Politics

Governor’s sexual abuse accuser’s sister says he is dead

18 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to multiple sources, Phoenix-based consultant James Hallinan, a conservative Democrat, passed away on Thursday.

Hallinan made headlines in New Mexico after he claimed that in 2018 then-U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who is now governor, poured water over his crotch area and groped him in front of multiple witnesses.

Lujan Grisham’s campaign subsequently paid Hallinan $150,000 after the allegations surfaced ahead of her 2022 reelection campaign.

Political blogger Joe Monahan posted on Twitter Friday, “NM political consultant James Hallinan is dead at 40.” A quote from his sister Marisa read, “With much sadness we share that our beloved and brilliant brother and son James Hallinan died on Thursday. At this time of deep sadness we thank you for your conveyed sentiments and support.” 

Monahan noted, “No cause given” regarding his cause of death.

“In lieu of a formal ceremony, we ask that those who knew him spend time celebrating his life in a way that honors the joyous times you spent with him,” Hallinan’s sister wrote.

Brett Kokinadis, a former Republican Party of Santa Fe County officer, wrote on Twitter, “Waiting for confirmation, but James Hallinan is rumored to be deceased. Did you have anything to do with it Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham? I sure hope not!”

Albuquerque City Council candidate Dr. Joseph Pitluck Aguirre wrote in response to one of Hallinan’s tweets mourning the death of Eric Witt, a former Lujan Grisham official, “Rest in peace James.”

The post from Hallinan made on July 17, 2023, was his last post to the network.

Before that, the former Lujan Grisham staffer wrote on Twitter, “The level of corruption and abuse is at an all-time high in New Mexico. I’m still shocked, but I guess I shouldn’t be at this point.”

Hallinan previously had death threats made against him, as reported in October 2022. 

At the time, Hallinan said, “I just need to make sure we’re documenting some of these death threats, ’cause I say it, and everybody, it’s like nobody is paying attention. I don’t know who this lady is, but I got all the screenshots,” referencing a threat from someone named “Angel” on social media.

He told the Santa Fe New Mexican, “I’m tired,” he said Thursday. “I’m tired of the continued death threats on social media and everybody trying to muscle me. I’m real tired of it. They’ve pushed me too far.”

As more details come out, the Piñon Post will keep our readers up to date on the latest from the situation. 

MLG’s alleged groping victim may have info on sitting official tied to Epstein

After razor-thin 2022 loss, GOP state House candidate files for rematch

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Retired teacher Elizabeth Winterrowd, a Republican, lost by a razor-thin margin of 133 votes in 2022’s election for New Mexico House District 53, located in Doña Ana and Otero Counties, against Democrat Rep. Willie Madrid.

She is looking to reclaim the seat for the GOP that Rep. Ricky Little formerly held before Madrid’s election in 2018.

Winterrowd’s campaign wrote in a press release, “Elizabeth has personally experienced the struggle of educating students as well as the failure of CYFD to protect New Mexican children as the mother of four grown children including one adopted through the New Mexico foster system and in her role as a special education teacher and teacher of gifted students for 17 years.”

“Parents now face a new blockade in raising their own children because of the extreme agenda carried out by Santa Fe politicians. A new law passed this session will now allow children to get life-changing, potentially endangering abortion or transgender procedures without parental knowledge or consent. Even further, those politicians are threatening schools with fines for ‘interfering.’”

The campaign contends that Madrid wasn’t present for “several critical votes.” It notes bills about free cultural programs for foster families and legislation providing funding for rural broadband.

“Since Willie Madrid has been in office, Southwest New Mexico families have been overlooked and ignored by Santa Fe politicians. At some point we have to ask ourselves, where is the guy who is supposed to represent us? Why doesn’t he speak up?” Winterrowd said. “Experience doesn’t count unless you put it to work for the people who are counting on you. I have the experience. I’m willing to put in the work. I am ready to fight for the interests of OUR district and put families first as your State Representative.”

