Gabe Vasquez

Vasquez promotes defunding ICE after vote against Laken Riley Act

Democrat U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez from the Second Congressional District has come under fire for using his taxpayer-funded congressional office to promote materials from the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), an organization advocating for the defunding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Vasquez’s actions were highlighted just as he voted against the Laken Riley Act, a proposed measure aimed at bolstering border security. All three members of New Mexico’s delegation, including Vasquez, Teresa Leger Fernandez, and Melanie Stansbury, voted against the commonsense legislation. 

Vasquez shared the NIJC’s “Know Your Rights” toolkit on his official congressional account. This resource, aimed at guiding undocumented migrants on avoiding deportation, includes strategies for identifying law enforcement officers and declining cooperation with immigration officials. Critics argue that these tactics enable migrants to evade lawful detention and deportation efforts.

The NIJC, whose mission includes dismantling ICE and CBP, is clear in its stance against immigration enforcement. Their social media campaigns, such as the “#DefundHate” initiative, call for an end to Title 42 and advocate for the release of detained individuals. Screenshots of their website and social media posts showcase their explicit coaching of migrants on circumventing federal law enforcement.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) quickly condemned Vasquez’s promotion of the NIJC’s toolkit. Ben Petersen, an NRCC spokesperson, stated, “Gabe Vasquez betrayed voters and showed he’ll never secure the border. New Mexicans demand a representative who will secure the border, not this radical using his office to aid and abet illegal migrants.”

Petersen’s remarks underscore the NRCC’s position that Vasquez’s alignment with organizations like the NIJC undermines national security and contradicts his responsibility as a public official.

Vasquez’s promotion of the NIJC’s materials comes at a time when border communities in New Mexico are grappling with increased migration and strained resources. Critics argue that by opposing the Laken Riley Act, Vasquez signaled a lack of commitment to addressing these challenges. The bill, aimed at enhancing enforcement and border infrastructure, has received support from border-state Republicans seeking more robust measures to manage migration.

Supporters of Vasquez, however, claim that the NIJC toolkit is an essential resource for migrants seeking to understand their rights under U.S. law. They argue that ensuring humane treatment and protecting constitutional rights does not equate to endorsing illegal activity.

Vasquez’s promotion of the NIJC toolkit and his voting record on immigration enforcement have sparked questions about where his priorities lie and how they align with the needs of his district, especially as he attempted to rebrand himself as moderate during the last election.

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All of NM’s US House reps. back criminal aliens, vote against ‘Laken Riley Act’

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Laken Riley Act on Tuesday, marking the first major legislation approved by the 119th Congress. The bill, named after a Georgia nursing student tragically killed by an illegal immigrant, seeks to bolster public safety by tightening immigration enforcement measures. Despite its widespread bipartisan support, New Mexico’s entire Democratic House delegation—Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez, Gabe Vasquez, and Melanie Stansbury—voted against the measure, prioritizing policies that benefit criminal aliens over the safety of their constituents.

The bill passed with a 264 to 159 vote, earning the backing of all voting Republicans and 48 Democrats. This represents an increase in Democratic support compared to last year’s vote on the legislation, signaling growing bipartisan concern over immigration enforcement failures. “We welcome with open arms any Democrat who wants to help us solve these problems because the American people demand and deserve it,” House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said ahead of the vote.

The Laken Riley Act requires Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain illegal immigrants convicted of theft-related crimes and grants states the authority to sue the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for harm caused by federal immigration policies. Proponents argue that the bill is a necessary step to hold the Biden administration accountable for its perceived leniency on border security.

“It’s striking that one of Gabe Vasquez’s first votes in Congress is against keeping New Mexico families safe. Vasquez wants an America where illegal migrants can murder, rape or steal without fear of punishment,” wrote the National Republican Congressional Committee’s Will Reinert.

“Today, Gabe Vasquez proved to New Mexicans that their safety and well-being is not his priority,” said Congressional Leadership Fund Regional Press Secretary Maureen O’Toole. “What will it take for Vasquez to protect New Mexico families and take border security seriously?”

“House Republicans won’t stop fighting to secure the border and protect American communities,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., said. “When will Democrats finally decide enough is enough?” Scalise emphasized that the bill directly addresses the tragic consequences of lax immigration policies, such as the murder of Laken Riley.

Jose Ibarra, the illegal immigrant convicted of Riley’s murder, had a history of prior arrests but was never detained by ICE. This failure to act, critics say, underscores systemic flaws in federal immigration enforcement. Rep. Mike Collins, R-Ga., who introduced the bill, called the measure a “commonsense” approach to protecting American lives.

