As a career prosecutor, I have a deep understanding not only of how our criminal statutes work, but also of the personal toll crime takes on families. For years, I have witnessed the devastation caused when loved ones are lost to violent crime. That loss, and the pain left behind, is what drove me to run for office. Simply put, I know what needs to change in our laws to prevent more people from becoming victims.
This year, however, it has become increasingly clear why New Mexico remains so dangerous. What follows may sound like “insider baseball,” but it is critical to understanding the problem.
The Legislature, dominated by progressive lawmakers, controls who serves on each committee. Bills dealing with public safety and crime are almost always referred to the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee, or CPAC. That committee is made up of four Democrats and two Republicans. CPAC is where good public safety bills go to die.
Why? Because the four Democrats who serve on that committee are fundamentally opposed to keeping dangerous individuals off our streets. Their focus is not on protecting victims or preventing crime, but on theories about why people commit crimes, second chances, and the so-called “prison industrial complex,” rather than on what lawmakers can do right now to keep communities safe. It is no exaggeration to say that CPAC is a major reason New Mexico is so dangerous.
Don’t get me wrong, I believe in rehabilitation and addressing root causes. But as a prosecutor, I understand that the other side of that coin is accountability. Both are necessary. Unfortunately, the progressive women who control CPAC do not share that view.
As a result, bills that strengthen penalties, close revolving-door loopholes, and promote accountability are routinely tabled. They are denied a hearing in a second committee. They never reach the House or Senate floor for debate. Time and again, four progressive lawmakers on CPAC shut them down.
These four legislators are single handedly making decisions for two million residents. They do not care what polling says, nor do they seem to care when they hear the same devastating stories that I have heard for years as a prosecutor. Four people whose values on public safety simply do not align with the majority of this state, yet hold complete control.
During the last interim, House and Senate Republicans convened two public safety task force meetings, one in Albuquerque focused on crime, and another in Las Cruces addressing juvenile violent crime. At both meetings, we heard from fellow lawmakers, district attorneys, the Governor’s Office, victim advocates, educators, and others.
The message was clear: New Mexico must do more to keep people safe. These meetings didn’t just bring communities together across party lines; they produced common-sense legislation that should have broad support. Yet none of that work matters to the progressives who control CPAC.
The CPAC problem is real. Radical ideologies on public safety are blocking meaningful reform; reforms that would protect you and your family. That will not change until the public demands accountability. New Mexicans already know we have a crime problem. Now you know why.
State Rep. Andrea Reeb of Clovis represents New Mexico House District 64, which comprises Chaves, Curry, and Roosevelt Counties since 2023.
These 4 should be in Minneapolis.
Thank you Rep Reeb. It helps to know how & why the legislature works(or doesn’t). Either the grassroots demands something be done or we continue be as we are.
Let’s name names –
House CPAC: Representatives:
Joanne J Ferrary (D) District 37 – Chair
Angelico Rubio (D) District 35 – Vice Chair
Andrea Romero (D) District 46 – Member
Elizabeth “Liz” Thompson (D) District 24 – Member
Stefani Lord (R) District 22 – Ranking Member
John Block (R) District 51 – Member
THANK YOU.
WE are hopeful since Ferrary is not running again this year, we can get someone with Common Sense in her place!!
Romero is the absolute worst. A vile woke leftist lib snake.
why write an article calling out 4 democrats while not naming them ? that is the typical cop out we get from repubs. Name the democrats or dont write the article. quit let them being anonymous to voters. no wonder repubs keep losing in NM.
These 4 make up New Mexico’s “Squad.”
Four henchmen of NM. We the public are exhausted from demanding accountability only to have it constantly fall on deaf ears and closed minds.
We need to educate our voters and the “squad” named above. I was on APD for 36 years and saw first hand the misery that goes along with being one of the worst states for violent crime in the US. See http://www.abqcrimeblues.com to read my “ABQ Blues” book to gain some insight into why we are so bad (no charge) and what we can do to fix our problems. For starters:
1) We need to repeal and replace our 2016 “mostly no bail” constitutional amendment and replace with the federal equivalent which protects the public first.
2) We need to restore “qualified immunity” for law enforcement. Law enforcement is unique in public service requiring slit second, life threatening, response in some cases. Mistakes will be made without willful misconduct. Officers are only human after all. Otherwise, only a fool would apply to be in NM law enforcement.
I beg to differ…
The reason is NOT CPAC — It’s who is BEHIND the Dem Members !!
