THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
1. GOVERNOR LUJAN GRISHAM IS RECRUITING FAR-LEFT PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS
Several Democrat Senators in New Mexico who stood against their party leaders to defend life and opposed HB 51, a bill decriminalizing abortion laws, are now being challenged in primary elections. Gov. Lujan Grisham is recruiting candidates who agree with her on extreme policies. Yet another example of how the Gov. is trying to push her far-left agenda across the state.
From the Albuquerque Journal:
Democrat Siah Correa Hemphill, a school psychologist, plans to run against state Sen. Gabriel Ramos next year — one of several primary challenges facing Senate Democrats.
The legislative district stretches from Socorro to Silver City and covers much of southwestern New Mexico…
Correa Hemphill is set to face Ramos, who was appointed to the District 28 seat in January.
Democrat Howie Morales represented the area for 10 years but stepped down after winning election as lieutenant governor.
Ramos, an insurance agent, is a former Grant County commissioner, former school board member and ex-member of the town council in Hurley.
He is one of eight Democrats who joined all 16 Republicans in the Senate this year to oppose repeal of a 1969 anti-abortion law. The proposal failed 24-18.
Now some of those Democrats are preparing for primary challenges, though the abortion vote is just one factor.
Among those already facing Democratic primary opponents, for example, are Senate President Pro Tem Mary Kay Papen of Las Cruces and John Arthur Smith of Deming.
2. REP. TORRES SMALL SIDES WITH THE FAR LEFT ON THE IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY
Rep. Xochitl Torres Small pretends to be with her district, then turns around and sides with Nancy Pelosi and the socialist squad. We challenged her last week and she has shown her true colors. Chairman Pearce and fellow Republicans held a rally outside Torres Small’s district office in Belen on Wednesday and the next day she announced her support for an impeachment inquiry. It is time for our legislators to stop the madness and get to work on issues that matter!
From the Las Cruces Sun News:
Until today (Oct. 10), U.S. Rep. Xochitl Torres Small, D-NM, belonged to a small group of Democrats in the House of Representatives who did not support a formal impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.
While backing an investigation into a whistleblower's complaint alleging that Trump asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to launch an investigation that might discredit a domestic political rival, Torres Small preferred it not be framed as a possible prelude to impeachment.
That changed Thursday, after the congresswoman penned a column appearing in the Las Cruces Sun-News arguing that as of this week, "the administration left me with no other way to get the information the country deserves than to support an impeachment inquiry."
For two weeks after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called for the inquiry, the freshman representative for New Mexico's conservative-leaning second congressional district walked a cautious rhetorical line…
Following Pelosi's Sept. 25 announcement, Torres Small issued a statement calling on the president to release the informant's complaint and allow administration officials to testify before Congress.
Shortly after her statement was shared on Twitter, a new version was sent out revising the final sentence from "Any threat to our national security must be taken seriously” to: "This is a threat to our national security, and it must be taken seriously.”
Holding out against labeling the investigation as an impeachment inquiry, Torres Small broke with most of her Democratic colleagues in the House, including the rest of New Mexico's congressional delegation.
3. OTHER NEW MEXICO NEWS BRIEFS
New Mexico to add plug-in vehicles Gov. Lujan Grisham’s continues to push unrealistic climate change initiatives. Lawmakers are setting aside millions to move forward with the unnecessary "Green New Deal" agenda.
New Mexico will have standard license rollout Now it only takes one document for New Mexico residents to obtain a standard license.
New Mexico sees construction boom due to oil and gas production The industry the Gov. continually tries to undermine is bringing money into the state and supporting growth across other industries.
New Mexico discontinues financial incentives for teachers Money to fund financial bonuses for top performing teachers will no longer be allocated. Since the financial bonuses were not her idea, the Gov. wants a new teacher evaluation system.