Politics

National spotlight on NM after horrific CYFD baby death, Uber driver slaying

19 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico is making national headlines for two harrowing incidents — both underscoring deep concerns over public safety and state oversight. Reports from Blaze Media and the New York Post detail the tragic death of an 18-month-old girl with prior involvement in the state’s Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD), and the chilling murder of an Uber driver by a teenager who allegedly killed “to let off some steam.”

The first case involves Vanessa Chavez, who has been charged with child abuse resulting in death after her toddler was found unresponsive in Albuquerque and died despite 20 minutes of CPR. The child’s death is the sixth in just four months connected to CYFD cases, according to KOB-TV. The girl had been removed from Chavez at birth after being born drug-exposed, only to be returned to her parents for a trial reunification shortly before her death.

Maralyn Beck, founder of the New Mexico Child First Network, placed direct blame on Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and CYFD. “Every single one of these deaths was preventable,” Beck said, adding, “This is on the governor. There is blood on the governor at this point.” She argued that in a “functioning system,” one call to child protective services should save a child’s life.

In response, Gov. Lujan Grisham acknowledged CYFD’s persistent issues, saying, “You’re chasing your tail, and we’ve been chasing our tail for decades.” She promised, “We’re gonna make some damn important progress” in her remaining 18 months in office. A statement from her office said she is “working diligently to address flaws in the system,” citing a recent overhaul for protecting babies born to drug-addicted parents. CYFD also confirmed that two of Chavez’s three children had been in state custody and said all parties, including social workers and the presiding judge, agreed to end the abuse and neglect case in June after the parents complied with a reunification plan.

While the state grapples with systemic child welfare failures, Albuquerque was rocked by another national headline — the murder of Uber driver Joseph Andrus, allegedly at the hands of 18-year-old Sheliky Sanchez. According to the New York Post, Sanchez’s girlfriend ordered him an Uber around 1 a.m., but Andrus was found dead just hours later, shot execution-style on the side of the road. His black Ford Escape was missing until authorities found it at Sanchez’s girlfriend’s home.

Initially, Sanchez told police he bought the car with cash and had no idea it belonged to the victim. But investigators said he eventually confessed to targeting a stranger to “take [his stress] out on anybody he could find.” Sanchez admitted he chose a random drop-off location, ordered Andrus out of the vehicle, and shot him several times — later remarking, “He seemed like a good guy… I don’t really go for good people,” but that killing him felt like “a relief.”

Sanchez is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on charges of murder, armed robbery, and tampering with evidence. This story was also picked up by The Indepdendent, among other national outlets.

With both cases drawing national attention, New Mexico is once again confronting questions about its ability to protect the vulnerable — from children in state care to citizens simply trying to make a living.

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$1.3 million dark money operation to stop malpractice reform brought to light

11 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A political group that fought tooth and nail to block medical malpractice reform in New Mexico has been forced to lift the veil on its funding—revealing an operation bankrolled almost entirely by trial attorneys.

New Mexico Safety Over Profit, the self-described “network” opposing changes to the state’s malpractice laws, disclosed nearly $1.3 million in contributions Monday after settling a lawsuit with the State Ethics Commission. The donor list, obtained through the settlement, reads like a roll call of the state’s trial bar.

The New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association alone pumped in $245,000 over four-plus years, while Iowa trial attorney Nicholas Rowley shelled out $425,000. Dozens of other contributors—mostly New Mexico trial lawyers, with a smattering from out of state—round out the list.

The group was sued by the Ethics Commission earlier this year for refusing to comply with state lobbying laws. The commission argued Safety Over Profit was running a coordinated lobbying and advertising campaign—complete with full-page newspaper ads and targeted social media blitzes—without registering or reporting its donors and expenditures.

In the end, the group agreed to pay the maximum allowable fine under state law—$5,000—while releasing its donors and advertising expenditures from the run-up to this year’s legislative session. Notably, the disclosure went back to 2021, exceeding the formal settlement requirements.

President of the group’s board, Albuquerque attorney Feliz Rael, maintained the group did nothing wrong, but admitted they opted to settle to avoid “an unnecessary use of time and resources.” She added, “We have nothing to hide and are proud to disclose our donors.”

State Ethics Commission Deputy Director Amelia Bierle called the agreement a “significant outcome,” stressing that “The people of New Mexico have a right to know who is trying to shape public policy in our state.”

The revelations confirm what reform advocates have long suspected—that New Mexico Safety Over Profit is not a grassroots movement of concerned citizens, but rather a well-funded shield for trial lawyers intent on preserving the lucrative status quo.

