SANTA FE, NM – New Mexico House Republican Leader Gail Armstrong (R- Magdalena) is calling on Rep. Joseph Hernandez (D- Shiprock) to resign from the Legislature following troubling revelations about his conduct at a Chicago hotel and new questions surrounding his campaign finances.
Reports indicate Hernandez was found naked and running through a Chicago hotel, banging on guests' doors before being escorted from the property by police. Democratic leadership remained largely silent as details emerged.
"Representative Hernandez's behavior was unacceptable, but the silence from Democratic leadership is just as troubling," Armstrong said. "Instead of demanding accountability, they tried to minimize the situation and move on."
Now, a review of Hernandez's campaign finance reports by the Piñon Post has raised additional questions about more than $100,000 in reported spending, including restaurant, retail, hotel, cash and self-directed transactions, along with repeated late filings.
Hernandez has now withdrawn from his reelection race, continuing a troubling pattern in which Democratic primary winners' step aside after voters have already made their choice, only for party insiders to attempt to install a replacement. Under New Mexico law, a post-primary ballot vacancy must occur at least 90 days before the general election for a political party to fill it. Hernandez's withdrawal came after that deadline.
"Democrats should not be allowed to ignore election law simply because their candidate became a political liability," Armstrong said. "Representative Hernandez should resign, and House Democratic leadership should stop trying to sweep serious misconduct under the rug."