The 53rd District, despite being redrawn in 2022 to favor Democrats, has remained competitive, as evidenced by Winterrowd’s strong performance last November. In 2020, Madrid held his seat by only 38 votes, and in 2018, a terrible year for Republicans, Madrid won the seat by 291.

To learn more about Winterrowd, visit LizForNM.com.

Vasquez bankrolled by abortion up-to-birth lobby in latest fundraising haul

12 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Far-left Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) is trying to keep his seat in Congress, despite fierce competition from GOP former Rep. Yvette Herrell, who he narrowly beat in 2022. 

Partnered up with extremist groups, he hopes to raise enough money to fend off the challenge from the GOP’s standard bearer.

In the last fundraising quarter spanning April through June, Vasquez raised $439,254.61 and spent $165,024.07.

He received large contributions from the pro-abortion lobby, with groups such as NARAL, the abortion up-to-birth group, pitching in $2,500. 

The pro-abortion medical group, the American College of OB-GYNs PAC (OB-GYN PAC), donated $1,000, while relative to the University of New Mexico’s abortion trainer, Dr. Eve L. Espey, wrote big checks. Dr. David K. Espey donated $1,000 on April 26, 2023.

Other contributions included $5,000 from the pro-lockdown, pro-forced mask American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO Committee on Political Education, $2,500 from the group pushing transgenderism on kids, the Human Rights Campaign, $2,832.34 from the extremist “climate groups the League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and the NRDC Action Fund Inc. PAC with a $960.47 donation, as well as $500 from the socialist-linked group Retake Our Democracy.

He also got help from far-left colleagues’ campaign accounts, with Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA) chipping in$2,000, Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) donating $1,000, Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) offering $1,000, Rep. Linda Sánchez (D-CA) giving $1,000, Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA) putting $1,000, and Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA) throwing in $500.

The New Mexico House Victory Fund 2022, which was a joint committee helping New Mexico’s three far-left Democrat U.S. representatives, gave $19,964.79 to Vasquez’s reelection efforts during the fundraising period.

Vasquez spent $43,632.61 at a company called Foglamp, which is a Democrat digital strategy firm that has been used by the likes of Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and the anti-gun group March for Our Lives.

He also spent handsomely on fundraising services from a Virginia-based group, LaFave and Associates. Another large expense for Vasquez’s campaign was catering, meals, and travel, which totaled $22,032.89 during the three-month period.

Expenses included multiple trips to the Monocle restaurant adjacent to the U.S. Senate office building, with bills totaling p $1,002.5 and $827.80.

Former Congresswoman Herrell raised $355,911.46 during the same timeframe, spending $70,186.92.

Heinrich spent over $21K in donor cash on ‘security upgrades’ at his ‘residence’

NM Dems fundraise off of summer temps, blame ‘MAGA extremists’

15 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Wednesday, the Democratic Party of New Mexico (DPNM) sent out a fundraising ask, requesting donations because of summer temperatures in New Mexico, claiming “climate change” is the cause.

“Yesterday, New Mexicans endured what was the hottest day of the year– at least so far. Globally, the earth is experiencing its hottest year on record indicating that climate change is showing no signs of slowing down. Increased temperatures are also straining states’ power grids, resulting in heat-related injuries and deaths across the nation,” it wrote.

“Republicans everywhere are pushing for the ‘depoliticization’ of climate, even going so far as to claiming that scientists are being paid to make false claims or coming up with their own bogus science to ‘disprove’ the consensus,” the email continued.

“Time and time again, we’re only seeing Democrats step up to the plate to protect the climate. If we’re going to have any real chance of curbing climate change and protecting earth’s species and delicate ecosystems, we need to continue electing climate champions who will be proactive in advocating for pro-climate policies that will save our planet.”

It is unclear exactly what specifically via their anti-energy policies would “save our planet,” but paying higher taxes and forcing New Mexicans to adopt unreliable energy sources, such as solar and wind, are not proven to drop Earth’s temperature by a single degree.