Despite these arguments, Reps. Leger Fernandez, Vasquez, and Stansbury sided with the majority of their party in opposing the legislation. Their votes have sparked criticism from New Mexicans who view the bill as a straightforward measure to enhance public safety, and their votes resonate even louder since New Mexico is a border state. By opposing the act, the delegation has chosen to align with policies that prioritize illegal immigrants over the well-being of law-abiding citizens.

“I think they put politics ahead of principle,” Speaker Johnson said of Democrats who opposed the bill last year. The same criticism is now being directed at New Mexico’s representatives, who are accused of turning their backs on constituents concerned about rising crime and border insecurity.

The Laken Riley Act’s passage comes amid broader Republican efforts to reintroduce border security legislation as the party takes control of both chambers of Congress. The Senate is expected to vote on the measure later this week, potentially setting up a showdown with Joe Biden, whose administration has faced sharp criticism over its immigration policies.

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Two of NM’s US House reps. reject deporting illegal alien pedos, killers

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act, a bill introduced by Republican Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina. 

This legislation mandates the deportation or inadmissibility of illegal immigrants convicted of sex offenses, domestic violence, stalking, child abuse, or violating protection orders. The measure passed with a 266-158 vote, with every Republican and 51 Democrats in favor, while 158 Democrats opposed it.

Among New Mexico’s delegation, Rep. Gabe Vasquez was the sole vote in favor of the bill. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez and Melanie Stansbury voted against the measure, joining the majority of their Democratic colleagues in opposition.

The bill, which has sparked intense debate, comes at a time when immigration policies remain a contentious issue. Proponents, including Rep. Mace, argue the legislation addresses safety concerns, specifically targeting individuals convicted of heinous crimes. 

In a statement provided to Newsweek, Mace criticized opponents, saying, “158 Left-wing members of Congress just voted against deporting rapists, pedophiles, and murderers of women and kids.”

Opponents, however, contend that the bill unfairly targets immigrants and could have unintended consequences for survivors of domestic violence. Representative Pramila Jayapal, a vocal critic, stated during the debate, “Scapegoating immigrants and attempting to weaponize the crime of domestic violence is appearing to be a time-honored tradition for Republicans.” She also warned that the bill might deter survivors from coming forward due to fears of deportation.

As the bill moves to the Senate, the votes of New Mexico’s representatives highlight the state’s varied perspectives on immigration and crime policy. While Vasquez’s vote may appeal to constituents favoring stricter immigration enforcement, Leger Fernandez and Stansbury’s opposition reflects a commitment to safeguarding immigrant rights and seeking comprehensive reforms.

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Shady mailer seeks to spew last-minute disinfo about Herrell ahead of election

As the race for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District tightens between Republican former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell and far-left Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez, outside groups are trying to drop last-minute disinformation about Herrell into the district before Election Day.

In the last couple of days, voters have received mailers from a group calling itself the “Center for Voter Information,” which is a leftist dark money 501(c)(4) advocacy group well-known for helping Democrats with deceptive mailers against Republicans.

The group’s mailer, from longtime Democrat campaign strategist Tom Lopach, reads, “The Center for Voter Information provides important election information to voters like you across the country. We asked voters in New Mexico what they would like to know about the candidates for U.S. House of Representatives running in the election on Tuesday, November 5. The candidates in your district are Democrat Gabe Vasquez and Republican Yvette Herrell.” 

It then lists three topic areas: “Supporting Small Business Programs,” “Checks on Gun Purchases,” and “Cutting Social Security and Medicare.”

The group claims Herrell does not support small businesses, referencing 2022’s H.B. 5376, which was Democrats’ bill to increase taxes and put $80 million into the IRS to hire thousands of new agents to come after American taxpayers. The bill was entirely supported by Democrats, with not a single Republican voting for it. To claim Vasquez supports small businesses, the mailer vaguely references an August 12, 2022, X post from the Democrat supporting the legislation Herrell opposed due to its fiscal irresponsibility and its harm to small businesses.

On the contrary, Herrell has won awards from small business groups in New Mexico during her time in the Legislature and in the U.S. Congress. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), the nation’s leading small business advocacy organization, has endorsed Herrell.

“Yvette Herrell has been a proven advocate for small businesses,” said Jason Espinoza, NFIB New Mexico State Director. “Herrell deeply understands small business issues and was a consistent leader in advocating for and protecting small business interests during her time in Congress. This includes deregulation and making small business tax relief permanent. We know Yvette Herrell will continue these efforts to help small businesses both in New Mexico and across the country, and we are proud to endorse her today.”