Medical malpractice reform has been a flashpoint in Santa Fe since lawmakers overhauled the law in 2021. Providers warn the changes have driven malpractice insurance premiums through the roof, worsening an already critical doctor shortage—particularly in rural areas. Efforts to cap attorney fees in malpractice suits have been met with fierce resistance from trial lawyers and their allies.

Fred Nathan, executive director of the reform-minded think tank Think New Mexico, said the settlement “pulls back the curtain.” According to Nathan, “Thanks to the New Mexico Ethics Commission, the public now knows that this dark money group… is entirely funded by trial lawyers… and is actually nothing more than a front group for the trial lawyers.”

Safety Over Profit insists it will continue “fighting for the rights of New Mexicans” and holding “negligent corporations” accountable. But with its donor list now public, critics say the group’s true mission—to protect trial lawyers’ bottom line—can no longer be hidden behind glossy ads and populist slogans.

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Lujan Grisham loses it over Trump’s D.C. Police takeover

26 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize the Washington, D.C., police force and deploy 800 National Guard troops to crack down on violent crime has triggered a performative political uproar from leftists—not least from New Mexico’s far-left Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who joined Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller in issuing a lengthy joint statement denouncing the move as “massive executive overreach.”

The president announced Monday that the Metropolitan Police Department would be placed under the authority of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi for 30 days under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, citing surging violent crime, carjackings, and homicides over the past several years. FBI Director Kash Patel was on the ground at the command post, telling Fox News Digital, “When you let good cops be cops, give them the tools they need, and back them every step of the way, they deliver—every time.”

But Lujan Grisham was quick to lash out at the plan. In her statement, she accused Trump of making “unilateral decisions that appear politically motivated” and claimed the deployment demonstrated a “fundamental misunderstanding of effective public safety strategy.” 

She warned the move “sets a dangerous precedent and undermines safety in our nation’s capital,” even as Trump cited statistics showing carjackings have more than tripled in recent years. This comes after she unilaterally attempted to suspend New Mexicans’ rights to bear arms and was immediately halted by a federal judge, which we thoroughly reported on at the time.

The governor’s joint release with Keller painted Trump’s move as an authoritarian stunt, likening it to his previous use of the National Guard in California amid far-left riots and attacks on federal police. “This is about politics, not fighting crime,” they argued, ignoring the District’s long-standing reputation for lax enforcement under the city’s far-left council and mayor’s office.

While Washington’s Democrat leaders insist crime is dropping—citing a 26% decline in total offenses this year—Trump countered that murders remain higher than in some of the most notoriously dangerous cities worldwide and that the city has endured the highest murder rate in decades.

Lujan Grisham, however, framed the takeover as an assault on “local leadership,” contrasting it with New Mexico’s model of state and local cooperation. “Here in New Mexico, we address public safety challenges by bringing local and state resources together,” she said, touting programs that send the National Guard to provide support roles rather than direct policing, all tactics that have proven inconsequential to say the least.

Under her tenure, New Mexico has remained one of the most dangerous states in the country, plagued by rising violent crime rates in Albuquerque and beyond. Many see her outrage over Trump’s D.C. intervention as more about partisan politics than public safety—especially given her vocal opposition to virtually every major Trump law-and-order initiative.

The governor’s warning that Trump’s actions “do nothing to keep Americans safe” stands in stark contrast to Patel’s on-the-ground endorsement of the effort, not to mention the other public safety results the President has delivered, such as zero illegal border crossings and resources being delivered to law enforcement via the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. The FBI chief said the operation’s goal is simple: restore law and order to the capital by giving law enforcement full federal backing.

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A century of one-party control leaves NM dead last in another key metric

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

New Mexico has landed in an unenviable position—dead last—on WalletHub’s 2025 list of the best and worst states to live in, ranking 50th out of all 50 states. The personal-finance website’s analysis, released this week, evaluated states based on 51 key indicators of livability, ranging from housing costs and job opportunities to health care quality, education, safety, and quality of life.

While states like Massachusetts, Idaho, and New Jersey topped the list, New Mexico scored an overall 39.68 points—significantly below the national leaders—placing it behind Louisiana (49th) and Arkansas (48th). The study paints a troubling picture of New Mexico’s challenges across multiple dimensions.

