Editorials
Democrats Must Fight for Working People, Not the Elite
By Beau Sandoval, former Democratic candidate, Sandoval County Commission District 2 Four months after the election, the Democratic Party must confront difficult truths about its relationship with the working class. Once the clear-cut champions of everyday Americans,...
JOIN THE RESISTENCE
RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! RESIST! Feel sad when you reflect back on Nov 5th?Feel discouraged as we move toward Jan 7th, 2025?Get angry when you hear about another incompetent, shady character selected by Trump for his cabinet?Think,...
MISS INFORMATION – Democrats Are Totally Unprepared for the MAGA Disinformation Machine
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Democratic losses in 2024 were fueled by a tsunami of right-wing propaganda. Disinformation on wedge issues like guns, LBTQ+ people, immigration, and abortion, along with lies about the economy and inflation, was force fed to voters like...
MISS INFORMATION – Vote These Extreme Republican Incumbents Out of Office
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Three highly-qualified Sandoval County Democrats are facing Republican incumbents who have done little to improve the lives of their constituents but much to make it harder. The Democratic candidates are: Amina...
IN MY HUMBLE OPINION
As Chair of the Democratic Party of Sandoval County, I hear many ideas, suggestions, and criticisms, and 99% of the time, it is given kindly – as if people want to see Democrats in our county do better. Unfortunately, this was not the case this week. Many of us...
MISS INFORMATION – Republicans Are the Pro-Misogyny Party
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Re-printed from the Rio Rancho Observer with permission. At the presidential debate, Trump stated, “And as far as the abortion ban, no, I'm not in favor of [an] abortion ban.” This statement is deceptive. Antiabortion lawmakers and...
Trump Blames Biden And Harris For Second Assassination Attempt
This Coming From One With History Of Wishing And Promoting Violence On Others On September 15, former President Donald Trump was the target of a second attempted assassination. The incident began around 1:30 p.m. ET on the Trump International golf course where...
Polling at the Top of the Ticket in New Mexico
Dem candidates at the top of the ticket look strong going into the Nov 2024 election. According to a major poll released in mid September, we see the following. Race for President Harris/Walz - 49%Trump/Vance - 39% This difference of 10 points is very...
DPNM Statement on Kamala Harris Securing Democratic Nomination for President (Aug 2nd, 2024)
Today, Kamala Harris officially became the Democratic Party’s nominee for President after it was announced she had already received most of the Democratic National Convention delegates' virtual vote which started yesterday. All 45 members of the New Mexico delegation...
Trump Is A Racist Not Fit To Be President
On July 3, Republican Presidential nominee Donald Trump in a 30-minute wide-ranging Question and Answer event before the National Association of Black Journalists Annual Convention, took racial swipes at Vice President Kamala Harris by challenging her racial...
MISS INFORMATION – Republicans Are Building an Election Subversion War Machine
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary With Kamala Harris and Tim Walz on the ticket, Democrats are energized and hopeful. We are now engaged in the hard work of ensuring they get elected along with all other Democrats up and down the ballot. However, even if we win the...
President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund Condemns Nella’s “Blatant Attempt to Mislead Voters”
Domenici’s Ad is Funded by Anti-Choice Politicians Who Want to Pass a National Abortion Ban After news broke that the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) is bankrolling a new ad for Nella Domenici, multimillionaire former hedge fund executive and Mitch...
Who Are the Trump Chumps?
If we drew a portrait of a typical Trump Chump, it would not be a pretty one. Instead we would see an angry, old, white, man. Based on the demographic characteristics of people who voted for Trump in 2020, we see the following: Men 53% White 58% Over Age 65 52%...
Trump and Violence
Trump Assassination Attempt Makes Him The Victim Of Violence He Has Wished Upon Others; Trump’s Extensive History Of Inciting Violence On July 13, former President Donald Trump became the target of an assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally. The video images...
MISS INFORMATION – Who is Nella Domenici? Here Are Some Answers
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Nella Domenici is a carpetbagger. Following a 50 year absence, she swooped back into New Mexico four years ago after being recruited by MAGA Republicans to run against Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich. Before returning to New Mexico for...
Project 2025 Is Conservative Blue Print For A Second Trump Administration
What Project 2025 Represents And What’s At Stake If Trump Wins A Second Term On July 9, 2024, the CBS national news agency published on line the following report written by its staff reporters Melissa Quinn and Jacob Rosen entitled “What Is Project 2025; What To...