“During her time in Congress, Yvette Herrell held a 100% NFIB Voting Record and proved to be a strong ally of small business,” said Sharon Sussin, NFIB Senior National Political Director. “Her record of supporting pro-small business legislation speaks to her dedication to helping Main Street grow and we are proud to endorse her today.”

Under “Checks on Gun Purchases,” CVI’s mailer references an extremist anti-gun bill that Herrell opposed while also referencing Vasquez’s support for unconstitutional attacks on New Mexicans’ Second Amendment rights. The bill referenced 2022’s S.B. 2938, massively increased background checks to make buying firearms harder for Americans, and created unconstitutional “red flag” laws on the federal level. 

Under “Cutting Social Security and Medicare,” the group falsely wrote that Herrell supported cutting them, which is patently false, referring to a constitutional amendment aiming to balance the budget, similar to the one New Mexico already has. It claims Vasquez opposes a balanced budget amendment, and Herrell supports it. CVI writes that passing such an amendment “would almost certainly result in drastic cuts to Social Security and Medicare,” which again is a false statement.

Ironically, at the end of the mailer, Lopach writes, “A candidate’s position is sometimes more complicated than a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ We have done our best to represent each candidate in a fair and reasonable way,” despite deceiving voters on Herrell’s record. 

According to Influence Watch, “As of September 2020, CVI and VPC have generated 939,000 registration applications and 2 million vote-by-mail applications for the 2020 election. 1 These applications are generally targeted towards demographic groups which tend to support the Democratic Party, and have been extensively criticized by state-level officials.”

The group has also gotten in hot water over its work to support partisan causes, which were revealed in multiple sources, such as Sasha Issenberg’s book, “The Victory Lab: The Secret Science of Winning Campaigns.” Issenberg writes, “Even though the group was officially nonpartisan, for tax purposes, there was no secret that the goal of all its efforts was to generate new votes for Democrats.” CVI also has deep ties to the Clinton Foundation.

The Influence Watch report further noted, “The Center for Voter Information makes ‘independent expenditures’ for or against candidates each election cycle. In the 2020 election CVI spent $533,820 in support of Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden (D-DE), and no funds for other candidates.”

It is important for voters to independently verify information about candidates and their positions ahead of the election, which will be held on November 5, and be wary of seemingly innocuous groups’ mailers trashing candidates without verifying the information for accuracy and truth. 

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Police report: Vasquez once threatened to ‘kill and bury’ fellow NMSU student

Far-left Democrat New Mexico U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, currently running for re-election in one of the most closely contested House races in the nation, has faced scrutiny over past incidents that have resurfaced during his campaign. 

According to a police report from 2005, Vasquez, then a college student at New Mexico State University, threatened to “kill” and “bury” another student during an argument. Vasquez admitted to making a phone call that could be considered threatening but explained that he was distraught over the condition of a close friend who had succumbed to alcohol poisoning at a party. He later apologized, and the issue was resolved without further action from the authorities.

This isn’t the only time Vasquez has faced controversies related to his interactions with law enforcement. In 2005, a police report claimed he used a racial slur during a dispute with a former employer, though Vasquez denied these allegations, stating, “I have not and would never use language like this.”

Further complicating his political narrative, Vasquez has been linked to a 2005 arrest following a noise complaint, where he allegedly tried to dispose of marijuana before being detained by police. Additionally, in 2002, he was charged for driving without insurance in El Paso, Texas, leading to a warrant that remained active until 2008, when he finally addressed it by posting bond.

These incidents have added fuel to Herrell’s campaign, which argues that Vasquez’s actions and statements reveal a pattern of erratic behavior. “Threats to kill and bury someone should not be glossed over,” Herrell stated. “This is extremely dangerous and unhinged behavior from Gabe Vasquez.”

In the past, Vasquez has also been vocal on the issue of police reform. During the 2020 George Floyd protests, he appeared on a local news segment and expressed support for “defunding a system that privileges White people.” However, he later clarified that he did not support defunding the police directly, saying, “I oppose defunding the police… I repeatedly voted to increase funding for the police and partnered with them, while supporting common sense reforms.”

With the election approaching, the race between Vasquez and Herrell remains one to watch, with both sides using the candidate’s history to appeal to their base and sway undecided voters. Read the police report via Fox News here.

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‘Chicken Little’: Gabe Vasquez refuses to debate Yvette Herrell

In a recent development in the race for New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, tensions escalated as Republican candidate Yvette Herrell and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) criticized Democrat far-left Rep. Gabe Vasquez for his refusal to participate in a scheduled debate. The debate, which was to be hosted by KOB-TV on October 16th, would have featured both candidates, offering voters an opportunity to hear directly from the contenders about their policies and campaign positions.

