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New Mexico
Political divisions fuel push to have Texas annex part of New Mexico
WASHINGTON — Everything is bigger in Texas, but could the state get even larger? Texas lawmakers have begun exploring whether to annex a part of neighboring New Mexico, where many residents say they would prefer to join the Lone Star State. However, key officials in New Mexico are dismissing the idea.
State Rep. Carl Tepper, R-Lubbock, told Spectrum News that Texans have a lot in common culturally with those from the eastern portion of New Mexico. He said hospitals, companies and universities in his community have many people from there.
“These are oil producers. They’re cattlemen. They’re farmers. They are fiercely independent. They don’t rely on government. Texas is a smaller government state, less regulations, less taxes,” Tepper said. “They feel much closer to us than they do the government in Santa Fe.”
And that is why he believes the Texas Legislature should explore annexing a part of New Mexico.
Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, directed the governmental oversight committee to study the constitutional and economic implications of adding a couple of counties in southeast New Mexico to Texas. The Republican state lawmakers in Lea and Roosevelt counties in New Mexico, just west of Lubbock, have expressed an interest in leaving their state.
In a statement to Spectrum News, Burrows said, in part, “This conversation is ultimately about culture, opportunity, and the right to choose a path that reflects the shared values of the Permian and Delaware basins.”
Tepper agreed. He said it would be “historic” if the Republican-led Legislature could pull it off.
“There’s a vast amount of conservative voters out there. People who are conservative economically, with their faith, and are very frustrated with the core urban high-density areas and the voters there ruling over vast portions of the geographic areas of these states,” Tepper said.
“If we could find a way to essentially liberate these New Mexico counties into Texas, I think we would also be cutting a path for other counties that are frustrated with their centralized governments being overbearing in other states and bringing them over to more conservative states,” Tepper continued.
New Mexico Democrats are dismissing the idea. A spokesperson for the governor reportedly called it “not serious,” and the New Mexico House speaker said on social media, “Dude, over my dead body, man. No way, no way.”
Legal experts said under the U.S. Constitution, not only would New Mexico and Texas need to agree on annexation, but Congress as well.
“It’s very, very hard to imagine winning that trifecta,” said Sanford Levinson, a professor at the University of Texas School of Law. “It’s hard for me to imagine that New Mexico would be delighted to lose this population, even if the Democrats who run the state probably have no love lost for the Republicans who want to leave.”
Levinson said one big reason the idea is a non-starter is that because of the population change under the new borders, New Mexico would likely lose a congressional seat and Texas would gain one.
He added that conservatives in Oregon and Illinois are also looking at leaving their states.
“The polarization that we talk so much about is found as much within states as among states and the United States, that if you look at practically any state in the union, you find these sharp divisions,” Levinson said.
And despite the sharp divisions, new state lines are hard to draw.
5 dogs quarantined after Mountainair exposure, officals to release new info Friday
MOUNTAINAIR, N.M. – Investigators say they could have answers within the next 24 hours about a mysterious substance that killed three people inside a Mountainair home and sickened more than two dozen others.
Officials are expected to provide an update Friday on what exactly caused the deadly incident, which has raised serious questions about exposure risks for both humans and animals.
Growing Impact: From victims to first responders
The incident began Wednesday when four people were found unresponsive at a home after coming into contact with an unknown substance. Two were declared dead on scene, and the other two were given Narcan, resuscitated and taken to UNM Hospital. One of them died after arriving at the ER. Initially reported as an overdose call, the situation quickly escalated.
More than 25 people — including at least 18 first responders — were exposed and required quarantine at UNM Hospital. Most have since been released, but two individuals remain under observation as of Wednesday night.
Mountainair Mayor Peter Nieto said the town’s EMS chief, Josh Lewis, may have been among the most heavily exposed.
“He’s one of the first that went into the residence,” Nieto said. “That’s what we’re thinking — he was the one that got the most of it.”
Lewis was released from UNM Hospital Thursday afternoon and is reported to be doing well according to the Town of Mountainair Facebook page.
Animal quarantine underway
The effects of the mysterious substance have extended beyond humans.
Four dogs that were inside the home are now in quarantine at Mountainair Animal Control, while crews continue searching for a fifth dog.
Staff members are taking significant precautions while caring for the animals.
“We’re wearing all of our PPE just to touch them,” said Jennifer Carter with Mountainair Animal Control. “Right now there are no symptoms. We’re just going to keep an eye on them for the next 10 days.”
So far, all the dogs appear healthy and symptom-free, but officials say they will continue monitoring them closely. If cleared by a veterinarian, the dogs may eventually be put up for adoption unless claimed by family members.
Hospital and community response
At UNM Hospital, dozens of potentially exposed individuals were quarantined as a precaution. While most have now been released, officials say the response is ongoing, with continued monitoring for anyone who may have come into contact with the substance.
The incident has caused fear and uncertainty among those affected — including the quarantined animals.
“They’re grieving, they’re very scared,” Carter said. “They don’t know who I am or the volunteers, so they’re nervous and apprehensive. But we’ll win them over.”
Investigation expands with federal involvement
The case is now being led by New Mexico State Police, with assistance from multiple agencies including Albuquerque Fire Rescue.
FBI agents were seen at the home Wednesday, and officials confirmed that DEA agents conducted air quality testing in and around the property. Authorities have reassured nearby residents that the air is safe.
Key questions remain
With a news conference scheduled for Friday, investigators are expected to provide more clarity. Major questions still remain, including:
- What was the substance that caused the deaths?
- How were 18 first responders exposed?
- Were proper safety protocols followed at the scene?
- What is the current condition of the two remaining patients at UNM Hospital?
Hospital officials are also expected to address their quarantine procedures and safety protocols during the briefing.
The Greater New Mexico AMBUCS works to promote mobility and independence. They do this by giving away Amtrykes to individuals with mobility deficits. Amtrykes are adaptive trikes that can be modified and customized to meet the specific needs of these individuals.
The New Mexico chapter started in 2025 and works to cover the whole state.
They have an upcoming event called Spikes for Trykes. The event is June 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4511 Paseo Del Norte NE Albuquerque, NM 87113.
To learn more, visit www.gnmambucs.org.
Adrian HeddenEl Rito Mediaachedden@elritomedia.com Duke Rodriguez planned to tap into his experience as a state cabinet secretary and healthcare executive should he be elected governor of New Mexico. Rodriguez, 68, is chief executive officer of cannabis company Ultra Health, New Mexico’s largest, which he founded in 2012. He was named chief operating officer of Lovelace […]
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