Santa Fe, NM — Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer (R-Farmington) today delivered a sharp rebuke of what he called a pattern of abuse of power, self-dealing, and self-serving leadership among sitting Democrat lawmakers, pointing to multiple separate, ongoing matters as evidence that accountability inside the Democrat-controlled Legislature has broken down.

"New Mexicans are watching a Democrat Party that talks endlessly about ethics and accountability while tolerating exactly the opposite from its own members," Senator Sharer said. "Whether it's misusing taxpayer-funded resources, drunkenly disturbing hotel guests while running around naked on a taxpayer-funded trip, leadership acting abusively, or lawmakers allegedly directing state funds for personal gain, the common thread is the same: Democrat lawmakers protecting other Democrat lawmakers, all at the public's expense."

Leader Sharer pointed first to Representative Andrea Romero (D-Santa Fe), who is the subject of yet another formal ethics complaint alleging she misused taxpayer dollars entrusted to her as a public servant for her own political benefit while covering for her party's gubernatorial candidate, Deb Haaland.

"When a lawmaker is handed that kind of responsibility and the allegation is that she used it to protect herself politically instead, that's not leadership," Leader Sharer said. "That's self-dealing with taxpayer dollars."

Senator Sharer also cited Representative Joseph Hernandez (D-Shiprock), who is facing scrutiny over both his personal conduct and the apparent misuse of his campaign funds, both of which ultimately led him to end his reelection campaign.

"When a lawmaker's own conduct becomes a scandal and serious financial reporting questions follow right behind it, New Mexicans deserve real answers, not silence from House Democrat leadership," the Senator said.

Leader Sharer pointed as well to Senate President Pro Tempore Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), who was the subject of a formal harassment complaint filed by a legislative staffer and is rumored to be under investigation again for additional allegations of abusive behavior. The staff member's complaint prompted a formal investigation, wherein the independent investigator recommended possible disciplinary action against Senator Stewart, but Democrats on the committee rejected that recommendation over the objections of the committee's Republican members. Now she is also facing additional ethics complaints related to the same problematic and unethical behavior while serving in office.

"Senator Stewart's own colleagues found her treatment of a staff member was unprofessional and unacceptable, but instead of holding her accountable, that complaint was buried in a party-line vote," Leader Sharer said. "That's what happens when the people writing the rules are the same people being investigated under them."

Finally, Senator Sharer said he has just become aware of unconfirmed allegations involving Senate Finance Committee Chairman George Muñoz (D-Gallup).

"These are new allegations, and Senator Muñoz is entitled to respond to them and to have them fully and fairly investigated, just like every other matter I've raised today."
However, Leader Sharer said the pattern clearly speaks for itself:
"Democrats cannot claim to champion ethics and accountability while their own party is riddled with unresolved allegations of self-dealing, cover-ups, and abuse of power," the Senator said. "New Mexicans are not fooled. They see a party more interested in protecting its own than protecting the public trust, suggesting that New Mexico needs new leadership."