Breaking the Bonds of Cliques: A Path to Republican Victory in New Mexico
By Mick Rich August 30, 2025
To The Point with Mick Rich at WWW.Substack.MickRich.Com
The RPNM Chairwoman's Report was one of the most informative I have ever read, and not for the reasons the Chairwoman had hoped for. I was surprised by what she shockingly intended to write and what she unintentionally wrote. Read the RPNM Chairperson Barela's report below. I have added my comments (denoted by [Mick Rich].
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July 14, 2025
REPORT ON THE JULY 12, 2025, RPNM STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE MEETING Submitted by Amy Barela, Chair, Republican Party of New Mexico
First, I want to begin by thanking everyone who attended and participated in our recent State Central Committee meeting held on July 12th in Farmington. Your presence and engagement are critical to the governance of the Republican Party of New Mexico. SCC meetings serve as the vital mechanism for ensuring that our party remains compliant with its governing rules, responds to member concerns, and is operationally sound.
Out of the 305 members who registered for the meeting, 279 were represented [Mick Rich, only 156 members attended], an impressive turnout that demonstrates your continued commitment to our party's mission. As a reminder, there are 524 total county contingent SCC positions, some of which remain unfilled. [Mick Rich, 30% of SCC Members attended]
Advisory State Rules Committee Appointments
I am pleased to report that three members were confirmed as permanent members of the Advisory Rules Committee:
Kay Jilek – Confirmed with 245 votes
Rick Lopez – Confirmed with 217 votes
Jonathan Gardner – Confirmed with 268 votes
Congratulations to these active members. I am confident that their dedication and experience will contribute greatly to improving and clarifying our Party's rules and governance procedures.
Proposed Rule Changes: Results and Observations
We presented several rule changes to the SCC for consideration. While the majority of members supported each of the three proposals, they did not meet the 2/3 threshold required for passage:
Rule 1-3-4: Electronic Voting
Votes in favor: 157
Needed for passage: 185
Missed by 28 votes
Rule 1-4-2: Party Officer Endorsements
Votes in favor: 160
Needed for passage: 185
Missed by 25 votes
Rule 1-4-3: Officers Running for Public Office
Votes in favor: 175
Needed for passage: 185
Missed by 10 votes
The margins clearly show that the majority of members favored these changes. Unfortunately, we fell just short of meeting the supermajority requirement.
Proven Models from Other States
It's important to note that the rules we proposed are not experimental. In fact, 25 other Republican state parties across the country already have these rules or variations of them in place. These reforms—such as electronic voting, officer endorsements, and allowing party officers to run for office without forced removal [Mick Rich, change would allow Barela to a second term]—are part of the standard toolkit in successful Republican organizations nationwide.
Our failure to pass them not only holds us back operationally—it puts us at a strategic disadvantage compared to other states that have already modernized. If we want to win like the rest of the country, we must be willing to operate like the rest of the country.
Addressing Misinformation [Mick Rich, why now &and not at the SCC Meeting? Because this format does not allow a dissenting voice to the Chairwoman's!]
I must take a moment to correct false statements made during debate that undermined the integrity of this process. [Mick Rich, Barela's message is SCC members lied and were poisoning the process]
Some individuals claimed that SCC members were unaware of which rules were being proposed. That is simply not true [Mick Rich, again, SCC Members were lying]. As your newly elected Chair, I directed the Rules Committee to meet with every county's SCC membership, both in-person and via Zoom. These meetings were thorough, transparent, and time intensive. Dismissing this effort as "secretive" or "unclear" is a disservice to the volunteers and committee members who worked diligently to include all voices. [Mick Rich, just because Barela directed the Rules Committee to meet with every county, does not mean it happened. I was told that the Rules Committee did not meet with Bernalillo after substantial changes were made to the agenda/rule changes]
Additionally, claims that SCC members had no input in the development of the agenda are equally false [Mick Rich, again, suggesting that SCC Members were lying]. I personally hosted two Zoom meetings, one with 91 participants and the second with 50, to hear input specifically about the agenda. The first meeting was largely an opportunity for open complaints [Mick Rich, opposing views are not complaints, they are opposing positions], the main takeaway of which was a need for better messaging [Mick Rich, Chairwoman believes they support her measures, she just needs to change how she communicated her measures]. The second meeting was more productive, and suggestions—such as presenting rule appointments individually instead of as a slate—were honored.[Mick Rich, Barela, unintentionally expressed that opposing positions were dishonored?]
On Unity and Respect
Debate is healthy. Disagreement is expected. But name-calling and personal attacks are unacceptable. Referring to the Chair or any member as "evil" is not only unproductive, but it also erodes trust and hinders progress. Those who stoop to this level of discourse do a disservice to the very counties they are elected to represent. [ Mick Rich, Barela unintentionally expressed that a Republican SCC Member from a majority Democrat County represents Democrats and thus their positions should be discounted]
Strategic Direction and Challenges Ahead
The 2025–2026 Political Strategy Plan was passed unanimously—a clear indicator that we agree on the destination, even if we still disagree on the route. However, our ability to fund this plan is now in jeopardy. Donors and national partners have expressed concerns about continued investment in New Mexico if we are unwilling to evolve. [Mick Rich, Barela unintentionally expressed that the path to reach out destination is unsettled, then directs everyone to get behind her path]
Local control for counties was a foundational concept of the proposed changes. We have counties with vastly different political realities red counties being told how to operate by blue counties makes no strategic sense. Yet, that is the outcome we now face. [Mick Rich, Barela unintentionally expressed her opinion that Republican SCC Members from majority democrat counties represent democrats. Is this the basis of discounting their voices?]
