Politics

DC consultants cash in as Haaland’s campaign bleeds millions

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland is making national headlines again — not for policy success, but for unprecedented campaign spending. According to reporting by the Santa Fe New Mexican, Haaland has already raised a jaw-dropping $6.9 million since February in her bid to become New Mexico’s next governor. Most of that money, however, is coming from far outside the state — and a shocking 60 percent of it has already been spent.

Haaland’s campaign finance report shows she has just $2.8 million left in the bank. Critics say she’s burning through donor cash at a reckless pace. Nearly $2.1 million has gone to a D.C.-based outfit called Middle Seat, a “progressive” digital consulting firm known for its work with far-left groups such as Justice Democrats.

A Haaland campaign spokeswoman, Hannah Menchhoff, told the New Mexican the campaign was focusing on “a massive people-powered fundraising program” so Haaland could spend “more time meeting with everyday New Mexicans.” Yet, even her own filings show just 16 percent — barely one in six — of her 129,830 donations came from inside the state.

Political analyst Brian Sanderoff told the New Mexican that Haaland’s heavy spending to build a national donor base is “an initial investment” to “cast a wide net.” But that “investment” appears to come with waste, bloated overhead, and growing questions about how much of the cash actually reaches New Mexico communities rather than Washington consultants.

While Haaland touts herself as a “grassroots” candidate, the numbers tell a different story. Her campaign resembles a national progressive movement built on small donations from liberal enclaves — not from New Mexicans who will actually live under her policies.

Her Democrat rivals are not much better. Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, long tied to party insiders, has raised nearly $2.5 million, mostly from high-dollar donors. Roughly 80 percent of Bregman’s contributors are in-state, but he too faces criticism for “big overhead,” as fellow Democrat Ken Miyagishima told the New Mexican.

Miyagishima, the former Las Cruces mayor and third Democratic contender, admitted to loaning $50,000 to his own campaign and questioned his opponents’ financial stewardship. “Yes, Deb has raised a lot of money … but spent almost $4 million,” he said. “I don’t know on what. It sure looks like it’s … spending money to raise money.”

Despite her self-styled image as a champion of the working class, Haaland’s campaign looks more like a cash-fueled vanity project financed by progressive activists and billionaires like Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who cut the maximum $12,400 check for both the primary and general election.

Even as Haaland clings to the mantle of the potential “first Native American governor,” her campaign’s extravagance raises real doubts about judgment and priorities. With massive D.C. contracts, questionable staff payments — including $50,000 to her former campaign manager Scott Forrester months after he left — and millions drained before a single vote is cast, her “historic” run is starting to look more like another example of Democratic excess and insider enrichment.

DC consultants cash in as Haaland’s campaign bleeds millions Read More »

Vasquez admits Dems ‘leveraging’ New Mexicans’ shutdown pain for political gain

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico Democrat Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) is facing growing backlash after admitting during a Tuesday town hall that Democrats are using the federal government shutdown as “leverage” in Washington — a remark critics call tone-deaf amid mounting financial pain for American families and unpaid federal workers.

Vasquez has previously stated that the ongoing shutdown “will harm millions of Americans” and listed potential consequences in his New Mexico district: “over 22,000 federal employees and an additional 22,000 active duty and reserve personnel … will be furloughed or forced to work without pay.”

“Even though we are in the minority in both the House and the Senate, it does require 60 votes in the Senate… without that leverage… the minority party would be stuck in the mud,” Vasquez said during the live event. The clip was posted online by multiple outlets, including the RNC Research account on X.

The shutdown has halted pay for TSA officers, Border Patrol agents, and other federal employees across New Mexico, while programs like SNAP (food assistance) and WIC face funding disruptions beginning on November 1. Vasquez nevertheless stood by his party’s tactics, echoing comments from House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), who earlier conceded, “Of course there will be families that are going to suffer… but it is one of the few leverage times we have.”

Following the backlash, Vasquez attempted to reframe the event in a post on X that blocked replies from the public, writing: “Thank you to the 12,000+ New Mexicans who tuned into my tele-town hall on Tuesday. I work for you, and I’ll always make sure your voice is heard in Washington, regardless of who you voted for.” Critics quickly noted the irony of disabling comments while claiming to listen to constituents.

