughout New Mexico.”

Lanier’s deep ties to the region and background in public service are expected to be central themes of his campaign. He has built a reputation as a pragmatic conservative who emphasizes traditional values, fiscal responsibility, and respect for local control—issues that often resonate with rural voters across the state.

The Republican field also includes Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull, who announced his campaign earlier this year and has already begun fundraising. Hull, the city’s longest-serving mayor, is emphasizing economic growth and public safety as key planks in his platform. According to state campaign finance records, Hull is currently the only GOP contender actively raising money. Three other Republicans have filed initial paperwork with the Secretary of State’s Office.

On the Democratic side, several high-profile figures are vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Lujan Grisham. They include U.S. Interior Secretary and former Congresswoman Deb Haaland, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, and longtime Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.

Although Democrats maintain a roughly 130,000-voter registration advantage and hold all statewide offices, Republicans remain hopeful they can capitalize on national momentum and President Donald Trump’s 2024 performance in New Mexico, when he came within six points of winning the state — the best showing for a GOP presidential candidate since George W. Bush narrowly carried it in 2004.

The primary elections for both parties will take place in June 2026, setting the stage for a potentially high-stakes general election in November. Whoever emerges victorious will inherit a state facing challenges ranging from crime and education to economic development and energy policy — issues likely to dominate the campaign trail in the months ahead.

Lanier’s campaign announcement marks a renewed Republican effort to present a united front behind candidates who can appeal to voters across party lines and offer an alternative to years of Democratic rule in Santa Fe.

Aztec lawmaker Steve Lanier seeks to end Dems’ hold on NM governor’s office Read More »

What to know about Mon. special session as Luján, Heinrich refuse to reopen gov’t

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The New Mexico Legislature will return to Santa Fe on Monday, November 10, for a one-day special session called by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to continue emergency food assistance for roughly 460,000 New Mexicans receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, which the ongoing federal government shutdown has disrupted.

The shutdown — now the longest in U.S. history — stems from Democrats in Washington refusing to pass government-funding legislation unless it includes an extension of COVID-era health insurance subsidies to large health insurance companies and the wealthy. As a result, key federal programs, including SNAP, have been halted, leaving millions of Americans uncertain about costs.

What Lawmakers Will Address

According to information circulating in Santa Fe, the legislation expected to be considered on Monday would authorize up to $20 million per week from the state’s general fund operating reserve to continue food assistance until the federal government resumes funding or until mid-January 2026. The measure also includes reverting unused balances from prior state health programs to the general fund and small appropriations for legislative expenses and court security upgrades.

The proposal follows the governor’s earlier decision to release $30 million in emergency funds in early November to provide temporary state-funded SNAP benefits. Those funds are expected to run out by Monday.

While the governor and Democrat leaders have characterized the session as a humanitarian necessity, Republican lawmakers argue that the crisis is entirely avoidable — and caused by Washington Democrats themselves.

GOP Leaders: “Democrats Are Holding Families Hostage”

House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong (R-Magdalena) blasted the governor’s decision to call another special session, saying it is the direct result of the federal inaction of New Mexico’s Democrat U.S. Senators.

“We are being called into another special session because Senators Luján and Heinrich are refusing to fund SNAP benefits for the neediest New Mexicans,” said Armstrong. “I would much prefer the Governor use her authority and influence to urge our Senate delegation to end this crisis by voting to reopen the federal government. Instead, they are holding vulnerable New Mexicans hostage for political leverage. The people of this state deserve more than the costly and dangerous political games Senators Luján and Heinrich continue to play.”

Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) echoed that sentiment, placing full responsibility on New Mexico’s Democrat delegation in Washington.

“Ben Ray Luján and Martin Heinrich have made it crystal clear: They don’t care about you,” Sharer said. “They have prioritized party politics over serving their constituents back home. Senators Luján and Heinrich have set a new low by holding the hard-working people of New Mexico hostage as political pawns for their partisan theatrics, forcing state lawmakers to shoulder the cost so that vulnerable New Mexicans can put food on their tables for the holidays.”

