Politics

Fred Ponzlov, a self-described “progressive” candidate for New Mexico House District 22, is drawing attention for his controversial behavior and accusations of violating campaign regulations. Running against incumbent Rep. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park), who was first elected in 2020, Ponzlov has been involved in multiple confrontations that have raised concerns among veterans and community members.

In a video from a July 26 event in Estancia, Ponzlov is seen shouting “You’re lying!” repeatedly at veterans who confronted him over previous disparaging comments he allegedly made about the military. The heated exchange, which has been widely shared online, took place at the “Old Timers” event and has led to renewed criticism of the candidate’s behavior.

The confrontation followed an earlier incident on April 4 at a Cedar Crest car show, where witnesses claim Ponzlov called a Vietnam War veteran a “communist” and a “baby killer.” Despite his repeated denials of these accusations on social media, several veterans who were present at the event insist that Ponzlov’s conduct was inappropriate. In response, Ponzlov took to NextDoor to label these veterans as “Proud Boys,” attempting to discredit their accounts of the incident.

Jerry Vallejos, the organizer of the East Mountain car show, corroborated parts of the story in a June 19 post, stating that Ponzlov was asked to leave after being “rude” to attendees and making derogatory comments. Vallejos confirmed that political campaigning is prohibited at the car show and suggested that Ponzlov refrain from attending future events if he cannot abide by the rules. Ponzlov’s response, however, was defiant, once again referring to the veterans as “Proud Boys” and claiming they fabricated the entire incident.

In a subsequent post, Ponzlov admitted to losing his temper during the July event in Estancia, writing, “I got very irritated and screamed at them that they were all lying.” He went on to allege that Rep. Lord had a police officer on hand to arrest him and accused her of orchestrating the encounter, saying, “I wonder how much she paid the policeman,” insinuating a conspiracy.

Ponzlov’s comments have continued to spark backlash, with some questioning his credibility as a candidate who can represent all constituents if he can’t even string together basic facts about alleged incidents where he is said to disparage veterans. 

In a further attempt to defend his actions, Ponzlov claimed he spent much of the 1960s and 1970s protesting the Vietnam War, which some see as contradicting his attacks on the veterans.

Additionally, Ponzlov has faced criticism for his inflammatory social media posts. He recently shared a meme suggesting that 45th President Donald Trump should be “crucified and wait three days,” a comment that has been interpreted as a call for violence and has only added to the controversies surrounding his campaign, including the multiple attempts made on the 45th President’s life.

Further complicating his candidacy, Ponzlov appears to have violated the New Mexico Campaign Reporting Act by not properly disclosing who funded his campaign signs, which are displayed throughout District 22. 

Under New Mexico law, all campaign materials must include a “paid for by” statement that clearly identifies the sponsoring committee or organization. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to fines and penalties for the campaign.

The Piñon Post has learned that a formal complaint by a New Mexico House District 22 resident has been filed and is pending before the New Mexico Ethics Commission.

With Election Day approaching, Rep. Stefani Lord and independent candidate Zach Withers—who has his own legal troubles—are now contending with a divisive race marked by accusations, legal disputes, and heightened tensions among community members. 

As the campaign unfolds, Ponzlov’s past behavior and compliance issues could play a critical role in determining the outcome of this contentious election.