Vasquez, who narrowly won his seat in 2022, has earned a reputation as one of the most left-wing members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation. Since taking office, he has repeatedly sided with progressive leadership, opposing pro-domestic energy measures and supporting expansive environmental and immigration policies that have drawn ire in his oil-producing, working-class district.

According to the American Energy Alliance, Vasquez has voted against bills that would increase domestic oil and gas production and reduce reliance on foreign energy. He has backed legislation aligned with the Green New Deal framework and previously joined activists calling for stricter environmental regulations — positions that clash with the needs of the Permian Basin communities he represents.

Heritage Action’s legislative scorecard lists Vasquez’s pro-energy rating at just 11 percent, placing him among the most anti-development members of Congress. This comes as New Mexico’s Second District is one of the largest oil producers in the country. 

Political observers say Vasquez’s “leverage” remark may become a defining issue as he faces a difficult re-election campaign in 2026. Republicans have already signaled plans to highlight the comment in ads across southern New Mexico, portraying him as part of a Democratic establishment willing to use Americans’ financial suffering for political gain.

With thousands of New Mexicans missing paychecks and the state’s energy industry struggling under heavy regulation, Vasquez’s words are likely to deepen the perception that he is more aligned with Washington progressives than the people he represents.

Vasquez admits Dems ‘leveraging’ New Mexicans’ shutdown pain for political gain Read More »

From ‘climate’ crusader to gas saleswoman: MLG’s latest energy pivot

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham hosted Japan’s ambassador to the United States in her Capitol office Monday to tout what she called a “roadmap” for exporting Rocky Mountain natural gas to Asian markets — an ironic move from a governor whose own environmental policies have constrained New Mexico’s oil and gas industry.

Ambassador Shigeo Yamada joined Lujan Grisham, Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon, and energy executives to discuss a plan crafted by the Western States and Tribal Nations Energy Initiative. The report outlines two potential routes for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) — one through the Pacific Northwest and another through Mexico — that could connect the energy-rich Rocky Mountain region to buyers in Japan and other Asian nations.

The “roadmap,” as described on Monday, is not tied to any formal contracts or infrastructure commitments. But advocates say it provides a framework to finally capitalize on the vast natural gas reserves across New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming.

“This collective is a representation of those commitments to New Mexicans, to the people living in Wyoming, the people living in Japan, the people all across the globe,” Lujan Grisham said. “These are jobs and real opportunities while we’re solving real challenges.”

The governor framed the proposal as part of a broader transition away from what she called “carbon-heavy” industries — even though oil and gas remain among New Mexico’s top revenue sources. Her administration’s Energy Transition Act, championed in 2019, imposed some of the nation’s most aggressive renewable energy mandates, raising costs and uncertainty for traditional producers.

Still, Monday’s event reflected the state’s continued dependence on fossil fuels, particularly as Japan looks to secure long-term energy supply lines following a $7-billion-a-year deal with the U.S.

“Importing natural gas from Rocky Mountain states is one of the options we will have on the table,” Ambassador Yamada said.

Lujan Grisham touted the partnership as “the fruits of our trip” to Japan and Singapore earlier this year, when she and state officials met with Asian leaders to promote energy and technology collaboration. She thanked the ambassador for “helping us navigate opportunities between our two countries and by highlighting and learning more about what the Western states have to offer.”

Gordon, a Republican, said politics should not stand in the way of good business. “I hate to say ‘bipartisan,’” he remarked. “This is just good business.”

According to Jason Sandel, chairman of the Western States and Tribal Nations Initiative, Asian demand for liquefied natural gas is expected to double by 2025. He said Rocky Mountain gas could help reduce the continent’s carbon footprint by as much as 40 percent if new export infrastructure is built.

The report identifies seven key gas basins in the region, including New Mexico’s San Juan Basin. It also acknowledges that current production costs in the Rockies make the gas less competitive globally — a problem that could only be solved through “new large-scale infrastructure” and overcoming “difficult geography with mountainous terrain.”

Despite those challenges, the potential upside is considerable. The plan envisions cleaner energy for Western data centers and Asian markets, while avoiding the risks and costs of shipping through the Panama Canal or the Gulf of America.

Lujan Grisham said New Mexico has “nearly unlimited gas reserves” — about 277 trillion cubic feet — and described the report as a major step toward making the state a player in global LNG markets. “That’s a very powerful representation about what we can provide with growing energy demands in this country and frankly beyond,” she said.