Breaking Down New Mexico’s Weak Spots

According to WalletHub’s ranking breakdown, New Mexico placed:

  • 25th in Affordability – While middle-of-the-pack in affordability, this ranking masks deeper structural problems, as low housing costs are offset by stagnant wages and limited economic opportunity.
  • 33rd in Economy – The state struggles with job creation, slow income growth, and high poverty rates. Entrepreneurial activity is below the national average, and workforce participation remains low compared to top-performing states.
  • 48th in Education & Health – This is one of the most alarming categories for New Mexico. Public school quality, graduation rates, and health outcomes are among the worst in the country. The state faces a high percentage of residents in poor or fair health, shorter life expectancy, and limited access to quality medical care.
  • 30th in Quality of Life – Despite New Mexico’s scenic beauty and cultural richness, infrastructure issues, limited public transportation, and gaps in recreational access keep this score low.
  • 49th in Safety – High violent and property crime rates remain a persistent problem, contributing to the state’s second-worst safety score in the nation.

A Stark Contrast With Top Performers

Massachusetts, ranked No. 1, earned high marks thanks to exceptional health care, top-tier education, and low crime. Even states with higher costs of living, such as New Jersey (3rd) and New York (9th), ranked far ahead of New Mexico due to stronger economies, better health metrics, and safer communities.

In comparison, New Mexico’s poor showing in education, health, and public safety overwhelmed any modest advantages in cost of living. The report suggests that for the state to climb in the rankings, policymakers must focus on improving schools, expanding health care access, reducing crime, and fostering economic growth that offers higher-paying jobs.

A Century of One-Party Control

New Mexico’s last-place ranking is no coincidence. The state has been under near-continuous Democrat leadership for nearly 100 years, with Democrats controlling the governorship, legislature, or both for the overwhelming majority of that time. Decades of one-party rule have produced entrenched policies that have failed to address chronic problems in education, public safety, and economic competitiveness. The result is a state that lags far behind its peers despite abundant natural resources and cultural heritage.

Why It Matters

WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo emphasized that choosing a place to live involves balancing financial factors with overall quality of life. For New Mexico, the report underscores how weaknesses in education, safety, and economic opportunity not only hurt its national standing but also deter new residents and businesses from moving in.

If the state is to shed its last-place status, major policy shifts will be needed. That means tackling crime rates head-on, overhauling struggling school systems, improving health outcomes, and building an economic environment that can retain talent and attract new industries.

Until then, New Mexico remains at the bottom of the national livability list—a position that serves as both a warning and a call to action for its leaders.

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Eight New Mexico counties unite to block 1.84 million acre power line seizure

23 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Rural New Mexico counties have scored a significant victory in their fight against a massive federal land corridor proposal, winning unanimous support from the National Association of Counties (NACo) to oppose the National Interest Electric Transmission Corridors (NIETCs), proposed by the failed Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration before leaving office.

Representatives from eight directly affected New Mexico counties worked together to bring their case to NACo’s annual meeting on July 14, 2025, securing national backing for their resolution to halt the NIETCs until the federal government coordinates with state, tribal, and county governments.

The corridors plan, first announced on May 8, 2024, calls for 10 federally designated routes — each 5 to 15 miles wide — to move electricity across the country. One of them, the Southwest Grid Connector, would cut through eight New Mexico counties, four Colorado counties, and part of the Oklahoma Panhandle, impacting more than 1.84 million acres in New Mexico alone.

While federal officials have described the corridors as necessary to expand electrical distribution, local leaders have raised alarms about the scale of land loss, potential harm to agriculture, and the erosion of local authority.

Concerns grew after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) changed its rules in October 2024, giving itself authority to approve projects even after states deny them. By December, the Southwest Grid Connector advanced to Phase 3 in the Federal Register, alongside two other proposed corridors — the Tribal Energy Access Corridor and the Lake Erie–Canada Corridor — triggering a short public comment period.

Many residents only then realized the scope of the federal power, including the ability to take land without congressional approval. Questions about the use of eminent domain, funding for land acquisitions, and the exclusion of local decision-makers quickly followed.

In response, local ranchers and the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association partnered with county leaders to host six town hall meetings across the affected counties. Hundreds attended, and county commissioners pledged to take action.

Soon after, county boards passed formal resolutions opposing the NIETCs and sent them to state, local, and federal officials. They also began working together to pursue further actions and raise public awareness.

Those efforts culminated in March 2025, when New Mexico counties presented their resolution at NACo’s legislative conference in Washington, D.C. The proposal was adopted as an interim measure by the Environment, Energy, and Land Use Committee and co-sponsored by the Agriculture and Rural Affairs and Public Lands Committees, with support from counties across multiple western states.