Sharer added that without the state’s oil and gas industry — which generates the revenue for New Mexico’s operating reserves — the state would have no means to cover this lapse in federal funding. “We should all be grateful for our state’s oil & gas industries; without the revenues they generate, New Mexico would not even have the funds available to cover this lapse,” he said.

A Question of Fiscal Responsibility

Fiscal conservatives have warned that while the state can temporarily sustain food assistance, relying on emergency reserves to backfill federal programs is unsustainable. “Temporary state intervention is understandable, but it cannot become a habit,” one legislative analyst said. “New Mexico should not be forced to pay for Washington’s failures.”

The special session, expected to last one day, will convene at noon Monday at the State Capitol. Acting Gov. Howie Morales will preside while Gov. Lujan Grisham attends the United Nations climate conference in Brazil.

While lawmakers across party lines agree that no family should go hungry, the broader debate remains clear: whether Santa Fe should continue to patch over a crisis created by what Republicans call “the Democrat shutdown” — or demand accountability from Washington to reopen the government and restore fiscal order.

What to know about Mon. special session as Luján, Heinrich refuse to reopen gov’t Read More »

President Trump nominates Fmr. NM Congressman Pearce to lead BLM

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

President Donald Trump has nominated Republican former New Mexico Congressman Steve Pearce to serve as director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the federal agency that oversees more than 245 million acres of public lands across the country, including millions in New Mexico. 

Pearce, a longtime conservative and former state Republican Party chairman, would take over an agency that manages nearly half of all federal lands in New Mexico and a significant portion of the state’s oil and natural gas production.

Pearce’s nomination comes months after Trump’s first choice, Kathleen Sgamma, withdrew her name from consideration following controversy over past remarks about the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Trump’s pick of Pearce, a Hobbs native who represented New Mexico’s Second Congressional District from 2003 to 2009 and again from 2011 to 2019, signals an effort to install a seasoned Western lawmaker who has long championed energy development and rural industries. 

As a member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, Pearce helped oversee BLM activities. He often criticized what he saw as federal overreach on land and energy policies that, he argued, hurt working families and small businesses in his state.

Supporters of the nomination applauded the move. Wyoming Republican Sen. Cynthia Lummis called Pearce’s selection “a major win for the West,” adding, “Steve’s leadership will be invaluable in managing our public lands and wisely stewarding our resources.” The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association also issued a statement supporting Pearce, noting his familiarity with the challenges facing Western ranchers and landowners. “Having represented New Mexico, former Rep. Steve Pearce understands the important role that public lands play across the West,” the group said.

Environmental organizations quickly denounced the appointment. The Denver-based Center for Western Priorities said Pearce “has spent his entire political career blocking Americans’ access to public lands while giving the oil and gas industry free rein to drill and frack anywhere they wanted.” 

Conservationists also cited Pearce’s long-standing opposition to the creation of the Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument near Las Cruces, which was established in 2014 under President Barack Obama despite Pearce’s objections. During his time in Congress, Pearce argued that such designations hindered economic growth and local control, a position that drew sharp criticism from environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers.

New Mexico’s Democratic senators, Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, expressed skepticism about the nomination. Luján said he had “serious concerns that Mr. Pearce would serve only to advance President Trump’s agenda and roll back the progress we’ve fought to achieve — from strengthening our outdoor recreation economy to protecting our lands and environment.” 

Heinrich said he would review the nomination carefully but warned that “we need a person in this position who will be a good steward of our public lands for all of us, not divvy them out as political favors.”

The BLM plays an especially influential role in New Mexico, managing about 13.5 million acres—roughly 17 percent of the state’s total land area—and overseeing major oil and gas operations that provide a significant share of the state’s revenue. 

Royalties from federal production have fueled New Mexico’s budget surplus and helped grow the state’s Early Childhood Trust Fund, which now exceeds $10 billion. Pearce, who previously owned an oilfield services company, has long advocated for expanding domestic energy production and reducing federal restrictions on development.

The 78-year-old Pearce has been a fixture in New Mexico politics for decades. In addition to his years in Congress, he served in the state House of Representatives in the 1990s and led the state Republican Party for six years until stepping down last year. Pearce ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 2008 against Democrat Tom Udall and for governor in 2018 against Michelle Lujan Grisham. 