However, critics note that Lujan Grisham’s own record on energy regulation could make such ambitions difficult to realize. Her administration’s climate policies — from methane restrictions to renewable mandates — have been viewed by many in the industry as hostile to the very infrastructure she now touts.

The event also included the announcement of a partnership between New Mexico State University and Japanese technology firm Fujitsu to collaborate on computer chip production — another product of Lujan Grisham’s Asia trip.

For now, though, the governor conceded that no concrete plan exists to move Rocky Mountain gas overseas. “There’s still a long way to go,” she said.

From ‘climate’ crusader to gas saleswoman: MLG’s latest energy pivot Read More »

Polls tank, donors panic: Dem lieutenant governor candidate’s bid implodes

9 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Outgoing far-left Democrat New Mexico Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, known for her aggressive eco-left agenda and anti-industry policies, announced Thursday she is suspending her campaign for lieutenant governor — a move that comes as her political prospects appeared increasingly uncertain heading into the 2026 race.

Garcia Richard, a Democrat serving her second and final term as land commissioner, said she decided to pause her campaign after her husband, Eric Velasquez, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. While she cited his health as the reason for stepping aside, the decision comes amid poor polling numbers and waning enthusiasm for her bid.

“A statewide campaign and election is so grueling, so taxing, that we could not focus on both and do both justice,” Garcia Richard said. “We really had to prioritize Eric’s health, recuperation, recovery, and focus on that.”

The announcement followed a recent Blueprint Polling survey showing Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver — another far-left Democrat who is term-limited in her current post — with a commanding lead among likely Democratic voters. According to the poll, Toulouse Oliver is recognized by nearly three-quarters of primary voters, while Garcia Richard’s name ID hovers at just over one-third.

The same poll found State Sen. Harold Pope, D-Albuquerque, trailing even further behind, with only 21 percent of voters aware of who he is.

Garcia Richard insisted her decision had nothing to do with Toulouse Oliver’s likely candidacy, saying, “I need to do what’s best for my family.” Still, the timing and tone of her exit make clear that Garcia Richard’s campaign — despite early fundraising strength — was failing to gain traction beyond her small circle of progressive allies.

Known for her deep ties to radical environmental groups, Garcia Richard’s tenure as land commissioner has been defined by hostility toward New Mexico’s oil and gas producers — the very industries that fund the state’s public schools and infrastructure. She repeatedly clashed with the energy sector, pushing restrictive land-use regulations and aligning herself with national “climate justice” activists at the expense of working New Mexicans.

Even as she sought higher office, Garcia Richard’s record alienated many rural Democrats and independents who view her policies as out of touch with New Mexico’s economic reality.

While she raised roughly $165,000 over the last six months — far more than Pope or Toulouse Oliver — her campaign lacked grassroots enthusiasm. Her environmental extremism and reputation for political grandstanding had already sparked quiet concern among Democrats who feared she would struggle in a statewide general election.

In announcing her campaign pause, Garcia Richard described her husband’s illness as the “C word” and said her focus would shift to his recovery. “It was through much conversation, not just with each other but with supporters, with folks we trust, to come to this determination,” she said.

Still, Garcia Richard left the door open to restarting her campaign, saying she was merely “suspending” it, not ending it altogether.

“I use the word ‘suspend’ for a reason,” she said. “I don’t want to speculate what the future holds.”

Suppose Garcia Richard does attempt a political comeback. In that case, she will likely face skepticism not only from moderates but also from within her own party — many of whom see her as a divisive figure whose eco-radicalism has done lasting damage to New Mexico’s land and energy policy.

Polls tank, donors panic: Dem lieutenant governor candidate’s bid implodes Read More »

Former Congresswoman Herrell makes major endorsement for CD2 seat

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Former Republican Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, the last Republican elected to federal office in New Mexico, has endorsed Greg Cunningham, a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran and retired Albuquerque police detective, for Congress in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District — setting up what could become one of the most closely watched races in the nation.

Herrell, who represented the district from 2021 to 2023, called Cunningham a “rock-solid conservative” with the leadership, grit, and integrity to win back the seat currently held by far-left Democrat Gabe Vasquez, one of President Joe Biden’s most loyal allies in the House.