A Tale of Two Candidates: Domenici vs. Heinrich
Profiles of Nella Domenici and Martin Heinrich Highlight Stark Contrasts Ahead of Senate Election In dueling profiles of Nella Domenici and Senator Martin Heinrich, published on subsequent Sundays in the Albuquerque Journal, a clear picture of the choice facing voters...
US Supreme Court Rules Trump Has Broad Immunity From Criminal Prosecution
Key Take Aways; Supreme Court Creates “A King Above The Law”; Commentary And Analysis “[On July 1] The Supreme Court handed down a landmark decision granting Donald Trump partial immunity from special counsel Jack Smith’s election subversion case, handing the former...
Democratic Party of New Mexico Reacts to Primary Election
DPNM Looks Ahead to the 2024 Statewide Campaign The Democratic Party of New Mexico released the following statement on New Mexico’s primary election: “Once again, Democrats are fielding a strong slate of candidates in the general election with strong records of...
The Death of Hypocrisy
Hypocrisy: The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense. Oxford English Dictionary Hypocrite: A person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings. Merriam-Webster...
BODILY AUTONOMY IS ALSO A MEN’S ISSUE
When we talk about our US Constitution’s Bill of Rights, nothing is more personal to each of us than our own right to control over our own bodies. When legislation is passed that limits any persons’ rights over their own body, those same laws can be turned around and...
Der Führer Trump’s Radical Second-Term Agenda; Promises To Wield Executive Power In Unprecedented Ways; An Imperial Presidency Reflecting American Fascism
On April 30, Time Magazine published an exhaustive and very alarming report where former President Donald Trump outlined his second term agenda should he win. What emerges from review of Trump’s second term agenda is an imperial presidency, some would say an American...
ICYMI: NM GOP Chooses Fake Elector as an Elector Yet Again at Party Convention
DPNM calls on Steve Pearce’s New Mexico GOP to denounce election denial ahead of the 2024 election Last Saturday, April 27th, the Republican Party of New Mexico held their Quadrennial Convention in Albuquerque to select their delegates to the Republican National...
Tax Season 2025: Trump and MAGA Republicans Want To Make it Easier for the Ultra-Rich To Cheat on Their Taxes
As the Republican Study Committee pushes a blueprint that would help the ultra-rich cheat their way out of paying their fair share in taxes, DNC spokesperson Aida Ross released the following statement: “Donald Trump’s MAGA minions in Congress would rather put...
Unionizing the Sandoval Regional Medical Center: More Questions Than Answers
By June Anglin, DPSC Recently, signs went up in Rio Rancho and Corrales asking Jamie Silva-Steele to care enough to bargain now for better patient care. Some of the signs have disappeared. But the issue has not. What is going on at Sandoval Regional Medical Center...
Donald J. Trump: Symptom of an American Disease
Many of us know Donald Trump to be a conman, grifter, and a habitual liar. Sadly, he is much more than that. He typifies the racism, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobic and religious bigotry that permeates many sectors of our country. He is the spokesman for the base...
Lost Dogs, Rural Progressives, and Political Alliances
Two runaway hunting dogs led to meeting a neighbor--you never know who you're going to meet out in the sticks. JESS PIPER - MAR 13, 2024 I live just outside of a tiny town in NW Missouri. I had to make a trip to another town to do some shopping last Saturday...
President Biden’s Achievements! – There’s a lot to talk about
Taken FromBernadette's Bulletin 2024 #3NM Democratic Party SCC Member Strongest years of job growth in history! Inflation plummets to new lows. More than 40 million borrowers stand to benefit from student debt relief Nearly 11 million jobs created since 2021...
2024 Legislative Session
You Win SomeYou Lose SomeAnd Some Get Rained Out The 2024 legislative session was a 30-day short session where much of the legislation was to be dedicated to financial matters and approving the state’s annual budget. There were 780 bills introduced in the session but...
A Clear and Present Danger—We Can’t Afford!
Taken FromBernadette's Bullentin 2024 #3NM Democratic Party SCC Member Who is barred from operating a Charitable Foundation because he stole from it and paid a $2 million dollar fine? Who bragged about grabbing women by their private parts? Who was convicted of...
LET’S FACE IT
Taken FromBernadette's Bullentin 2024 #3NM Democratic Party SCC Member When the Trumpster spews crazy, outrageous, conspiracies, lies and dangerous verbal vomit, it gets picked up immediately and is echoed countless times by lots of different outlets. Then a diversity...
Miss Information – BIDEN VS. TRUMP: WHAT WILL A SECOND TERM LOOK LIKE?