Furthermore, the hottest temperatures ever recorded on Earth happened over 100 years ago, when oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuels were hardly used at their current capacity, brought forth by new technologies. 

But the Democrats wrote to their subscribers in an attempt to solicit donations, “Can you chip in to continue electing Democrats who will fight against climate change, as opposed to climate-denying, MAGA extremist GOP politicians who don’t take it seriously?” 

New Mexico Democrat politicians have also been making these melodramatic clarion calls, claiming because summer is hot that, “climate change” is just shy of roasting people alive.  

Far-left U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich bemoaned, “We are all paying the price of Republican inaction on climate change.”

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, another far-leftist, wrote, “This summer is a scorcher! Friendly reminder that climate change is real and we are feeling the effects of global warming in REAL TIME. When @theestallion mentioned ‘hot girl summer,’ I don’t think this is what she meant,” referencing a song.

Despite the rhetoric, back in 1913, temperatures peaked, leaving Democrats defenseless against cold, hard facts that disprove their “climate change” hysteria. 

Democrats whine about ‘climate change’ because summer is hot

Few details released following death of Gov. Lujan Grisham staffer

13 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Monday, it was revealed that a senior advisor to Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, Eric Witt, 60, was found dead in his garage.

Witt, who helped develop the state’s generous tax incentives to the film industry and was previously based in Los Angeles, served in the governor’s staff since January. 

He also worked for Democrat former Gov. Bill Richardson in multiple roles between 2003 and 2010.

Few details are known about the staffer’s death, but the Albuquerque Journal reported, “Santa Fe police said Witt was found dead in his garage Monday morning after his wife, who was out of town and had last spoken to him on Friday, requested a welfare check. Police said there were no apparent signs of trauma.”

Eric Witt in 2019. Screenshot from NM PBS via YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsqtc2B6FtE

Former Gov. Richardson wrote in a statement following the news, “I am shocked and saddened beyond belief at the passing of Eric Witt, a dear friend and former staffer. He came from a wonderful family, especially his mother, Lee Witt, who worked for many governors, including myself.” He added, “If there was one person responsible for bringing the movie industry to New Mexico, it was Eric. My wife Barbara and myself express our deepest condolences to the Witt family.”

Lujan Grisham also bemoaned Witt’s death, writing, ­“I am shocked and saddened by the passing of Eric Witt, a longtime colleague and senior advisor in my office. He was a skilled navigator of state government and the Legislature and, most consequentially, offered his specialty in film financing to establish a brand-new economic driver in the state. Without Eric’s leadership, New Mexico’s booming film and media industry would not be the success that it is today.”

According to a press release from her office: 

For more than 30 years, Witt balanced the demands of a career in the film industry and public service. He started his career working for Dino De Laurentiis Communications in Los Angeles. Witt’s political work in New Mexico began in 1998 when he was the Chief of Staff for the state’s House of Representatives and continued as part of leadership in Gov. Bill Richardson’s office.

When Gov. Richardson left office in 2011, he returned to Los Angeles to focus on film and television production. Witt’s passion for service and creativity merged when he was named executive director of the Santa Fe Film Office in 2016. Witt was awarded an Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts for his work on “However Wide the Sky: Places of Power” in 2022.

In a statement issued by Witt’s family Tuesday, they said they are “heartbroken over Eric’s death. He was an amazing man of so many talents, interests and loves. But what he loved above all else was his family — his wife, mother, father, brothers, sister, sisters-in-law, son and nephews. The support and messages that we have gotten from people in New Mexico, California and beyond show just how many lives he touched and we are grateful for all of them.”

According to Lujan Grisham’s office, between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023, New Mexico’s film industry brought in $794 million in direct spending. That figure is down 7.2 percent from last year’s $855.4 million.

Services for fallen Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson announced

8 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

The City of Alamogordo announced services for fallen Alamogordo Police Officer Anthony Ferguson, who was fatally shot Saturday by a suspect who had previously brandished a gun at law enforcement.