The NRCC released a statement labeling Vasquez’s decision as “cowardly,” using strong language to accuse him of avoiding accountability. The committee referred to him as “Chicken Little Gabe Vasquez,” and claimed he is hiding from New Mexican voters due to his stance on border security and law enforcement issues. Delanie Bomar, a spokeswoman for the NRCC, stated, “Chicken Gabe Vasquez is hiding from New Mexicans instead of addressing his extreme policies and behavior. Voters deserve so much more than the lies and cowardice from Chicken Little Gabe Vasquez.” The statement from the NRCC also highlighted past controversies involving Vasquez, pointing to what they described as an “arrest record” and his use of a racial slur in the past, though these allegations have not been independently verified.

Meanwhile, Herrell’s campaign released its own statement, expressing disappointment at Vasquez’s refusal to debate. Herrell emphasized that voters in the Second District deserve to hear from both candidates so they can make informed decisions. “Gabe Vasquez refusing to debate is a slap in the face to the voters of the Second Congressional District,” Herrell stated. “It’s disappointing that instead of defending his extreme positions on defunding the police and softening border security, Gabe Vasquez has chosen to hide from the voters.”

Herrell confirmed her participation in the October 16th debate, stating that she is eager to make her case to voters, even if she has to do it without her opponent present. According to Herrell, her presence at the debate is intended to provide transparency and show her willingness to engage with the public, a move she believes Vasquez has failed to reciprocate.

The lack of a direct debate between the two candidates raises questions about how effectively voters will be able to compare their positions ahead of Election Day. While Vasquez has not yet commented publicly on his decision to decline the debate, his absence on the KOB-TV stage will likely be a point of contention throughout the remainder of the campaign.

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‘So radical, it’s dangerous’: Brutal new ad drops in CD-2 over Vasquez’s record

In a sharp escalation of political attacks, the Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF), a super PAC aligned with House Republican leadership, has launched a new ad campaign in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District. The ad focuses on Democratic Representative Gabe Vasquez and paints him as holding an extreme anti-police stance, echoing national GOP rhetoric on public safety and law enforcement.

The 30-second spot called “Writing,” focuses on Vasquez being part of a “radical” movement to defund the police, calling his policy positions on public safety “so radical, it’s dangerous.” 

Highlighting the message, the ad criticizes Vasquez for supporting measures that undermine law enforcement, suggesting that his stance could endanger communities. It uses emails, writings, and soundbites directly from his mouth about how he wants to defund the police, calling police officers perpetrators of a “system of oppression.”

The ad is part of a broader media blitz by CLF, which has launched similar ads in nine key battleground districts across the country. According to the CLF, the ads aim to highlight perceived failures of Democratic policies on public safety, illegal immigration, and the economy.

“Too many families are struggling under Democrats’ failed economic, anti-police, and open-border policies,” said CLF Communications Director Courtney Parella. “In just six weeks, voters will choose commonsense leaders who will help secure our border and ease the financial burden on hardworking Americans.”

This latest ad is expected to intensify the already competitive race between Vasquez and his Republican challenger, former Congresswoman Yvette Herrell, in a rematch from 2022. Public safety and law enforcement are critical issues in this southern New Mexico district, where crime rates and border security remain top concerns for voters.

With just weeks until the election, both sides are gearing up for an intense battle, and this new wave of ads signals that the GOP is ready to go all-in on the “defund the police” message.

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Republican momentum grows in key New Mexico races as campaigns heat up

Momentum is building for New Mexico Republicans as two high-profile races, for the U.S. Senate and the state’s Second Congressional District, show vital signs of GOP support in what has been considered a Democrat stronghold in recent years.

In a recent fundraising email, U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) rallied support for Republican U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici, who is challenging incumbent far-left Democrat Sen. Martin Heinrich. Lummis highlighted Domenici’s surprising rise in the polls, showing her within single digits of Heinrich, with 21% of voters still undecided. Domenici, daughter of former New Mexico U.S. Sen. Pete Domenici, has made waves by out-raising Heinrich in her first quarter, positioning New Mexico’s Senate race as a potential flip for Republicans.

Lummis emphasized Domenici’s dedication to core Republican issues, including securing borders, promoting economic stability, and boosting domestic energy production. “Nella has my full support, and she’s on the brink of taking the lead in a race Democrats never thought they would have to fight,” Lummis wrote. She called for grassroots mobilization to sustain Domenici’s momentum, urging donors to invest in what could be a pivotal contest for control of the U.S. Senate.