“Greg Cunningham is a decorated Marine Corps combat veteran who put his life on the line for our country and then served New Mexico on the streets of Albuquerque for over two decades as a police officer and detective,” Herrell said in a statement. “He is a rock-solid conservative who supports President Trump’s agenda, and I am extremely proud to endorse him for Congress in New Mexico’s Second District. I know Greg will serve our district with the same honor, determination, and integrity he has displayed throughout his life.”

Cunningham, who announced his campaign earlier this year, said he was “deeply honored” to have Herrell’s support. “Her historic victory in 2020 was an inspiration to all New Mexico conservatives, and she served our district superbly during her time in office,” Cunningham said. “I will strive to live up to the example set by Yvette and thank her for her endorsement and her ongoing service to our state and nation.”

Cunningham’s background reads like a blueprint for leadership. Born and raised in Albuquerque’s South Valley, he graduated from St. Mary’s and Menaul schools before attending the University of Albuquerque. After college, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, where he earned recognition as a Recon Marine and received the Combat Action Ribbon for his service during Operation Desert Storm. He also earned a Meritorious Mast Award for exceptional conduct in combat.

Following his military service, Cunningham spent more than two decades with the Albuquerque Police Department, where he worked in field services, special investigations, and narcotics enforcement. He was named Uniformed Officer of the Month and later Detective of the Month for his work with the DEA’s Special Investigations Division. He also served on the Region 1 Narcotics Task Force with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department.

After retiring from law enforcement, Cunningham launched a private security firm, using his expertise to protect New Mexico families and businesses. In recent election cycles, he ran for the New Mexico House of Representatives, outperforming top-of-the-ticket Republicans in both 2022 and 2024 — a sign of his strong appeal with grassroots conservatives.

Cunningham, who is married to his wife Jennifer and has six children and nine grandchildren, says he is running to restore integrity, secure the border, support law enforcement, and protect New Mexico’s conservative values.

If Cunningham wins the GOP primary, he will face incumbent Democrat Gabe Vasquez, a far-left progressive who has repeatedly voted in lockstep with the Biden administration on open-border policies, reckless spending, and radical energy restrictions that have harmed New Mexico’s oil and gas economy.

Republicans are eyeing NM-2 as a top pickup opportunity in 2026, and with Herrell’s early endorsement, Cunningham’s campaign is already gaining serious momentum among conservatives eager to flip the seat back red.

Former Congresswoman Herrell makes major endorsement for CD2 seat Read More »

Unhinged Dem candidate preaching ‘safe schools’ calls voter ‘MAGA f*ggot’

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A Democrat school board candidate in Roswell has ignited outrage after being caught calling a voter—and by extension, conservative residents—“MAGA f*ggots” while canvassing for votes.

The October 10 confrontation occurred when Sarah McArthur, a far-left candidate running for Roswell Municipal Schools Board District 1, visited the home of Tracy DeLaRosa, a local voter. According to DeLaRosa, McArthur approached her home while campaigning door-to-door when the conversation quickly turned political.

DeLaRosa said she asked McArthur whether she was affiliated with EMERGE, a Democrat-aligned group that recruits and trains far-left progressive women to run for office in New Mexico. McArthur confirmed she was, which prompted DeLaRosa to express her concerns about the organization’s radical positions.

According to DeLaRosa’s October 11 Facebook post, McArthur responded with a homophobic slur directed at Trump supporters and conservatives in Chaves County.

“Yesterday, school board district 1 candidate Sarah McArthur called her opponent (and the 72% of Chaves County voters who voted for Trump) ‘MAGA FAG*OTS,’” DeLaRosa wrote. “On my last post I was told by her to please not speak for her, so I’ll let her words speak for themselves. She said she’s glad it’s on camera.”

McArthur, who previously chaired the Chaves County Democratic Party, has been a longtime figure in progressive organizing in southeastern New Mexico. She also briefly ran for Roswell City Council District 2 before withdrawing her candidacy.

Her campaign website highlights a long list of leftist policy priorities under the guise of “academic freedom” and “inclusive learning.” Among her platform points are banning public funding for private education, promoting “secular” instruction free from religious influence, expanding on-campus mental health and social work programs, and mandating taxpayer investment in “environmentally sustainable” schools.

While McArthur claims she supports “safe and inclusive environments,” critics say her slur against Trump supporters exposes deep hypocrisy. Her remarks insult not only her opponent but the overwhelming majority of Chaves County voters—nearly three-fourths of whom supported Donald Trump in 2020.