EMERGE is the PROBLEM !!
EMERGE is the PROBLEM !!
EMERGE is the PROBLEM !!
EMERGE is the PROBLEM !!
Joanne J Ferrary (D) District 37 – Chair
EMERGE Alumnus 2013
Angelico Rubio (D) District 35 – Vice Chair
EMERGE Alumnus 2013
Andrea Romero (D) District 46 – Member
EMERGE Alumnus 2018
Elizabeth “Liz” Thompson (D) District 24 – Member
EMERGE Alumnus 2009
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Copy this list to a document on your computer.
That way you can SEARCH and IDENTIFY — EMERGE ALUMNI
====================================================
EMERGE LIST OF ALUMNI
CLASS OF 2025
Abby Foster
Alicia Gilmore
Brenna Clani-Washinawatok
Carolina Barrera
Caroline Zamora
Denise Thomas
Elizabeth Silva
Isez Roybal
Jannette Mondragón
Jessica Shelton
Jordan Machin
Paige Ryan
Katherine Isaacson
Kirsten Dick
Kristin Wood-Hegner
Lashawna Tso
Magdalena “Lena” Kephart
Rose Osborne
Sila Avcil
Theresa Hacsi
Vanessa Ordoñez
Veronica Krupnick
Victoria Martinez
CLASS OF 2023
Aaliyah Quintana
Abi Olvera
Bronwen Murray
Cecilia Pinon
Chriselle Martinez
Rep. Cristina Parajón
Diana Garcia
Ericka Van Eckhoutte
Feliz Medina
Heather Berghmans
Janelle Astorga Ramos
Jessie Damazyn
Juliana Hernandez
Kaity Ellis
Lisa Cacari Stone
Mayane Barudin
Mayra Valtierrez
Michelle Kavanaugh
Michelle Sandoval
Nancy Stephens
Cllr. Nichole Rogers
Penny Gilbert
Ramona Morales
Rep. Flor Yanira Gurrola Valenzuela
Ronalda Tome-Warito
Sarah Jacobs
Silvia Delgado
Stephanie Salazar
Valerie Torrez
CLASS OF 2022
Aanika Mike
Ahtza Chavez
Alesia Durán
Amber Morning Star Byars
Amira Rasheed
Anita Bringas
Charlotte Little
Claire McDaniel
Crystal Lees
Estela Hernandez
Jessica Martinez
Jessica Streeter
Julie Radoslovich
Kasandra Gandara
Katherine Wray
Kathleen Cates
Melanee Hand
Olga Serafimova
Rebecca Duffin
Sara Samani
Valeria Ojeda-Avitia
Vicky Estrada-Bustillo
Whitney Holland
CLASS OF 2021
Alma Roberson
Anita Gonzales
Ashley Naughton
Barbara Baca
Barbara Clinton
Barbara Jordan
Blanca Ontiveros
Brenda McKenna
Britt Baca-Miller
Brittany Barreras
Bunnie Cruse
Cecilia Webb
Desirae Shorter
Diana Torres Valverde
Elisa Montoya
Farinaz Khan
Haley Munoz
Heather Benavidez
Jennifer DeLaney
Jordan Oglesby
Kateri Jojola
Melissa Cervantes
Sheryl Means
Sofia Sanchez
Songtree Pioche
Sonya Struck
Stefanie Vigil
Susan Quintana
Tara Martin Lopez
Virginia Hicks
Yajayra Gonzalez
CLASS OF 2020
Amber Quintana
Aurora Valdez
Carson Hounshell
Cecy Velasco
Corilia Orteg
Corrina Feldman
Courtney Komes
Deborah Dapson
Elaine Lujan
Ellie Rushforth
Ernestina Cruz
Florence Castillo
Gloria Doherty
Jana Pfeiffer
Janelle Anyanonu
Jazmin Irazoqui-Ruiz
Kathleen McGarry Ellenwood
Kristina Ortez
“Lan” Thahn-Lan Sena
Laura Childress
Lisa Chavez Ortega
Maribel Tellez
Marlene Yanez
Meredith Dixon
Naomi Maestas
Nichole Medina-Stone
Noreen Kelly
Norma Hartell
Patricia Trujillo
Rachael Maestas
Roslynn Gallegos
Shannon Pinto
Veronica Hill
CLASS OF 2019
Alexandria Piland
Alissa Barnes
