Politics

KOAT 7 interview: Woman who has been on SNAP for three decades fumes

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

For Maggie Aragon, a New Mexico woman who’s relied on federal food assistance for more than 30 years, the moment her SNAP balance dropped to zero was life-altering, she says.

“When I heard, ‘Zero dollars,’ my chest went into my throat,” Aragon told KOAT 7 News, describing the fear and panic that set in when she discovered her benefits had been cut off due to the ongoing Democrat-led government shutdown. “It’s detrimental to my life.”

Aragon, who said she also depends on local food banks to survive, is one of tens of thousands of New Mexicans now facing uncertainty as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) runs out of funding. However, it shows the cracks in what is supposed to be a temporary system, letting people live off of SNAP for not just years, but decades. With New Mexico having the highest percentage of SNAP recipients in the nation, the effects of the shutdown are being felt most sharply here, making it a wake-up call.

According to federal data, Democrats, including U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, have voted at least 13 times against measures to reopen the government, keeping critical programs like SNAP and WIC unfunded for more than a month. The result has been a funding freeze, leaving millions of Americans — including 460,000 New Mexicans — with empty accounts.

While Democrats such as Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) have tried to deflect blame, the reality is that their votes to block short-term spending bills directly caused the freeze. SNAP funds were already strained after a 40% program expansion under Joe Biden, which ballooned costs to record levels.

Revelations of widespread fraud and abuse in the SNAP program have further inflamed the situation. In a stunning admission this week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins called for a complete overhaul of the EBT system following the exposure of massive corruption.

Federal investigators found:

  • A 40% surge in SNAP spending under the Biden administration.
  • Twenty-one Democrat-led states refusing to cooperate with federal data-sharing efforts designed to stop illegal immigrant access to benefits.
  • Thousands of fraudulent cases uncovered nationwide, including EBT cards used by deceased recipients.
  • Over 100 arrests tied to SNAP fraud rings exploiting the system.

Critics say the chaos underscores years of Democrat mismanagement and misplaced priorities. Instead of reforming a broken program and protecting taxpayer dollars, Democrats doubled down on waste and dependency — and now the poorest Americans are paying the price.

Even Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s measly $30 million state stopgap plan, announced last week, offers little relief — providing just around $65 per recipient.

As the shutdown enters its second month, Aragon’s story captures the human toll of Washington dysfunction: a government that has let a woman rely on federal aid for three decades — and then suddenly being cut off.

The growing scandal has reignited debate over both the future of SNAP and the political games that keep families trapped in dependency while fraudsters exploit the system. For now, as Democrats continue to block efforts to reopen the government, Aragon and millions of others are left staring at zero — and wondering next steps.

KOAT 7 interview: Woman who has been on SNAP for three decades fumes Read More »

Med school applicant with 99th percentile MCAT sues UNM for racist admissions

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A former top medical school applicant is suing the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, alleging the institution illegally rejected him on the basis of race in violation of federal civil rights laws.

In a federal complaint filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, Michael Jakiche claims the university’s admissions office discriminated against him despite his exceptional academic record and test scores. Jakiche says the school waitlisted him in 2024 even though his Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score was in the 99th percentile, placing him ahead of nearly all applicants.

According to the lawsuit, the Albuquerque-based medical school later rejected his reapplication in 2025, citing “individual qualities,” “experiences,” and “diversity” factors that supposedly outweighed his academic credentials. Jakiche, who is of Syrian descent, argues that these factors were a pretext for racial discrimination.

The lawsuit alleges UNM’s admissions process violates the 2023 Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action and race-based admissions practices in higher education. Jakiche’s legal team contends that the university continues to favor certain racial or ethnic groups over others despite the Court’s decision.

Included in the filing is correspondence from an associate dean who, when asked why Jakiche was not accepted, repeatedly referred to the school’s ongoing commitment to “diversity.” The complaint claims this admission is evidence that race played a role in the decision.

Jakiche, who graduated summa cum laude in biophysics from Arizona State University, is represented by attorneys from the Liberty Justice Center, a Texas-based legal nonprofit that frequently challenges what it views as unconstitutional race-conscious policies. The group announced the lawsuit Thursday.

“Universities have discriminated in admissions for so long, they apparently don’t know how to stop,” said Reilly Stephens, senior counsel for the Liberty Justice Center, in a statement. “Even after the Supreme Court finally made it clear that rigging the system for preferred demographic groups is illegal, it’s proving necessary to remind these institutions of their responsibilities again and again.”