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary and June Anglin, Chair, Precinct 146 Last November and December, Miss Information provided comparisons of where Biden and Trump stand on the issues and how their values compare. This month we bring you a look at what the two candidates’...
MISS INFORMATION – OUR VALUES AND THEIRS
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary and June Anglin, Chair, Precinct 146 Last month Miss Information provided a bullet point comparison of where Biden and Trump stand on the issues. This month we bring you a comparison of Democratic and Republican values as demonstrated by...
Miss Information – DEMOCRATS VS. MAGA REPUBLICANS: FROM THE SUBLIME TO THE ALARMING
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary A Sandoval County Democrat recently asked me for bullet points highlighting Biden’s accomplishments and a comparison of Democratic and Republican party platforms to bolster his arguments in favor of President Biden. A brief bullet point...
Texas and New Mexico Democrats Issue Joint Statement on Greg Abbott’s Border Fencing Along Texas and New Mexico Border
Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa and Democratic Party of New Mexico Chair Jessica Velasquez issued the following joint statement on Greg Abbott’s latest border distraction: “Earlier this month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the placement of razor...
NM Gas proposes storage facility
BACKGROUND AND INFORMATION In June 2023, a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) facility exploded in Cameron, Louisiana, leading to an evacuation of the entire town of 219 people, and rolling blackouts in the area. New Mexico Gas Company (NMGC) wants to build an LNG facility...
Miss Information – THE SILLY SEASON
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary “During the dog days, politicians are in the Maine woods fishing and boozing, burglars are too tired to burgle, and wives think it over and decide not to decapitate their husbands.” Thus begins “The Silly Season,” a science fiction story...
Miss Information – PLEASE, SIR, I WANT SOME MORE
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary A shortened version was published in the Albuquerque Journal. Congressional Republicans have awoken, Rip Van Winkle-like, to find a Democrat in the White House. Despite their steadfast support for Trump’s budget busting tax cuts for the...
Miss Information – Speaking of Apes
Who knew Republicans were such jokesters, but these days they’re funnier than a barrel of flatulent monkeys. It turns out that January 6 was not an insurrection. It was a laugh riot, with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene declaring, “I want to tell you something: If Steve...
Election Fraud effort lacks credibility
The following letter was sent to the editor of the Rio Rancho Observer, and the paper has failed to print it. Therefore, the letter is being published here to let Sandoval County Democrats know that the allegations of election fraud are unfounded. Dear Editor, After...
Liberty and Justice
by Flora Lucero, Chair of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all. Francis Bellamy, The Youth’s Companion, September 8, 1892 In a ward...
Miss Information – REPUBLICAN STATE SENATOR CRAIG BRANDT WOULD DENY CHILDREN EASY ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
Re-printed from the Rio Rancho Observer with permission. [Note: After this letter was published, the New Mexico Senate and House passed the bill, titled “School-Based Health Centers] on a party-line vote with support from only two Republicans.] Democrats and...
Did You Know – Upcoming School Board Elections
There will be School Board elections within Sandoval County on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. The following school districts will have elections for school board members. All of the districts have 5 member boards. Bernalillo - 2 Seats up for election. Web Page: ...
Miss Information – Democrats are fighting to keep us safe from gun violence
Once again, our own Miss Information (Judy Gordon) had the following Letter to the Editor published in the Albuquerque Journal recently. You go, Miss! With no help from Republicans, Democrats are fighting to keep us safe from gun violence If actions speak louder than...
Miss Information – GOP calls governor a grinch
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Re-printed from the Rio Rancho Observer with permission. On Dec. 13, the Observer posted an article to its website about the surge of patients pushing hospitals beyond their licensed capacity. The cause? A “triple-demic” of flu, COVID...
People Are Smart Enough to Govern Themselves
But we must guard against the anti- democratic behavior of the Republican PartyBy Senator Fred Harris In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln spoke not only about our government of the people and for the people, but also by the people, reiterating the fundamental...
Albuquerque Journal Endorses Mark Ronchetti – What the …?
The Albuquerque Journal’s endorsement of Mr. Ronchetti for Governor would be funny if the consequences weren't so dire. "A Republican political neophyte with zero management experience." ".....has not served on a county commission, in a state cabinet post, in...
Re-Elect Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary
This is a BFD (But Not in a Good Way)
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Republicans didn’t have a party platform in 2020 because electing Donald Trump was their platform. If Republicans revealed what they really stand for, it would be a recipe for defeat, so don't look for one in 2024, either. But Sen. Rick...