On Wednesday, the community will gather for a candlelight vigil at 6:30 at Alamogordo High School’s gym, known as the Tiger Pit.

Then, on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., funeral services for Officer Ferguson will be held at the Tays Events Center at New Mexico State University-Alamogoro, located at 2400 N Scenic Drive.

“Please be advised that there will be limited parking available at the Tays Special Events Center parking lot for the tribute service for  Officer Ferguson. Overflow parking can be used at the NMSU-A  campus across from the Tays Special Events Center,” wrote the City.

Officer Ferguson via the Alamogordo Police Department.

“For those unable to attend the service in person, the funeral will be live streamed by the KRQE news station. This will allow you to participate and join us in honoring Officer Ferguson remotely. We are grateful for the support and unity of our community, near and far.”

Condolences flooded in from across the state, with local leaders, pastors, lawmakers, and others showing unity with Alamogordo as it mourns the tragic killing of Officer Ferguson. 

Legislative committee previewing anti-gun bills Tuesday

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

On Tuesday, the Legislative Courts, Corrections, and Justice Committee, chaired by Sen. Joseph Cervantes (D-Las Cruces), will preview anti-gun bills that will be reintroduced in the 2024 Legislative Session, along with new proposals that could be brought forth.

Starting at 8:35 a.m., the committee, which is meeting in Mescalero at the Inn of the Mountain Gods, will have a two-hour discussion on the 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn., Inc. v. Bruen U.S. Supreme Court case, which struck down anti-gun laws in the Empire State.

Then, the Committee will discuss proposed anti-gun laws, including banning what they deem “assault weapons,” mandating new higher age restrictions for firearm purchases, imposing waiting periods, increasing background check requirements, attacking gun manufacturers for gun-related incidents, and more.

Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grsham’s staff will attend to discuss her gun-grabbing bills plans.

The meeting will not include a slot for public comment, and the Committee’s chairman explicitly noted that he did not invite pro-gun advocates, such as the National Rife Association or Gun Owners of America. However, the anti-gun group, the Giffords Law Center, will be prominently featured.

Pro-gun legislators, including Reps. Stefani Lord (R-Sandia Park) and John Block (R-Alamogordo) will be in attendance, as well as other pro-gun committee members.

To access the Committee’s agenda, click here. To join the webcast, click here. 

Heinrich spent over $21K in donor cash on ‘security upgrades’ at his ‘residence’

14 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to Martin Heinrich’s report submitted to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) from April 1 through June 30, he raised $1,492,673.01 while spending $579,141.56. 

Large contributions include $6,600 from San-Francisco-based Meritage Group LP, $5,000 from Facebook Inc. PAC, $6,000 from Google’s PAC, $3,300 from marijuana company PurLife’s CEO Darren White, $4,000 from retired U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy’s campaign committee, among tens of thousands from the eco-left energy sector such as The League of Conservation Voters Action Fund and Environment America Inc. Voter Action. 

His largest expenditures for the fundraising period went to the fundraising firm “Authentic Campaigns,” which received at least $119,500. Other large recipients include the fundraising firm Fulkerson, Kennedy, and Company ($144,461.29) and FDM Connects LLC fundraising consulting company ($57,924.3).

Heinrich also hired Adam Schiff aide Brad Elkins, paying the far-left staffer who previously worked for the abortion up-to-birth group EMILY’s List $28,517. He paid far-left Democrat Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez’s fundraiser Kyra Ellis-Moore $19,528.88. 

An interesting tidbit from Heinrich’s previous report is that he spent $13,804.25 on “security upgrades at the residence” through “Jillian Homes Realty” on January 13, 2023, and spent $7,374.15 at the Arizona-based Safe Haven Defense LLC for the same purpose on January 30, 2023.

During the fundraising period ending in June, Heinrich spent $17,305.29 on mileage, meals, and travel, spending big at places such as the Albuquerque Hilton Garden Inn, San Francisco Grand Hyatt, Chicago AC Marriott, Bellevue, and Washington’s Hyatt Regency, among other expenditures. 