Amanda Askin
Amanda Sanchez Villalobo
Amber Chavez Baker
Andrea Gunderson
AnJanette Brush
Arlean Murillo
Barbara Ogushi-Rivera
Brittany Maldonado Malott
Camilla Bustamante
Carmen Gonzales
Casey DeRaad
Charlotte Madueno
Claudia Risner
Connie Trujillo
Corina Castillo
Debra Hathaway
Emilie De Angelis
Erica Davis Crump
Erika Harding
Erin O’Connell
Estelle Berger
Flora Lucero
Gabrielle Begay
Griselda Martinez
Hannah Wood
Jacqui Boyd
Jennifer Manzanares
Julie Brenning
Kendra Zacharias
Leah Stevens-Block
Linda Stover
Lindsey Bachman
Liza Yazzie
Mandana Shoushtari
Margaret Lusk
Marian Matthews
Marivel Medel
Mary Ann Maestas
Maurreen Skowran
Melissa Kennelly
Rachel McHugh
Rayellen Smith
Rebecca Avitia
Rebecca Puck Stair
Sascha Anderson
Shannon Bulman
Sherry Spitzer
Siah Correa Hemphill
Sradha Patel
Stephanie Russo Baca
Stephanie Telles
Susan Muraida
Tina Archuleta
Tracy Perry
Tracy Winslow
Victoria Gonzales
Wende Schwingendorf
Yshelle Silva-Caldwell
2019 BOOT CAMP
Amanda Sanchez Villalobo
Amber Chavez Baker
Claudia Risner
Connie Trujillo
Julie Brenning
Linda Stover
Marian Matthews
Melissa Kennelly
Rebecca Puck Stair
CLASS OF 2018
Alegra Roybal
Ana Moran
Andrea Romero
Billie Helean
Charlene Pyskoty
Cheryl Ford
Christine Bernstein
Cindy Provencio
Cristina Olds
Danika Padilla
Dayan Hochman
Micaela Lara Cadena
Edwina Cisneros
Erin Marshall
Glenna Voigt
Hailey Josselyn
Heidi Todacheene
Jane Yohalem
Janene Yazzie
Jennifer McMath
Jody Pugh
Johana Bencomo
Judith Edwards
Judy Calman
Karen Canady Whitlock
Kate Kennedy
Katie Nishida
Kyra Ellis-Moore
Leah Baczkiewicz
Linda Serrato
Madeline Hildebrandt
Megan Duffy
Melani Buchanan Farmer
Melissa Ontiveros
Melissa Pacheco-Armijo
Nancy Savage
Neomi Parra
Renee Villarreal
Sahra Saedi
Sandy Buffett
Sasha Lujan
Sharla Parsons
Sydney Tellez
Teresa Tenorio
Tessa Abeyta-Stuve
Yolanda Montoya-Cordova
2018 BOOT CAMP
Christine Chandler
Elizabeth Allen
Jessica Velasquez
Karen Trujillo
Katherine Bruch
Linda Gallegos
Mary Schildmeyer
Paula Garcia
Sara Scott
Xochitl Torres Small
CLASS OF 2017
Adriann Barboa
Angelica Anaya Allen
Anne Pierce-Jones
Antoinette Reyes
Barbara Felix
Cristina Martinez
Debra Burke
Desirée Bernard
Gina Dennis
Hilda Sanchez
Jane Levy
Kate Noble
Kate Telis
Katharine Clark
Kristina Bogardus
Kristina Caffrey
Lauren Keefe
Lelia Hood
Linda Alvarez
Melanie Stansbury
Michelle Pauline Abeyta
Nayomi Valdez
Rose Griego-Kiel
Sharmin Dharas
Tabatha Bennett
CLASS OF 2016
Amy Sirignano
Anna Hamilton
Becky Corran
Cathryn Abeyta
Chanin Kelly
Cindy Nava
Cynthia Aragon
Danila Zidovsky
Debbie Sarinana
Denise Lang
Erin Armstrong
Joy Garratt
Karen Whitlock
Kristin Henderson
Lisa Gover
Maria Sanchez-Gagne
Mayra Acevedo
Natalie Figueroa
Neomi Gilmore
Patty Keane
Tania Sanchez
CLASS OF 2015
Alicia Edwards
Andrea Cunningham
Ane Romero
Carrie Hamblen
Cynthia Hall
Debra Ramirez
Diana Murillo
Francesca Blueher
Jennifer Attrep
Jessica Martinez
Laura Horton
Mara Salcido-Alcantar