Instead of elevating the voice of successful counties [Mick Rich, Barela is elevating southeast and northwest and degrading the albuquerque metro area] some have chosen to cling to outdated structures—ironically while accusing others of being the "old guard." It is worth asking: Who is truly holding back progress? [Mick Rich, Barela knows the answer, anyone who disagrees with her]
Our Legislators Need Us
Let us not forget: our state legislators showed up and supported the proposed changes. They did so because they understand the need for a party structure that helps them win—not hinder them. They fought tirelessly during the last legislative session, and they continue fighting today. We had the chance to give them the structural support they asked for, and we chose not to. [Mick Rich, Barela unintentionally equates the SCC Members opposing her opposing our Republican Legislator]
On Training and Party Leadership
As I attempted to express before being cut off by parliamentary procedure, I believe in building a bench of skilled, knowledgeable officers. Many of them go on to become outstanding candidates. Being both a party officer and a candidate brings visibility, credibility, and trust—especially in rural counties where the pool of potential candidates is small. The rule proposal was designed to support these counties, not hurt them.
Moving Forward – Together
I urge you: get involved at your county level. If your county is not hosting regular, monthly public meetings, demand it. CCC meetings behind closed doors stifle participation and prevent growth. That is not acceptable. [Mick Rich, have you been to an SCC Meeting? Have you seen the RPNM Chairperson conduct the meeting as my RPNM, my meeting, my rules AKA "The Rule of the Gavel"]
I will continue to lead this party with integrity and purpose. I will continue to fight for smart, strategic change. I will continue to align New Mexico with the rest of the Republican Party nationwide—a party that wins, because it plans, acts, and adapts.
Like President Trump, I understand the importance of setting goals, crafting a plan, implementing it, and seeing it through—despite the attacks and obstacles. [Mick Rich, Is Barela equating attacks on President Trump by Democrats to Republicans disagreeing with her?)
County Participation Audit
Attached to this report is the official audit of in-person attendees and proxies, which provides a clear picture of which counties fully engaged in the meeting and which did not. This audit is included not to criticize, but to encourage greater awareness and responsibility at the county level.
Every county should be fully represented at SCC meetings. These are the most important governance opportunities we have as a party, and your participation ensures your county's voice is heard.
County Participation Audit
The SCC Credentials Report, which includes attendance broken down by in-person and proxy per county includes a representation for each county to clearly reflect levels of engagement.
This credentials report is intended to highlight and encourage participation, not to criticize. Participation at SCC meetings is essential for the health and direction of our party. The more county contingent members to the SCC that engage, the more representative and effective our governance becomes.
A special acknowledgment goes to Lea County, Lincoln County, and Roosevelt County, whose delegations achieved 100% representation—a model of local leadership and commitment.
Let this serve as both an encouragement and a challenge to the rest of our counties: when your entire SCC shows up, your voice is heard in full.
Click here for the CREDENTIAL REPORT [link removed by Mick Rich]
Your Input Is Requested
Now is the time to share your feedback. I want to hear your honest, thoughtful, forward-looking input. If your comments include personal attacks or falsehoods, they will not be entertained. But if you care about winning in 2026 and want to help build a stronger RPNM, I invite you to be part of the solution. [Mick Rich, Barela, just qualified the feedback she will accept and reject]
Let's finish this work, together, and finally get focused on the one thing that matters most: electing Republicans up and down the ballot in New Mexico.
Closing Acknowledgments
Before closing, I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the incredible RPNM staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to coordinate and support this SCC meeting. Your behind-the-scenes efforts are what keep this party functioning, organized, and moving forward.
A heartfelt thank-you also goes to the Republican Party of San Juan County for your warm hospitality while we were in Farmington. Your beautiful Red, White & Boots event was a true highlight, bringing together members from across the state in the spirit of unity and camaraderie. Events like these build the relationships and morale that strengthen our entire organization.
Respectfully,
Amy Barela,
Chairwoman Republican Party of New Mexico
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The bonds within the Cliques of the Republican Party are stronger than the desire to win elections and turn our state around. I witnessed this within months of traveling the state when I ran for the US Senate in 2018. Since that time, I have been dedicated to uniting Republicans and achieving victory. I included "bring Republicans together" in my speech at the 2020 convention. When I gave that speech, I knew I would not garner enough votes to move on to the primary when I saw people sitting in their Cliques.
When I talk to New Mexico Republicans about bringing Republicans together. They agree, yes, we are splintered, and we need to unite behind (fill in the name or group). Chairwoman Barela's report expresses the same idea: we need to unite behind her and those who developed her plan.
In 2018, as a Republican US Senate Candidate, I thought not being part of a Clique would result in widespread Republican support. I was wrong. A clique recruited Land Commissioner Dunn to run as a Libertarian candidate for the US Senate. We then got Dunn out of the race, then the clique recruited Governor Johnson to run in his spot.
Have you wondered why Republican candidates can't win federal and statewide races? You cannot win a primary in New Mexico without the support of a major clique. But a clique is not strong enough to win a general election. Look at Mark Ronchetti and Nella Dominici.
In the last article, I called for the National Republican Committee to facilitate an SCC meeting in New Mexico that would be solely focused on breaking the bonds within the cliques and bringing Republicans together.
If the RPNM will not ask the RNC to facilitate such a meeting. An alternative solution would be for San Juan County to facilitate the same meeting. Why San Juan County?
Farmington has a connection to New Mexico's oil and gas industry, but not a particularly strong one. Farmington is far enough away from most of the Republican Albuquerque cliques yet just up the road from Albuquerque. Farmington reinvented itself multiple times in response to a challenging economic landscape, necessitating collaboration to develop a successful plan. Farmington is a melting pot of cultures.
Most importantly, San Juan County has great Republican Leaders who are well-respected, tough, capable, and, most importantly, they do not take themselves too seriously. It is time for these men and women to step up and pull the Republicans together.
