New Mexico
New Mexico GOP chief accuses Democratic rep of 'contradictory' rhetoric after alleged arson attack
New Mexico GOP Chairwoman Amy Barela called out Democrats’ inflammatory rhetoric Monday after an alleged arsonist targeted the state Republican Party’s headquarters over the weekend.
Her comments came after New Mexico Democratic Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández encouraged Democrats to “respond” to the Trump administration’s changes with a “three-prong project” during a “Republican Ripoff” town hall.
“Legislate. Litigate. Agitate. And you guys are part of the agitate party, so don’t feel like we are hopeless or helpless when we express our outrage,” Leger Fernández told an audience in Santa Fe on Saturday, one day before the attack.
ALBUQUERQUE GOP HEADQUARTERS TARGETED IN ALLEGED ARSON: ‘DIRECT ASSAULT ON OUR VALUES’
An arson attack against the New Mexico Republican Party created concerns about inflammatory rhetoric allegedly coming from Democrats. (New Mexico Republican Party)
She brought down the temperature in an X post after the attack on Sunday, calling political violence “unacceptable,” and adding that perpetrators must be “held accountable” so every American can “freely and safely participate” in democracy.
“At my town hall yesterday, I spoke about love in action – about the importance of showing respect and listening. That is what we need right now,” she added.
Barela was quick to point out the timeliness of the attack, however, pointing to the “agitate” remark as a potential inciter.
“I believe that she changed her statement as soon as I came out to the media and was calling her out on those statements. You’re holding a town hall to discuss about the love of the community, and you use the words ‘agitate.’ I think it’s contradictory,” she said on “Fox & Friends.”
15-YEAR-OLD BOY NOW FOURTH SUSPECT CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE IN NEW MEXICO MASS SHOOTING
The Albuquerque Fire Department was called to an alleged arson attempt at the Republican Party of New Mexico’s headquarters in Albuquerque early Sunday morning. (Albuquerque Fire Department Facebook)
Though the incident is still under investigation, Barela said an incendiary device was planted outside the GOP headquarters’ doorway around 1 a.m. Sunday and was ignited around 5 a.m.
Graffiti reading “ICE = KKK” was spray-painted on the side of the building as well.
Though no one was inside at the time, Barela said she fears for the “safety of [her] staff” in light of a wave of violent protests sweeping the nation.
She called on Democrats to “come to the table and work together” to fix New Mexico’s crime problems instead of “calling out for violence and destruction.”
Authorities are now investigating the incident as a hate crime, though officials have yet to determine an exact cause or motive, local outlet KOAT-TV in Albuquerque reported.
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Leger Fernández said in a statement to the outlet, “Political violence of any sort is unacceptable, including this attack. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Every American should be able to freely and safely participate in our democracy.”
The Democratic congresswoman condemned the act of violence again, telling the Santa Fe New Mexican her town hall emphasized “the importance of showing respect and listening.”
“It is a ludicrous leap to twist encouraging democratic participation, calling your representatives and showing up at town halls into an insinuation of violence,” she said, per the outlet.
“The Republican Party’s accusations are themselves dangerous and the ultimate disrespect to our political process. They distract from the real work of bringing people together to build a better future,” she added.
CHAMA, N.M. – The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad will begin its summer season on Tuesday, June 9, after the railroad delayed its opening due to drought and wildfire danger.
The season was initially set to begin on May 23. The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission said it would conduct a review on June 2 to determine if it was safe enough to begin operations.
“A sincere thank you to all our passengers and the communities in Chama and Antonito who have been so patient as we waited for conditions to improve,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. “We are excited to welcome guests back aboard and hear the opening whistle signal the start of another memorable season.”
The railroad will hold a Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, June 13, in Chama. The celebration will coincide with Chama Western Heritage Days, a community festival that weekend with live music, vendors, and rodeo competitions.
The railroad recently won USA TODAY’S poll for the best scenic train ride in the country. In celebration of the win, the railroad said passengers who book by June 7 ca receive a 25% discount on coach tickets for trips through August. Guests must redeem the offer by calling the railroad at 888-286-2737 using promo code USATODAY#1.
Tickets are also available for the first Dark Sky Train departures on June 12 from Chama and June 13 from Antonito. The dark sky trains include evening excursions led by international dark sky guides, and take passengers to secluded spots with minimal light pollution.
Native Vote 2026
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Laguna Pueblo woman is the front runner to be New Mexico’s next governor.
Shortly after polls closed Tuesday night, Deb Haaland was declared the winner over Bernalillo County district attorney Sam Bregman in the state’s semi-open Democratic Party primary. As of 11:00 p.m., Haaland carried support from 72% of the Democratic primary voters to Bregman’s 28%, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
“We’re showing everyone that a better future in New Mexico is possible,” she told supporters gathered in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town Plaza. “New Mexicans want a leader who will stand up for working people, and who is ready to take on Donald Trump. I proudly accept your nomination as a Democratic nominee.”
Haaland spoke for 13 minutes, at times through a scratchy throat that required her to pause for water breaks. “Excuse me, I’ve been talking with voters all day,” she said while grabbing a water bottle before hitting her campaign stump notes on affordability, health care and public safety.
She will face Republican Gregg Hull, a former mayor from suburban Rio Rancho that won his party’s three-way primary with 47% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the New Mexico Secretary of State.
Haaland will be the Democratic Party nominee in a state dominated at every level by Democrats, and is expected to be heavily favored in the general election. With that insight she said her campaign message does translate to Republicans and Independent voters.
“We want our kids to thrive. We want our kids to have a quality, public education. We want every New Mexican to have health care. Everybody wants to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and everybody wants to be able to afford to put a hot meal on their table every night and have a roof over their children’s heads,” she said. “Those issues transcend whatever political spectrum we’re trying to slice and dice people into.”
Shortly after the race was called, Haaland campaign staff, major donors, surrogates, and their families walked from a building on the west side of Albuquerque’s Old Town Plaza to the historic plaza core, where the Haaland campaign had set up a stage and reserved the entire plaza for its victory celebration.
“We are now witnessing history in the making,” New Mexico state Rep. Derrick Lente (Sandia Pueblo) said to supporters immediately after Haaland was declared the winner.
Denise Wilie (Dine) also joined the celebration of Haaland’s victory. Wilie said she worked on get-out-the-vote efforts with the Native American Voters Alliance in McKinley County.
“It just is so exhilarating to even think about, a woman and a Pueblo woman,” she said. “Indigenous all the way, is how I feel. I’m like, yes, let’s get more of our voices.”
Haaland was introduced by her two sisters and walked to the stage escorted by a mariachi band.
Speaking to reporters after the event Haaland reflected on voting for a Pueblo woman (herself) for governor.
“I got emotional, quite frankly, when I went to vote for myself because you do that when you’re a candidate,” she said. “We’ve never had a Native American governor in New Mexico. We’re a multicultural state. I think representation matters, especially in a political era such as this one. So, I’m really proud and honored to carry on the legacy of my ancestors, who worked so incredibly hard to make sure that I had a place here today.”
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