The lawsuit seeks compensation for Jakiche’s application and legal expenses, as well as a court order requiring UNM to reconsider his application and cease using race in admissions decisions.

UNM spokesman Chris Ramirez rejected the allegations in a statement Thursday. “While The University of New Mexico generally does not comment on litigation, we can tell you that UNM follows all state and federal anti-discrimination laws,” he said. “In accordance with federal law, the UNM School of Medicine does not use race or gender as criteria for admission.”

The conservative medical advocacy group Do No Harm also weighed in, previously identifying the UNM School of Medicine as one of the nation’s five worst offenders for maintaining race-conscious policies despite the Supreme Court’s ruling.

“The UNM School of Medicine is an ultra-woke medical school where administrators fixate on identity box-checking and leftist social activism,” said Ian Kingsbury, the organization’s Center for Accountability in Medicine director. “It’s alarming but not surprising that their admissions process is alleged to run afoul of the Supreme Court’s decision to end racially conscious admissions policies.”

The case adds to a growing list of legal challenges testing whether universities are truly complying with the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling, as the broader debate over merit-based admissions versus diversity initiatives continues to divide academia.

Med school applicant with 99th percentile MCAT sues UNM for racist admissions Read More »

Vasquez, Dems shut down government, but he claims to ‘protect troops’ pay’

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As the federal government shutdown drags into its fifth week, vulnerable Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) is facing sharp criticism for what opponents call stunning hypocrisy — publicly demanding troop pay and food assistance even as he voted for the very shutdown that cut off those funds.

According to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC), Democrats have now voted 13 times against reopening the government, leaving programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) defunded. Funding for these programs is set to run out on November 1, potentially cutting off food aid to millions, including around 460,000 New Mexicans, the state with the highest percentage of SNAP recipients in the nation. However, New Mexico is one of the states with the highest SNAP fraud rates. 

In an October 8 press release, Vasquez attempted to distance himself from the consequences of his own vote by urging House Speaker Mike Johnson to “get Republicans back to Washington to vote to pay our servicemen and women.” He warned that “nearly three million military families will miss their next paycheck,” calling the situation “unacceptable.”

Yet, Vasquez conveniently omitted his role in voting to shut down the government — the very action that halted military pay and threatened benefits for service members and their families. “Our troops selflessly serve and defend our country every single day, and they deserve to be paid on time for their work,” Vasquez said. But critics note that his party’s refusal to fund the government is the reason paychecks stopped in the first place.

NRCC spokesman Reilly Richardson blasted Vasquez’s mixed messaging, saying, “Gabe Vasquez jeopardized critical food assistance for millions of New Mexicans so he could score political points with his radical base. Hardworking families know they can’t rely on Vasquez to fight for them in Washington.”

The contradiction goes further. In his press release, Vasquez boasted of “fighting for working-class Americans’ access to health care” and “supporting our troops.” But those very services have been disrupted under the month-long shutdown Democrats continue to defend.

Meanwhile, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced a $30 million state food-assistance package to temporarily “fill the gap” left by the frozen federal funds. However, the plan would amount to just $65.21 per SNAP recipient — hardly enough to offset the economic pain caused by Washington’s dysfunction. 

The NRCC argues that Vasquez’s push for letters, press releases, and symbolic legislation like the Pay Our Troops Act cannot hide the fact that his own vote forced troops to work without pay and put families at risk of hunger.

Even the nation’s labor unions — organizations that have always leaned left — are begging Democrats to reopen the government for the sake of workers. 

As the shutdown hits day 30, frustration is mounting across New Mexico — especially among military families stationed at White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. For them, Vasquez’s rhetoric rings hollow. He can issue as many press releases as he wants, but until Democrats end the blockade and vote to reopen the government, both troops and struggling families will continue paying the price for his party’s political games.

Vasquez, Dems shut down government, but he claims to ‘protect troops’ pay’ Read More »

CNN’s Jake Tapper smacks Melanie Stansbury with dose of reality

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

As the federal government shutdown reaches 30 days, CNN host Jake Tapper pressed far-left Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D–N.M.) on her party’s repeated votes against reopening the government and the growing strain on federal nutrition programs.

During the exchange, Tapper directly challenged Stansbury over Senate Democrats’ refusal to support measures that would end the shutdown.

“This is … a choice by Senate Democrats to NOT vote to open the government,” Tapper said.

Stansbury pushed back, replying, “No, it is not!”

Tapper then followed up:

“If you feel so strongly… why not ask the Senate Democrats from New Mexico to vote to OPEN the government so the SNAP funds…”

Stansbury responded, “I’m fighting for SNAP!”