He spent $4,652.78 during the period on legal fees, $7,000 on polling from Public Policy Polling, and $13,413.63 on videography and photography.

Someone files ‘Breaking Bad’ character to run for New Mexico congressional seat

5 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

According to a Federal Election Commission (FEC) filing, the main character from AMX/FX’s hit show Breaking Bad, filmed and set in New Mexico, is running for Congress as a Republican in the state’s Second Congressional District.

A June 16, 2023 filing shows “Walter Hartwell White/ Jesse Bruce Pinkman” had registered a committee for the former to run for the Second District. White’s character, an Albuquerque-based former chemistry teacher from the show, became a meth cook who sold the drug to the cartel to pay for his cancer treatment and ended up becoming a legend in his own right known as “Heisenberg.” Pinkman was White’s partner in crime who worked as his drug dealer in the show.

The filing listed “3828 Piermont Dr” in Albuquerque as the candidate’s address — the filming location of White’s fictitious house on “308 Negro Arroyo Lane” from the television show. The address is not within the Second District, although candidates need not live in the district to run, unlike state legislative candidates who must live in the district they aim to represent.

The committee name, “Gus Associates,” pays homage to the show’s cartel boss Gustavo “Gus” Fring, listing the committee’s filing address as that of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park in Las Cruces.

Following the fake campaign filing, the FEC wrote in a June 25, 2023 letter to the entity, “It has come to the attention of the Federal Election Commission that you may have failed to include the true, correct, or candidate information under 52 U.S.C. § 30102(e) when you filed FEC Form 2.”

It added, “Furthermore, the Commission requires the filing to be true, correct, and complete. When you filed FEC Form 2, you made the following certification: ‘I certify that I have examined this Statement and to the best of my knowledge and belief it is true, correct and complete.’ The Commission also informed you on that form that: ‘Submission of false, erroneous, or incomplete information may subject the person signing this Statement to the penalties of 52 U.S.C. § 30109.’” 

“It is not known who filed the FEC candidate paperwork for the fictional characters. The FEC said it would crack down on fake candidate filings in 2016 after several fake presidential candidates were listed for the vacant office,” wrote KOAT 7.

Former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell is the sole legitimate Republican candidate in the Second District, while Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez is attempting to run for another term after narrowly beating Herrell in 2022.

Democrats whine about ‘climate change’ because summer is hot

20 Comments / New Mexico, News, Politics / By

Summer is hot. That’s just a fact, especially in the desert of New Mexico.

However, far-left Democrats in the U.S. Congress are claiming triple-digit July temperatures are the result of “climate change,” some even going so far as to blame it on Republicans for not passing eco-left laws.

Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich, a Maryland resident, claimed on Twitter, “We are all paying the price of Republican inaction on climate change,” sharing an article from the Washington Post talking about the “extreme heat.”

Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-CD-01) wrote, “This summer is a scorcher! Friendly reminder that climate change is real and we are feeling the effects of global warming in REAL TIME. When [Tina Snow] mentioned ‘hot girl summer,’ I don’t think this is what she meant.” 

New Mexicans didn’t buy what Heinrich and Stansbury are selling. 

“This summer is no hotter than many summers past. Educate yourself,” one person wrote to Stansbury. Well-documented scientific figures attest to this argument disproving the Democrat.

One person wrote to Heinrich, “And the mega drought that drove out the cliff dwellers was also caused by the Republicans?” The account added, “It’s all cycles upon cycles. Some last a few years, some last centuries or millennia.” 

“You have been in elected office for 15 years. For 6 of those years you were a member of the party that controlled both houses of congress. Quit pretending that one party is responsible for anything as complex as the earth’s climate.  Have your intern step away from the [T]witter,” another chimed in.

Heinrich and Stansbury fervently back far-left Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocazio-Cortez’s (D-NY) “Green New Deal,” as well as far-left Democrat New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s version, the “Energy Transition Act.” 

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