His nomination to the BLM post will now go before the U.S. Senate for confirmation, though the ongoing federal government shutdown could delay a vote. If confirmed, Pearce would replace outgoing director Tracy Stone-Manning and would become one of the most influential figures shaping federal land policy in the American West.

President Trump nominates Fmr. NM Congressman Pearce to lead BLM Read More »

Disgraced ex-WNMU prez accuses top Dems of racketeering, political payback

10 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A newly filed whistleblower and racketeering lawsuit from disgraced former Western New Mexico University (WNMU) President Dr. Joseph Shepard has exploded into one of the most serious allegations of political retaliation and corruption in recent New Mexico history. The 75-page complaint, filed in Grant County District Court, names as defendants WNMU, Senate Finance Chairman George Muñoz, former State Senator Siah Correa Hemphill, Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, State Auditor Joseph Maestas, and WNMU Board of Regents Vice Chair John Wertheim.

Shepard’s lawsuit claims he became the target of a coordinated campaign to destroy his career and reputation after he exposed what he describes as a fraudulent $1 million legislative appropriation involving Sen. Correa Hemphill and Sen. Muñoz. The appropriation allegedly funneled taxpayer dollars through WNMU to the Aldo Leopold Charter School, where Correa Hemphill’s children attended. Shepard alleges the money was laundered to benefit the senator and her husband, Jay Hemphill, a WNMU photographer, and that another $250,000 was steered to the university’s Mimbres Press to publish a photography book by her husband.

According to the complaint, when Shepard raised concerns about the scheme in 2023, Sen. Muñoz threatened him directly, saying he would “use all of his powers as Chair of the Finance Committee” to conduct an audit and “make life difficult for Shepard”. Shortly afterward, the Office of the State Auditor launched multiple investigations into WNMU, aided by the State Ethics Commission and the Higher Education Department. Shepard claims these probes were politically motivated efforts to discredit him after he reported the alleged corruption to state officials, including Attorney General Raúl Torrez.

The lawsuit also implicates powerful Democratic figures in a broader retaliatory conspiracy. Shepard alleges that Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, a political ally of Correa Hemphill, helped coordinate a smear campaign through media contacts, while Auditor Maestas abused his office to “weaponize” investigations against him. The filing accuses WNMU Regent John Wertheim—a former state Democratic Party chairman and ally of Sen. Muñoz—of colluding with newly appointed Regents to invalidate Shepard’s separation agreement and faculty contract in violation of the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Shepard’s court filing portrays a pattern of political vengeance and state overreach, calling the affair “a roadmap to what transpires if you are deemed a threat to power.” It draws parallels to the political retaliation faced by his wife, former CIA operative Valerie Plame, after her identity was exposed during the Iraq War scandal.

The former university president argues he was unlawfully terminated in July 2025, seven months after a previously approved settlement with the university. He claims the retaliation escalated even after an independent forensic audit cleared him of any wrongdoing—finding no fraud, misuse of funds, or personal enrichment.

Shepard’s complaint seeks damages for retaliation, defamation, and violations under New Mexico’s Whistleblower Protection Act and the state’s RICO statute, asserting that public officials used “the power and unlimited resources of the State to destroy a citizen and his reputation.”

“This case is about principle,” the lawsuit declares. “It brings to light the pervasive corruption in the state of New Mexico that keeps it mired at the bottom of nearly every national ranking of value.”

“As a state senator whose district includes Western New Mexico University, it was my job to ensure transparency and accountability, and that includes asking why Dr. Shepherd was spending public money for first class travel and expensive furniture,” Correa Hemphill told the Albuquerque Journal. “It is disheartening that, out of his position as president, Dr. Shepherd is misrepresenting facts in a lawsuit to attack my credibility. The truth is that his claims are based on legislative funding that he asked for himself, and I trust the court system to set this straight.

“For now, though, I invite the community and media to help ensure that the facts are presented accurately. We all share a common goal of strengthening WNMU and the community.”

The explosive allegations are likely to send shockwaves through state government, potentially implicating top legislators and officials in what Shepard’s attorneys describe as an “orchestrated campaign of retaliation and cover-up.”