Who Serves New Mexicans?
Joe Biden delivers while Yvette Herrell says “NO!” By Nandini Pillai Kuehn, Ph.D., MHA, Retired Health Care Consultant, DPSC Ward D Chair On August 14, two letters appeared in the Journal. One was from Democratic Senator Ben Ray Lujan touting the CHIPS Act—spelling...
Unpacking John Adams and Independence Day
A version of this letter appeared in the June 12, 2022 edition of the Rio Rancho Observer. The author, an active Democrat and teacher, gave permission to the Democratic Party of Sandoval Count to use his letter. Editor: On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote his wife,...
Sheriff Works to Make Our Community a Safe, Caring Place to Live
By Jessie James Casaus, Sandoval County Sheriff As Sandoval County grows, it’s essential that public safety enforcement agencies and community stakeholders work together to build positive interaction experiences. We continue to follow a positive team approach, which...
Gun Violence Not Fault of Gun Control Advocates
A version of this letter appeared in the June 12, 2022 edition of the Rio Rancho Observer. The author, an advocate for common sense gun laws, gave permission to the Democratic Party of Sandoval Count to use her letter. Editor: Your editorial headline on May 29, 2022,...
Abortion Rights Are on the Ballot – Keep New Mexico Blue
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Re-printed from the Rio Rancho Observer with permission. The leak of the draft Supreme Court decision is a wakeup call that a handful of right- wing Christian theocrats are about to pull the plug on abortion rights. Denying women...
Condemnation of Treasurer, Tim Eichenberg’s Actions
From: Alexandria PILAND <alexpiland@msn.com>Sent: Monday, May 23, 2022 6:15 PMSubject: Condemnation of Treasurer, Tim Eichenberg's Actions For Immediate Release: Letter to the Editor Contact: Alex Piland, Call or Text: 505.350-6590 Email: alexpiland@msn.com...
Privatized Medicare is Closer Than You Think
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Medicare Advantage—private insurance with much looser rules than Traditional Medicare—can be enticing. Compared to Traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage offers lower costs and extra benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental...
Governor’s Leadership and a (State) House Full of Women Create Progress for New Mexico
By Daymon Ely, NM State House Representative House District 23 I have served in the legislature for the past six years.In that time, I saw two major changes: 1 - a change from a Republican administration (Gov. Martinez) to a Democratic administration (Gov....
U.S. Cable Subscribers Fund Russian Propaganda
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Russia has silenced independent media, and journalists are fleeing the country. The Russian people have virtually no access to fact-based, objective reporting. But lest you fear that Russians aren’t hearing Western voices, rest assured...
Looking to Our Party’s Future
Young leader offers pride and hope to Democrats By Jaden Chavez, Freshman, Political Science Major, UNM The world is used to telling people like me that our passions, priorities, and proposals don’t matter—or what’s almost worse, that they can simply wait. After all,...
Take the Quiz: Whatever It Is I’m Against It
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Test your knowledge of New Mexico politicians.Match the quote with the speaker and be reminded once again why it’s critical to vote Democratic up and down the ballot. Download the document to test your skills.
Support Establishment of a School of Public Health
From the Santa Fe New Mexican - February 11, 2022
The Insurrectionist Next Door
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary In the past, far-right-wing extremists were viewed as a fringe element that could be contained. But Robert A. Pape, political science professor at the University of Chicago and director of the Chicago Project on Security and Threats,...
The Health Security Plan for New Mexicans
All New Mexicans deserve quality healthcare By Ann E. Kepley, Precinct 132 Chair, DPSC All New Mexicans deserve a home- grown health care system that reflects our unique healthcare needs. New Mexicans deserve an affordable plan that provides coordinated preventive...
Last Week’s Columns are Just Mansplaining
This letter to the editor appeared in the Dec. 26, 2021, issue of the Rio Rancho Observer Dear Editor, On last week’s editorial page of the Rio Rancho Observer, one of the newspaper’s reporters explained what the Democratic Party of Sandoval County needs to do to win...
Letter Smearing Democrats Was Misleading
Published on November 14, 2021 in the Rio Rancho Observer The letter of Charles Sullivan of Albuquerque in the Rio Rancho Observer of Nov. 7, 2021, disappoints. Some of the presented “facts” have some basis; some have some basis but are used misleadingly; some are...