Marianna Anaya
Mary Clark
MaryAnn Hendrickson
N. Lynn Perls
Nonabah Sam
Sara Melton
Sharon Jackson
Sonya Romero
Susan O’Leary
CLASS OF 2014
Alexis Jimenez
Anna Hansen
Belinda Deneen Wallace
Catherine Begaye
Deborah Gray
Doreen Wonda Johnson
Erin Engelbrecht
Jacqueline Medina
Joan Marie Sandy
Julie Vargas
Lori Bencoe
Maggie Hart Stebbins
Maria Gallegos
Michelle Blake
MIchelle Peacock
Nancy Bearce
Nancy Franchini
Patricia Gay-Webb
Rose Ann Vasquez
Stefanie Weber
Tanya Giddings
Teresa Smith de Cherif
Trish Lopez
CLASS OF 2013
Angelica Rubio
Ann Barudin
Carmen Lopez
Caroline Bass
Courtney Weaks
Dell Washington
Diale Fomukong
Elizabeth Bardwell
Genevieve Mitchell
Jennifer Burrill
Joanne Ferrary
Latifah Phillips
Marg (Margaret) Elliston
Mariaelena Johnson
Marie Julienne
Merrie Lee Soules
P. Cholla Khoury
Pam Cordova
Patricia Galindo
Shiloh Taylor
Sylvia LaMar
Virginia Perez-Ortega
CLASS OF 2012
Barbara Vigil
Darly Barkley
Deborah Zamora-Martinez
Diane Gibson
Emily Kane
Kimberly Johnston
Leticia Delgado
Lovie McGee
Mary Ellen Broderick
Melanie Viramontes
Natalie Armijo
Paula Fisher
Sharon Goldberg
Susan Scott
Tara Lujan
Taylor Grisham
CLASS OF 2011
Alicia Feil
Alicia Manzano
Amelia Nelson
Andrea Vigil
Anna Nelson
Annette Arvizu
Cara Valente-Compton
Cynthia Chavers
Eloise Gift
Ganesha Martin
Guadalupe Cano
Katy Duhigg
Leslie Grady McAhren
Linda Sanchez Allison
Marjorie Germain
Martha Chicoski
Mary Jo Jaramillo
Nicolette Dennis
Sabiha Quraishi
Stephanie Maez
CLASS OF 2010
Anjali Taneja
Beatrice Brickhouse
Clara Moran
Deborah Armstrong
Dorene Kuffer
Georgene Louis
Jessica Jaramillo
Kelly Stout Sanchez
Leslie Kelly
Linda Trujillo
Marie Sisi Miranda
Mary McCoy
Melissa Coleman
Nancy Baca
Shammara Henderson
Trina Raper
Willow Parks
CLASS OF 2009
Ana Canales
Cindy Padilla
Cornelia Lange
Dallas Timmons
Dorothy Temer
Elizabeth Armijo
Frances Brummett
Idalia Lechuga-Tena
Kim Bannerman
Laura Vega
Lissa Knudsen
Liz Thomson
Lora Lucero
Nicole Moss
Quiana Salazar-King
Stacey Ward
Stephanie Hanosh
CLASS OF 2008
Alejandra Nava
Angela Reynolds
Catherine Jabar
Diana Montoya-Boyer
Erika Anderson
Hazel Mella
Helen Maestas
Julie Lucero
Justine Eldridge
Kelley Allen
Lisa McNiven
Loretta Naranjo Lopez
Miriam Diemer
Nancy Denker
Reena Szczepanski
Rosemary Cosgrove-Aguilar
Sara Attleson
Stephanie Garcia Richard
Yvette Ammerman
CLASS OF 2007
Adelamar Alcantara
Debra Haaland
Erica Bearman
Esteli Juarez
Heather Ferguson
Jennifer Chavez
Karen Giannini
Laverne Ellerbe
Laverne Thomas-Wyaco
Mercy DeMenno
Patricia Roybal Caballero
Roxanne Lara
Sarah Saucedo
CLASS OF 2006
Amanda Wang
Angela Chavez-Adkins
Anjanette Estrellas
Betsy Salcedo
Catherine Carr
Christina Argyres
Elizabeth Garcia
Francine Chavez
Gretchen Elsner
Janice Saxton
Kateri Garcia
Laura Sanchez-Rivet
Maija West
Marie Ward
Michelle Mares
Sandy Barnhart Y Chavez
Shannon Enright Smith
Tatiana Engelmann-Corp
Terri Holland
Valerie Vigil Quintana
Wanda Danley