Meanwhile, in New Mexico’s Second Congressional District, Republican candidate Yvette Herrell is gaining ground in a tightly contested race against incumbent far-left Democrat Rep. Gabe Vasquez. Herrell’s campaign released polling numbers from The Tarrance Group showing her leading Vasquez 48% to 46%, with a 4.9% margin of error. Herrell attributed her lead to voters’ growing dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s policies and Vasquez’s alignment  with a “radical agenda.”

Herrell’s message to supporters emphasized the need to press on during this crucial phase of the campaign. “Momentum is on our side, but this is FAR from mission accomplished,” Herrell stated, warning that the Democrats would likely ramp up attacks as her lead grows. Herrell has positioned herself as a staunch opponent of what she describes as Vasquez’s “open borders” policies and his opposition to anti-inflationary measures.

Both Domenici and Herrell have capitalized on dissatisfaction with the current administration and incumbents like Heinrich and Vasquez. They’ve drawn attention to policies they claim are out of touch with New Mexicans’ priorities, including border security and economic management. With both races heating up, Republicans see a path to flipping key seats and gaining an edge in a state once considered solidly blue.

As these campaigns head into the final stretch, the eyes of the nation are on New Mexico, where Republicans believe they can turn a historically Democrat state into a battleground in the 2024 election.

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Vasquez campaign blows a gasket as Elon Musk’s PAC invests in NM CD-2

An Elon Musk-linked PAC called America PAC is targeting vulnerable Democrats, as reported by Business Insider.

The Tesla and X owner is spending “$86,997 in New Mexico’s 2nd district, where Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez faces former Republican Rep. Yvette Herrell,” the outlet reported. 

Federal Election Commission (FEC) documents show the entity is spending $2.1 million in the 14 most competitive U.S. House races. 

“There’s likely to be more where that came from. Punchbowl News reported on Monday that the PAC has set aside $10 million for “voter turnout” in House races around the country,” per Insider.

Following the news, Vasquez’s campaign sent out a panic-stricken email, claiming the PAC, which reports openly to the FEC, is a “dark money” group, claiming, “Republican dark money is FLOODING into NM-02 right now. MAGA extremists will stop at nothing to elect Yvette Herrell, establish their anti-choice MAGA agenda and relentlessly attack Gabe Vasquez.”

“Elon Musk’s America PAC has already spent over $55 MILLION to support Donald Trump, and now? They’re investing an ADDITIONAL $2.1 million to support MAGA extremists in competitive House races like Gabe’s,” his campaign continued.

The email concluded, “Gabe is a threat to their extremist anti-democratic agenda and that’s why their dark money is ENDLESSLY flooding our district,” despite Democrats installing their presidential nominee, Kamala Harris, without a single vote from the American people. 

It is unclear what the Democrats’ campaign believes is “extreme” about Herrell, who has a commonsense platform that includes protecting the border, fighting crime, and solving the inflation crisis created by Vasquez, Biden, and Harris. 

On the other hand, Vasquez believes in open borders, voted for illegal aliens to vote, and voted against anti-inflationary bills, as well as having a rap sheet of his own for his crimes. 

Vasquez, who squeaked out the smallest of wins in 2022, faces fierce competition from Herrell, a former state lawmaker and congresswoman for the Second District. 

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‘Carjackings every 2.5 days!’ NRCC rips Vasquez for soft-on-crime policies

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) has launched a new television advertisement targeting far-left Democrat Gabe Vasquez in New Mexico’s 2nd Congressional District (NM-02). 

The ad, which will be aired in both English and Spanish, focuses on rising crime rates in New Mexico, specifically carjackings, and accuses Vasquez of being lenient on criminals and supportive of efforts to defund the police.

According to the NRCC, the ad, titled “Carjackings,” says that carjackings in New Mexico have become increasingly frequent, with one occurring every two and a half days. The ad paints a picture of a state grappling with aggressive crime and links this surge to what it calls Vasquez’s soft stance on criminal justice. 

In particular, the advertisement criticizes Vasquez for attempting to reduce punishments for carjackings and even attempting to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for murder.

The ad’s message ties these allegations to broader criticisms of Vasquez’s stance on policing, framing him as a “radical” who wants to defund the police. A clip in the ad claims that Vasquez is not just advocating for the defunding of law enforcement but for dismantling the broader criminal justice system. The script closes with the statement, “Gabe Vasquez. Easy on criminals. Hard on the police.”

This advertisement is part of a larger, pre-planned advertising campaign by the NRCC, which has made a significant investment in NM-02 ahead of the upcoming election. 

The NRCC’s decision to focus its efforts in this district reflects its strategic interest in challenging the Democratic presence in the area. The ad is being disseminated across multiple platforms to reach both English and Spanish-speaking voters.

WATCH:

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