The Governor’s Many Accomplishments
Published on November 14, 2021 in the Rio Rancho Observer For a variety of historic and geographic reasons, New Mexico struggles to overcome a legacy of poverty, lagging educational achievement and sluggish economic growth. Last week’s letter to the editor by Charles...
Panelists: Plans for Plutonium Transportation Put New Mexicans at Risk
By Hannah Grover This story originally was published by the New Mexico Political Report and is republished with acknowledgment....
Public Safety and the Rio Rancho Police Department
By Gail PinkepankArticle appeared in the ABQ Journal Opinion Section on November 15, 2021 It’s no wonder that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently appointed Jason Bowie,who was serving as Deputy Chief of the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD), asSecretary of the...
Medicare Drug Price Negotiation: Big PhRMA Claims of Harm “Overblown”
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Remdesivir is the COVID-19 drug that can shorten hospital stays. Gilead, its developer, received $162 million in federal funding for clinical trials and other assistance to accelerate its market availability. Gilead also benefited from...
Advanced Energy Can Fuel New Mexico’s Economy
By Katherine Bruch, Sandoval County Commissioner, Dist. 1 This summer, smoke from wildfires as close as the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and as far away as the Sierra Nevada’s, blanketed New Mexico. Ongoing drought and heatwaves are threatening public safety and...
Trying to Understand Fear of Critical Race Theory and Diversity Programs
By Trip Jennings, New Mexico In Depth- October 30, 2021This story was originally published by New Mexico In Depth - https://nmindepth.com/2021/10/30/trying-to-understand-fear-of-critical-race-theory-and-diversity-programs/ I’ve been watching school board races across...
Stop Lying About Gary Tripp and Have a Serious Discussion of the Issues
School boards can have significant implications for our children’s education, which is why voters in Rio Rancho School District 1 deserve a serious discussion of the vastly contrasting positions of myself and my opponent. Yet Robyn Schmalz’s letter in last Sunday’s...
Bowie an Excellent Choice for State Public Safety Secretary
It’s no wonder that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham recently appointed Jason Bowie,serving as Deputy Chief of the Rio Rancho Police Department (RRPD), as Secretary ofthe New Mexico Department of Public Safety. To help prevent the violent incidents wehave seen around...
Press Must Treat Candidate Fairly
The Rio Rancho Observer in its Oct. 10 editorial and opinions page threw its policy out the window that banned publication of letters that tout or attack specific candidates for election. The attack came against Gary Tipp in a nonpartisan election for Rio Rancho...
State Senator Gregg Schmedes Discourages Vaccinations and Masking
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary We are advised to consult our doctor if we have concerns about getting the COVID-19 vaccination. But what if your doctor is a politician who promotes misleading information about vaccines and masking? What if your doctor advocates not...
New Mexico’s GOP Candidates for Governor are Anti-Educator
While Governor Lujan Grisham is Endorsed by the NEA, GOP Candidates Support Policies that Harm Educators Today, National Education Association-New Mexico (NEA-NM) endorsed Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham for a second term, touting her moonshot investment in New...
Gary Tripp: The Only Choice for Rio Rancho School Board, District 1
A Dedicated Lifelong Educator Squares Off Against a Right Wing Extremist The following letter is Gary Tripp’s response to Brenner’s baseless accusations (click here to read selected Brenner tweets) that the Rio Rancho Public Schools are teaching critical race theory....
Gary Tripp – His Good Ideas for Improving Our Schools
By Melissa Fernandez I was heartened to read Gary Tripp’s letter in the Rio Rancho Observer. His good ideas for improving our schools were a much-needed antidote to Patrick Monroe Brenner’s willfully ignorant screed published the week before. No, critical race theory...
Exhausted Educators Deserve Support and Respect
Insults and complaints demoralize dedicated, hard-working teachers Billie Helean, 1st Grade Teacher, Rio Rancho School Employees Union President, Labor Employees Union President, and Labor Liaison to the DPSC Executive Committee When we finished the last school year,...
Republican Cancel Culture is Coming for Your Vote
By Judy Gordon, DPSC Secretary Democrats have proven we can overcome voter suppression through the strength of our ideas and organizing energy. But Republicans are not deterred in their efforts to undermine democracy. They are now positioning themselves to nullify...
Indigenous Solutions Can Contribute to Equity In Our Communities
Indigenous educators must ensure Indigenous knowledge and ancestral wisdom are perpetuated By Jon Ghahate, Cultural Educator, Indian Pueblo Cultural CenterRe-printed from the Green Fire Times with permission. Each of the 573 U.S. federally recognized Indigenous...