Read the full lawsuit for yourself here:

Whistleblower-and-RICO-complaint-ShepardDownload

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Lame-duck Lujan Grisham jets to Brazil—Leaving NM behind (again)

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Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is once again heading overseas—this time to Brazil—for a United Nations climate conference, extending a well-documented pattern of globe-trotting that has characterized much of her tenure. The Democrat, who is now entering her final year in office and is barred by term limits from running again, has made international travel something of a hallmark during her two terms, earning praise from environmental allies and criticism from those who see her as more focused on international photo ops than the needs of New Mexicans.

According to her office, the governor departed the state on Saturday to participate in a two-week U.N. climate change conference in Belém, Brazil, where she will also speak at several panels in Rio de Janeiro before the official start of the summit. She is traveling without any Cabinet secretaries, though her deputy chief of operations, Caroline Buerkle, is accompanying her. Her travel costs are being covered not by taxpayers but by Bloomberg Philanthropies, founded by billionaire Michael Bloomberg. While Lt. Gov. Howie Morales temporarily serves as acting governor, Lujan Grisham will remain out of state until mid-November.

The Brazil trip is only the latest in a string of overseas journeys that critics say highlight the governor’s penchant for luxury travel at a time when many New Mexicans are struggling with high costs and economic stagnation. In recent years, Lujan Grisham has jetted across the world to attend climate summits and trade missions, building what some have called a “jet-setting legacy” as she approaches the end of her administration. She has previously traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, for the COP26 climate conference in 2021, where she proclaimed, “I am so proud of the work we have done in under three years, but I know that we—as a state, as a nation, as a planet—must go further by pursuing bold, equitable, and just climate solutions.” That appearance marked her debut on the international climate stage, where she began branding herself as a global climate leader.

She followed up that appearance with trips to Egypt in 2022 for the next U.N. climate conference and to Dubai in 2023 for another round of talks, continuing to burnish her image abroad while leaving many in New Mexico wondering what tangible benefits such travel has brought to the state. In May 2024, she led a delegation to Rotterdam, Netherlands, promoting hydrogen production and claiming the trip would “sell New Mexico as a dynamic and thriving place for hydrogen industry investment.” That fall, she crossed the Pacific to Australia to attend the Asia-Pacific Hydrogen Summit, again touting the state’s energy transition goals.

Earlier this year, she embarked on yet another trade mission—this time to Singapore and Japan—where she met with business leaders and foreign dignitaries, including Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, to discuss advanced manufacturing and clean energy partnerships. Her office emphasized that this trip was financed by a private economic development group, but it did little to quell criticism over her constant absences. As one media report bluntly put it, the governor “has spent more time outside the state than in New Mexico over the past five weeks.”

In addition to her foreign excursions, Lujan Grisham has made frequent visits to Washington, D.C., often appearing at National Governors Association events, White House meetings, and national panels on climate and energy policy. Her D.C. appearances have been frequent enough to draw scrutiny from local observers, who argue that her increasing national profile has come at the expense of hands-on leadership at home.

The governor’s office defends the travel as part of a broader effort to bring investment to New Mexico, particularly in renewable energy. However, her international agenda stands in stark contrast with her pragmatic posture toward the state’s oil and gas industry, which remains one of the largest in the country. She has described her approach as “balanced” and “pragmatic,” acknowledging in a September press conference that “someone is going to sue us on either side of this equation.” Despite such rhetoric, her administration faces lawsuits from both environmentalists who say she hasn’t gone far enough to protect residents from pollution and energy advocates who say she has strangled development with regulation.

For many New Mexicans, though, the central issue is less about her climate record than her visibility. From Scotland to Egypt, Dubai to Rotterdam, and Singapore to Japan, the governor has amassed an impressive collection of stamps in her passport—yet the tangible results for New Mexico remain murky. Her defenders point to international recognition and new business ties; her critics see a lame-duck governor more concerned with her global reputation than the realities of a struggling state.

As she attends yet another United Nations conference this month in Brazil—her fifth international climate summit since 2021—New Mexicans are left to question whether these trips are truly about advancing the state’s interests or polishing her personal legacy on the world stage. Either way, the image is clear: while New Mexico grapples with rising crime, lagging education, and persistent poverty, its outgoing governor is spending her final year not in Santa Fe, but jetting across the globe.

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