The Albuquerque Journal headline read: "State GOP criticizes governor for delaying pick to fill vacant NM Senate seat."
Is that really the best the Republican Party of New Mexico can offer?
How about this instead:
"RPNM Supports NM House Republicans in Impeachment Effort Against Governor Lujan Grisham for Denying Otero County Its Constitutional Right to Representation."
That is the headline every hardworking New Mexican wants to read. Someone standing up for them. Someone willing to fight. Instead, we get another round of hand-wringing criticism — as if complaining were the job voters elected Republicans to do.
New Mexicans are tired of it. I am tired of it.
In reality, New Mexico has two political parties: the Perpetrator Party and the Victim Party. Neither can exist without the other.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico has controlled this state for decades. Its record is well known — and quietly admired by fellow perpetrators elsewhere. One of New York City Mayor Eric Adams' first calls was reportedly to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, asking how she does it. However she does it, the results speak for themselves: New Mexico routinely ranks among the most corrupt states in the nation — both legally and illegally — while simultaneously ranking near the bottom in education, child well-being, public safety, healthcare access, and household income.
Meanwhile, the Republican Party of New Mexico has maintained a firm grip on minority status for just as long. That status conveniently absolves it of responsibility. When you never govern, nothing is ever your fault. The evidence is endless: article after article that falls into the same tired categories — "Ain't It a Shame," "Can You Believe This," and my personal favorite, "Their Hypocrisy."
The state's mainstream media plays its role as well, perpetuating the perpetrator-victim dynamic with a motto that seems to be, "We don't ask," even when the questions are obvious. Who exactly did Jeffrey Epstein abuse in Santa Fe, and who enabled him? If California labor unions contribute billions to Democrats there, how much have New Mexico unions contributed to DPNM and its candidates? If teachers' unions have controlled the Legislature for decades, why does New Mexico rank at the bottom in education? If Virgin Galactic were to fail, what financial exposure does the State of New Mexico face after promoting and subsidizing it?
There Is Hope
Democratic leadership will not moderate its positions — the money is simply too good. With billions sitting in the Permanent Fund, Democrats can remain comfortably entrenched for years. But political winds change. If a future Department of Justice turns its attention toward corruption closer to home, New Mexico may finally face scrutiny it has long avoided.
More importantly, RPNM leadership is beginning to lose its grip — not to Democrats, but to its own county leaders. If county organizations continue pushing back, they can usher in a new generation of Republican leadership in 2026.
That year matters. 2026 will be the first election under New Mexico's Open Primary system. Combine that with a growing number of voters choosing Independent registration over Democratic affiliation — while Republican growth stagnates — and a stark reality emerges: either the RPNM expands its leadership circle and its base, or it becomes the third choice in a two-party state.
Change is coming to New Mexico.
The only remaining question is whether the Republican Party will lead it or once again complain about it from the sidelines.
Alternate Headline Section
ABQ Journal Headline, "Haaland unveils education plan, wins teachers union endorsement."
Mick Rich Headline: "Haaland unveils plan to increase teacher union coffers at the expense of educating our children. The teacher's union endorses the plan and Haaland."