McArthur’s political ties extend beyond Roswell. Her son, Dylan McArthur, serves as campaign manager for far-left Democrat Deb Haaland, who is now seeking the governorship of New Mexico. Haaland, currently U.S. Secretary of the Interior under Joe Biden, has been one of the most polarizing figures in the administration for her radical environmental and cultural policies.

Local residents and Republican leaders are calling McArthur’s behavior disgraceful and unbecoming of someone seeking to serve on a public school board. Several community members have said the incident demonstrates the growing hostility of progressive activists toward conservative parents and voters.

With early voting underway, the scandal has become a flashpoint in the Roswell school board race, raising questions about civility, professionalism, and whether radical partisanship has any place in local education.

Unhinged Dem candidate preaching ‘safe schools’ calls voter ‘MAGA f*ggot’ Read More »

Gaslighting Dems call 2-day spending spree ‘efficient’ as crises go unaddressed

7 Comments / Editorial, New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico House Democrat leadership is trying to rewrite history after last week’s chaotic and wasteful special legislative session, portraying their actions as “heroic” while ignoring the fact that no major crises were addressed — from the state’s broken child welfare system to its collapsing healthcare network.

In a weekend op-ed, Speaker Javier Martínez, Majority Leader Reena Szczepanski, Whip Dayan Hochman-Vigil, and Caucus Chair Raymundo Lara claimed that Democrats were “hard at work” protecting New Mexicans from federal funding cuts and “President Trump’s policies.” The four legislative leaders described the two-day session as “efficient” and focused on “urgent needs.”

But critics say that narrative is pure gaslighting.

Instead of tackling real emergencies such as CYFD reform, medical malpractice reform, physician licensure compacts, or the state’s failing education system, Democrats used the special session to funnel millions into partisan pet projects and left-wing political allies — including $3 million for Planned Parenthood and $6 million for so-called “independent” public broadcasting, better known as state-subsidized progressive propaganda.

The governor also rammed through a new vaccine mandate law empowering the Department of Health to impose shot requirements without federal oversight — a move that many parents call “non-scientific” and unconstitutional. 

Meanwhile, the same Democrats who failed to fix New Mexico’s doctor shortage are now patting themselves on the back for “protecting rural healthcare.” Their $50 million spending package does nothing to address the malpractice crisis or the licensing barriers driving doctors out of the state. Even Democratic Sen. Martin Hickey, a physician, admitted earlier this month that New Mexico is “the only state losing doctors.” Yet Democrats refused to even discuss joining interstate medical compacts — one of the few proven ways to attract providers.

The Democrats’ op-ed also bizarrely blames “D.C. Republicans” for supposed “healthcare cuts,” falsely claiming President Trump was responsible for ending temporary Biden-era tax credits from the pandemic. Those subsidies, enacted under the American Rescue Plan, were always designed to sunset — but now Democrats are pretending their expiration is a Republican plot to “strip healthcare.”

In reality, the so-called “healthcare fix” passed during the session simply props up Washington’s unsustainable COVID-era policies using hundreds of millions of New Mexico taxpayer dollars — a bailout that does nothing to reduce premiums long-term.

Even more absurdly, the Democrats celebrated $30 million in new “food assistance,” portraying it as a moral stand against “Trump’s tariffs” and “Republican cruelty,” despite inflation and food costs skyrocketing under the Biden administration.

Throughout the special session, no legislation was advanced to improve public safety, curb child abuse, or repair New Mexico’s disastrous education rankings — all issues Democrats have promised to prioritize for years.

What taxpayers got instead was a political stunt: millions spent on government media, partisan nonprofits, and special interest handouts — while the state’s hospitals, classrooms, and families continue to struggle.

The Democrats’ closing line — that they’ll “continue to protect New Mexicans from Washington’s messes” — might be the most ironic statement of all. After two days of spending taxpayer dollars on ideological pet projects while ignoring real crises, the only “mess” most New Mexicans see is right here in Santa Fe.

Gaslighting Dems call 2-day spending spree ‘efficient’ as crises go unaddressed Read More »

‘Can’t even get cement’: Contractors boycott MLG’s abortion center project

27 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s multimillion-dollar plan to construct new abortion facilities in New Mexico is reportedly hitting major roadblocks, with contractors across the state refusing to take part in the taxpayer-funded projects.