At the Philadelphia meeting in July, the resolution passed the NACo General Assembly without opposition — a clear signal that rural concerns over the NIETCs have national resonance.

“This was about making sure our communities are heard,” said Chaves County Manager Bill Williams, one of the leaders in the effort. “Local governments must be part of the process before any action is taken on these corridors.”

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Vasquez floats wild conspiracies, bashes oil and gas to open-borders group

17 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), a self-proclaimed “champion” of border communities, was in Hobbs last week peddling his latest assault on New Mexico’s oil and gas industry — a sector that funds nearly half the state budget — while repeating far-left conspiracy theories with no basis in proven science.

Speaking to a tiny crowd of roughly two dozen people, most organized by the open-borders group Somos Un Pueblo Unido, Vasquez reintroduced a bill that would punish large oil and gas companies with yet another tax — this time to bankroll a special fund for worker health care costs supposedly caused by “methane exposure” and “low air quality.” These claims, popular with radical environmentalists, remain unproven by legitimate science and have been widely challenged by experts.

The legislation would target companies making more than $50 million a year, forcing them to hand over an amount equal to the combined salaries of their top ten executives into a federal trust fund. That fund would pay medical expenses for oil and gas workers and their families for conditions Vasquez claims are linked to the industry, including asthma, heat-related illness, and cardiovascular disease. No credible scientific consensus exists linking methane emissions from regulated U.S. oil and gas operations to such health conditions — a fact Vasquez conveniently ignores.

In a move straight out of the radical environmental left’s playbook, Vasquez also called for a sweeping federal study of “long-term health outcomes” in oil-producing states — a study sure to be driven by activist researchers who have long sought to undermine domestic energy production via “climate change” propaganda.

Vasquez’s rhetoric painted the industry as inherently dangerous, leaning heavily on anecdotal stories and an activist-funded report from Somos Un Pueblo Unido — a group that advocates for harboring illegal immigrants and opposes immigration enforcement at every turn. The report, co-authored with researchers at the University of New Mexico, predictably pushed a narrative of unsafe conditions and blamed the industry for everything from long work hours to driving hazards.

The Democrat also pivoted to his other pet cause — undermining U.S. immigration enforcement. Taking aim at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Vasquez blasted deportation policies and claimed that removing illegal immigrants from the oil and gas workforce would harm the economy. “We cannot accept that these folks don’t deserve the same level of health care that other workers deserve,” Vasquez insisted, effectively arguing for taxpayer-subsidized benefits for those in the country illegally.

It’s no surprise. Vasquez has a track record of aligning with socialist policies, attacking ICE, and pushing an open-borders agenda that rewards lawbreaking while vilifying industries that keep New Mexico’s economy afloat. His latest stunt is yet another example of a radical Democrat attempting to weaponize government against one of the state’s largest employers — all while ignoring the billions in revenue the oil and gas industry delivers for New Mexico schools, infrastructure, and public services.

The fact remains: oil and gas companies operating in the U.S. and New Mexico, especially, are among the most regulated in the world, with strict environmental and workplace safety standards. Vasquez’s smear campaign isn’t about protecting workers — it’s about dismantling an industry he and his environmental extremist allies despise, no matter the economic cost to New Mexico families.

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Vasquez, NM Dems to welcome violently racist ‘Squad’ member to NM

25 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

In a move already raising eyebrows across the state, New Mexico Democrats have announced that their “most important fundraiser of the year” will feature none other than Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib — a far-left activist who a bipartisan majority in Congress has formally censured for her antisemitic and extremist rhetoric.

The headlining role of Tlaib, known for promoting violent rhetoric and divisive politics, is drawing harsh criticism as Democrats like Rep. Gabe Vasquez prepare to welcome her to New Mexico with open arms. The event is being described by critics as a rallying cry for the fringe progressive wing of the party, at a time when crime, border chaos, and economic instability are dominating the concerns of everyday New Mexicans.

Tlaib, a member of the so-called “Squad,” has a record that includes anti-Israel slurs, defending Hamas sympathizers, and refusing to condemn terrorist attacks against civilians. In 2023, she was officially censured by the U.S. House of Representatives, including dozens of Democrats, for promoting violent, inflammatory speech in the wake of terror attacks on Israeli citizens.

“Radical Democrat Gabe Vasquez welcoming Rashida Tlaib to amplify their agenda of raising taxes, defunding the police, and opening the southern border may appease his far-left base, but will be one of many reasons he loses his seat next year,” said NRCC Spokesman Zach Bannon. “Vasquez continues to prove he is too radical for New Mexico.”