The far-left Democrat congresswoman tried to claim Democrats were fighting for money already appropriated, but Tapper noted how said funds were only to last weeks at most and not a lasting solution whatsoever, to which Stansbury took offense and continued trying to spar with the CNN host. 

The exchange highlighted the growing tension within the Democratic Party as the shutdown enters its fifth week. Despite Stansbury’s insistence that she supports federal nutrition programs such as SNAP and WIC, she voted against a House bill to keep the government open earlier this month.

Democrats in the Senate have voted 13 times against proposals that would have reopened the government, blocking short-term funding measures advanced by House Republicans, as well as a “clean” bill that would merely keep current funding levels on all programs. Even some Democrat senators, such as Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, joined Republicans in working to try to reopen the government despite the Democrats’ shutdown.

Those bills would have kept essential programs funded while broader negotiations continued, but Democrats chose to let the benefits run out to give health care to criminal aliens and extend COVID-era programs that Democrat-led congresses and Joe Biden set sunsets on.

As a result, agencies are running low on resources, and programs that provide food assistance to millions of families are nearing exhaustion of contingency funds. Both SNAP and WIC are expected to face service disruptions if Congress does not act soon.

Republicans argue that Democrats are using the shutdown as leverage for political gain — at the expense of families who rely on these programs. Meanwhile, Tapper’s questioning underscored the growing public frustration with the standoff, as Stansbury refused to call on Democrat Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján to support reopening the government.

With the shutdown now at 30 days and no compromise in sight, critical aid programs continue to hang in the balance.

CNN’s Jake Tapper smacks Melanie Stansbury with dose of reality Read More »

Dem state lawmaker launches site to impede ICE operations, target officers

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A far-left New Mexico lawmaker is facing backlash after unveiling a controversial website that allows users to track and report Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity across the state — a move that legal experts warn could border on federal obstruction of justice.

State Rep. Marianna Anaya (D–Albuquerque) announced the launch of Aguas, a website she says has been in development for months and is designed to “document ICE activity” and “report missing people.” But the project’s premise — encouraging the public to upload photos, videos, and detailed descriptions of federal enforcement actions — has drawn immediate criticism and concern that it could tip off illegal immigrants and criminal suspects to evade arrest.

According to Anaya, her office created the platform so people could “anonymously upload a picture, a video, and a brief description of what they saw and where.” She told local media that all user data would be “scrubbed of metadata” and that “everything that you see on the Aguas website is publicly available.”

However, critics note that such a site effectively crowdsources surveillance of federal officers, a move that could expose their identities, compromise ongoing investigations, and endanger public safety.

Anaya insisted the website is “not to be used for any kind of harassment or interfering with law enforcement,” but its very purpose — to track ICE arrests and movements — raises legal red flags. Under 8 U.S.C. §1324, it is a federal offense to aid, abet, conceal, or harbor an illegal alien or to obstruct federal agents in carrying out immigration enforcement. The law also prohibits anyone from providing information or assistance intended to help individuals evade detection or apprehension by ICE.

Despite these serious concerns, Anaya is framing the effort as a “community resource.” “You do have rights,” she said, claiming the website offers legal and informational tools “if you are approached by anyone.”

The site’s operators admit that the posted submissions are unverified, and that “the only way in which we would change that to something that was verified” would be through confirmation from “community partners.” In other words, the platform relies on activist groups — not law enforcement — to validate reports of ICE activity.

The website also includes a feature to “report missing people,” but given its political slant and the lack of verification standards, the site’s accuracy and intent remain questionable.

Anaya is the same lawmaker who compared ICE detention facilities in New Mexico to a “concentration camp,” blasted as an antisemitic statement that trivializes the Holocaust. 

National observers quickly condemned the project. Libs of TikTok posted on X: “New Mexico State Rep. Marianna Anaya (D) just launched a website to track ICE agents’ movements and operations across New Mexico. Impeding ICE operations is a CRIME.”

Indeed, if users employ the site to warn targets of pending ICE operations or to help criminal aliens evade arrest, it could constitute obstruction of justice or aiding and abetting under federal law — crimes punishable by prison time.

In a state already struggling with border-related crime and drug trafficking, Rep. Anaya’s website blurs the line between “community activism” and active interference with federal immigration enforcement — a distinction that could soon attract attention not only from voters, but from federal prosecutors.

Dem state lawmaker launches site to impede ICE operations, target officers Read More »

DC consultants cash in as Haaland’s campaign bleeds millions

14 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

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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

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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

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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

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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 »

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