The Southwest Coalition for Life, a pro-life organization, says the governor’s controversial $10 million abortion and transgender “mega-center” planned for Las Cruces has stalled because local and regional subcontractors are declining to bid on the job, leaving the state scrambling to find anyone willing to pour the foundation.

“They can’t find anyone to build it,” State Sen. David Gallegos (R-Eunice) said during a webcast hosted by the Coalition this week. “They’re reaching out beyond the local area because they can’t find any subcontractors to do any of the work. Keep the prayers up—she will not stop—but you are the only ones standing in the gap to protect life.”

The Las Cruces facility is one of several publicly funded abortion projects pushed by the governor since the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. In 2023, Lujan Grisham persuaded the Democrat-controlled Legislature to appropriate $10 million for the southern New Mexico complex, to be operated in partnership with the University of New Mexico Health System. Earlier this year, lawmakers approved another $10 million for a second abortion facility in an undisclosed northern New Mexico location.

During the October 2025 special legislative session, the governor also forced through an additional $3 million for Planned Parenthood facilities across the state — a move that critics say deepens New Mexico’s status as one of the nation’s most permissive states for abortion.

But despite the massive state investment, the Las Cruces project has reportedly come to a standstill. Randy McMillan, a local businessman and Coalition supporter, said he personally contacted an El Paso-based contractor that was preparing to bid on the project and informed them about the facility’s purpose.

“When I told him what it really was — an abortion and transgender center that would perform late-term abortions — he was stunned,” McMillan said. “Within hours, he called me back and said, ‘Thank you for telling me the truth. We’re not going to bid it — and I’m calling all my subs to tell them not to bid it either.’”

Days later, McMillan said he received another call: “He said, ‘We did it. No one bid on the project. They can’t even get cement.’”

According to the Coalition, multiple suppliers have since refused to provide materials for the facility, bringing construction to a complete halt. “A multimillion-dollar state project has been stopped by the simple courage of truth and the power of prayer,” the group said.

The Southwest Coalition for Life called the situation a “miracle in motion,” crediting faith-based activism and community resistance for delaying the project. “Every day we delay construction is another day lives are saved,” the group wrote in its update.

Still, pro-life leaders warned that the governor remains determined to push forward and could soon attempt to bring in out-of-state contractors to complete the job. “The battle isn’t over,” said Gallegos. “But God is moving mountains in Las Cruces.”

‘Can’t even get cement’: Contractors boycott MLG’s abortion center project Read More »

Woke teachers union tries to kill family farm, instead exposes own rottenness

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The latest example of political “cancel culture” in New Mexico has backfired spectacularly after a left-wing teachers union and social-media agitators tried to destroy one of the state’s most beloved family-run attractions — McCall’s Pumpkin Patch in Moriarty.

The uproar began on Sept. 26, when Ellen Bernstein, president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation (ATF), sent an email to roughly two hundred union representatives accusing Torrance County Commissioner Kevin McCall, co-owner of the pumpkin patch, of supporting “inhumane ICE detention.” In her note, she darkly joked, “Beware of rotten pumpkins,” implying McCall’s was somehow affiliated with federal immigration enforcement.

Within hours, her inflammatory message ignited social-media hysteria, spawning false rumors that immigration agents were “hiding behind pumpkins” waiting to arrest families. The smear campaign snowballed into boycotts and threats aimed at a business that has operated for nearly three decades as one of New Mexico’s signature fall traditions.

Forced to defend his family and employees, McCall released a statement refuting the baseless claim:

“McCall’s Pumpkin Patch is in no way, shape, or form involved with ICE,” he said. “Our business has never communicated or worked with them in any capacity.”

At a Torrance County Commission meeting, McCall spoke briefly about the “rough 24 hours” his family endured while affirming that “all families — and I say all families — are welcome at McCall’s.”

Commission Chair Ryan Schwebach blasted the union’s falsehoods and the media frenzy that followed. “This is what happens when misleading information goes out damaging an individual,” he said. “We’re 50th in education, and I find it ironic that the union has the ability to throw these statements out to hamper economics, mislead students, to create fear.”