Both Tlaib and Vasquez have supported radical proposals to raise taxes, gut law enforcement, and throw open the U.S.-Mexico border — policies that many say are wreaking havoc on New Mexico’s border towns and inner cities alike. Vasquez has repeatedly sided with progressives in Washington, voting in lockstep with President Biden and House leftists while ignoring the pleas of law enforcement and working-class families in his district.

While families struggle with soaring prices and rising crime, Vasquez seems more interested in rubbing elbows with far-left figures like Tlaib than delivering solutions. He’s also drawn criticism for his lavish campaign dining habits, dropping thousands in donor dollars at luxury restaurants from coast to coast — behavior that undercuts his carefully curated “man of the people” persona.

The fundraiser is shaping up to be a defining moment for New Mexico Democrats, signaling a full embrace of their party’s most extreme elements. And for Vasquez, whose seat is already one of the most vulnerable in the country, aligning himself with a figure as toxic as Rashida Tlaib could prove politically disastrous.

As New Mexico grapples with real-world crises — from border security and fentanyl trafficking to failing schools and an affordability crunch — the question on many minds is: Why are state Democrats celebrating a censure-backed radical instead of focusing on the people they claim to represent?

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MLG melts down after GOP slams her crime session as ‘political rerun’

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With violent crime continuing to plague New Mexico communities, far-left Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has called for a special legislative session expected in early September — and sparked a political firestorm in the process.

House Republicans blasted the governor’s attorney’s announcement last week, accusing her of using the session to rehash failed proposals and shift blame rather than deliver real solutions. In a post on X, House GOP Leader Gail Armstrong criticized the move as a “political rerun,” pointing out that the governor’s crime bills didn’t even get a vote during the 60-day regular session earlier this year nor during her failed three-hour special session last year, which ended up with nothing passed, as the Democrats decided to gavel out after passing the “feed bill” to fund the session. The GOP caucus argued that holding a costly special session to push the same rejected policies is a waste of taxpayer money.

They also raised concern over what they called the governor’s “dismantling” of enforcement tools at the state and federal level — a reference to her controversial push to close immigration detention facilities — warning that such moves only weaken law enforcement’s ability to combat drug trafficking and organized crime. Such a policy would immediately crush thousands of good-paying jobs for New Mexicans and simply result in these criminal aliens being shipped to Texas or other areas, such as Guantanamo Bay and Alligator Alcatraz.

Rather than addressing the policy criticisms directly, Lujan Grisham took to social media to scold Republicans, calling it “astounding” that any lawmaker would be reluctant to “come to the table.” She accused the GOP of political gamesmanship and insisted she was open to working across the aisle.

The House GOP quickly fired back, pointing out that Republicans have been sounding the alarm on crime for years — long before the governor’s latest pivot, which has come during the waning days of her governorship as she belts out her final swan song to save her political facade. They highlighted proposals they’ve repeatedly introduced, including reforms to juvenile justice, stricter penalties for violent repeat offenders, and bail system changes that keep dangerous criminals off the streets — measures they say the governor and her progressive allies have consistently ignored or blocked.

Adding to the pressure, Senate Republicans weighed in as well, bluntly stating that Democrats have refused “every measure to improve public safety,” despite years of rising crime rates under one-party control in Santa Fe.

The governor’s proposed special session appears to center on just two bills — both of which failed to move forward during the regular session, even with Democrat majorities in both chambers. One proposal would allow local governments to impose curfews, while the other is aimed at broadening pretrial detention for certain offenses. Notably absent are serious reforms to sentencing, repeat offender accountability, or juvenile justice — all issues Republicans have prioritized.

With growing frustration from law enforcement, communities, and even members of her own party, Lujan Grisham’s decision to revive previously rejected bills has sparked questions about whether this special session is truly about crime — or simply about optics.

New Mexicans remain desperate for action, but critics say if the governor’s approach doesn’t change, the session will end just like the last one — with no real solutions and crime still on the rise.

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President Trump’s DOJ puts ABQ on blast for protecting criminal aliens

31 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice has officially named Albuquerque as one of the nation’s sanctuary cities that, according to federal officials, undermine immigration enforcement and jeopardize public safety.

The announcement, made Tuesday, follows President Trump’s April executive order directing the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security to publicly expose jurisdictions that “violate, obstruct, and defy” federal immigration laws. The list, released this week, includes liberal strongholds like New York City, San Francisco, and Seattle — but also Albuquerque, New Mexico, now in the national spotlight for shielding illegal immigrants from federal law enforcement.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi issued a strong rebuke of sanctuary policies in a press statement accompanying the release.

“Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design,” Bondi said. “The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country.”

Albuquerque, under the leadership of Democrat Mayor Tim Keller, has long embraced policies that have turned the city into a haven for criminal aliens. These policies include refusing to honor federal immigration detainer requests, blocking cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and even restricting information-sharing with federal agents — all of which run counter to federal law and now place the city in legal jeopardy.

The inclusion of Albuquerque on the DOJ’s official sanctuary jurisdiction list confirms what many New Mexicans have long suspected: that their state’s largest city has prioritized politics over public safety. Under Trump’s Executive Order 14287, the administration is now moving to hold cities like Albuquerque accountable.

President Trump’s directive explicitly calls for the restoration of law and order, citing that “some State and local officials…continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws.” The executive order lays the groundwork for legal action against non-compliant cities and invites jurisdictions to work with the federal government to get off the list by repealing sanctuary policies.

The move signals a return to the Trump administration’s America First approach to immigration enforcement — one that many New Mexico residents, particularly those near the southern border, welcome after years of unchecked illegal crossings and cartel violence spilling over into the U.S.

While most, if not all, Democrat leaders in New Mexico continue to ignore the consequences of sanctuary policies, the Trump administration’s actions serve as a direct challenge. New Mexico, a border state walloped by illegal immigration, is once again at the crossroads of a national debate on sovereignty, security, and the rule of law.

As lawsuits mount against sanctuary cities across the country — including one recently filed against New York City — Albuquerque may soon face the same legal pressure to abandon its radical approach. The message from Washington is clear: comply with federal immigration law, or face the consequences.

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Fishy behavior: Vasquez’s steakhouse splurges expose his everyman lie

30 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

A new report from the Washington Free Beacon reveals that Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), who recently portrayed himself as an everyman who prefers “catching blue catfish” in the Anacostia River over eating out, has actually spent over $7,000 in campaign funds at high-end restaurants across the country, taking after his ally, Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is well-known for her lavish lifestyle on the taxpayers’ and campaign donors’ dimes.

The report notes Vasquez’s spending spanned locations including Washington, D.C., New York City, Santa Monica, and even Jackson Hole—far from his working-class southern New Mexico district. While decrying “fancy dinners” in a July video, Vasquez was holding a catfish and claiming, “A lot of people like to eat fancy dinners, expensive dinners. I like to come out here and fish on the Anacostia River or the Potomac and catch some nice, little blue catfish.”

But campaign finance records tell a different story.

According to the Free Beacon, the freshman Democrat dropped $1,300 at Rio Chama Prime, a steakhouse in Santa Fe known for luxury items like a $63 ribeye and $61 elk loin. Just two days prior, he spent another $555 at M’tucci’s Bar Roma in Albuquerque.

His taste for expensive meals isn’t confined to New Mexico. In June 2024, Vasquez reportedly spent nearly $300 at The Duck and the Peach in D.C., a restaurant known for a $98 duck entrée and $140 porterhouse steak. He also spent more than $400 at another high-end D.C. spot, Sonoma, where charcuterie boards run up to $130.

Out-of-district meals were also covered by campaign funds. In Santa Monica, nearly 800 miles from his district, Vasquez spent over $200 at Shirube, a sushi restaurant offering $300 bottles of sake. During a trip to Jackson Hole—about 1,100 miles away—he racked up nearly $500 at two restaurants. And in June, he spent $220 at La Pecora Bianca, a chic Italian restaurant in Midtown Manhattan.

These revelations stand in stark contrast to his self-styled image as a budget-conscious public servant. Vasquez, who once said focusing on local concerns is “at the core of what Democrats need to get back to doing,” is one of the most vulnerable Democrats facing re-election in 2026. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has labeled his seat a priority, placing him on its Frontline program to defend endangered incumbents.

Beyond campaign spending, Vasquez is no stranger to controversy. The Free Beacon previously uncovered a string of past legal troubles, including a 2002 arrest warrant in Texas for failure to appear in court after being charged with driving without a license or insurance. In 2004, Vasquez was reported to have used a racial slur toward a Black coworker after being fired from a job at a call center while attending New Mexico State University. The following year, he was caught flushing marijuana down a toilet during a police encounter, and in 2006, police responded to his home in reference to a “possible domestic” incident with a girlfriend.

Vasquez has not publicly commented on the revelations.

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