Republican lawmakers quickly rallied behind McCall. Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) denounced the attacks in a public statement and called on New Mexicans to support the local institution:

“Enough with the cancel culture nonsense! McCall’s Pumpkin Patch has been part of our community for decades, creating jobs, memories, and fall magic. Don’t let Ellen Bernstein, president of the Albuquerque Teachers Federation, and social-media liars and fearmongers impact a family-owned, community-first business,” Lord wrote. “This weekend: support real people who love New Mexico.”

Lord added pointedly that Bernstein should “do her job and focus on New Mexico’s schools, some of the worst in the nation, instead of trying to ruin local businesses.”

While Bernstein later tried to defend her actions as “social and political messaging,” critics say the episode exposes how far left-wing activists will go to weaponize identity politics and online mobs against ordinary New Mexicans. For decades, McCall’s Pumpkin Patch has employed local residents, hosted school field trips, and drawn thousands of families from across the state for hayrides, corn mazes, and wholesome fun — now suddenly under fire for the sin of being run by a Republican.

Despite the attempted boycott, the outpouring of community support has been overwhelming. Families are flocking to McCall’s in solidarity, posting messages with the hashtag #StandWithLocal and rejecting the politics of division. What began as a smear meant to destroy a family business has instead united New Mexicans around a simple truth: no one should fear picking pumpkins because of politics.

Woke teachers union tries to kill family farm, instead exposes own rottenness Read More »

‘Unprepared!’: MLG scolds her own party in angry vaccine signing message

21 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has signed into law one of the most controversial measures from last week’s special legislative session — a bill giving the New Mexico Department of Health unilateral authority over the state’s vaccination requirements for schoolchildren.

The measure, Senate Bill 3, was the final bill awaiting the governor’s signature from the special session she supposedly called to address federal budget cuts to pork, although none of the supposed funding lost under President Donald  Trump’s administration was addressed. 

Unlike the other four bills she signed last week, the governor held off on signing this one, ultimately approving it on Wednesday with a scathing message attacking both Republicans and members of her own party.

Because SB 3 failed to achieve a two-thirds majority vote in the House, it will not take effect until December 31, rather than immediately as Democrats had intended. The bill allows the Department of Health to determine which vaccines are required for children independently of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices — effectively centralizing vaccine authority in Santa Fe.

The measure was pitched as a response to what the governor’s administration described as “confusion” surrounding shifting CDC guidance on the latest COVID-19 boosters earlier this fall. But opponents warned it would strip away federal guardrails, politicize vaccine policy, and expand government power over parental and medical decisions.

In her signing message, Lujan Grisham lashed out at House Republicans for unanimously opposing the bill, accusing them of “placing the lives of thousands of New Mexicans at risk as we head into peak season for respiratory illnesses such as RSV, the flu, and COVID-19.” She also took the unusual step of publicly rebuking her own Democratic allies for not “defending the urgent need” for the legislation during floor debate.

“I am disappointed with the lack of procedural advocacy by my own party,” she wrote. “They appeared unprepared to defend the urgent need for SB 3.”

Critics say the governor’s rhetoric ignores deeper concerns about government overreach and parental rights. Republican lawmakers argued during the session that SB 3 was unnecessary and dangerous, particularly as trust in public health institutions continues to erode following years of pandemic mandates. They said the governor is attempting to consolidate health power under the state after years of mismanagement and inconsistent COVID-19 policies that devastated schools, families, and small businesses.

Activists across the state immediately reacted to the signing. Sarah Smith, a vocal critic of the measure, posted online shortly after the announcement:

“😳💉💉BREAKING — AS EXPECTED, GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM HAS SIGNED THE NEW VACCINE BILL INTO LAW. This means that vaccines are now mandated for babies and little kids who are in daycare or early childhood programs,” she wrote, warning that religious and medical exemptions “are still allowed, for now.”

Smith added that the law aligns New Mexico’s policy with the American Academy of Pediatrics, a group that has backed removing religious exemptions and expanding COVID-19 mandates for children. “We must stay vigilant,” she urged supporters, linking to an informational page on how to file exemptions and urging New Mexicans to organize for the 2025 session, when more vaccine-related proposals could surface.

Republicans say SB 3 represents another step in the governor’s long pattern of pushing top-down mandates without public input. After years of shuttered schools, forced masking, and business restrictions, they argue, New Mexico parents have had enough. 

‘Unprepared!’: MLG scolds her own party in angry vaccine signing message Read More »

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