STERLING, Va. — Stumping for the Harris-Walz ticket in Virginia on Monday, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said that her state is running a de facto “Underground Railroad” for abortion services since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

The Democratic pol said that 75% of abortion services performed in New Mexico are on out-of-state patients, and described the situation in her state as an “underground operation.”

“We literally now have an underground operation, not unlike something we’re all familiar with, the Underground Railroad, to try to make sure that we get to women and their families early,” the gov told the crowd of about 30 at the Northern Virginia Democrat Headquarters.

She also shared the grim reality of many patients who traverse New Mexico’s “underground railroad,” adding: “Sometimes if we save their lives, we’ve also ruined any opportunity for them to have a child of their own when they’re ready to have a child of their own.”

Still, she says her state is a “bastion for safe, fair reproductive access around the country.”

Lujan Grisham also shared that her state has put up billboards in Texas — where 71% of the New Mexico’s out-of-state abortion patients come from — to recruit more doctors from their neighbor to the east to practice medicine in New Mexico.

“If you’re a health care practitioner, why would you practice here if you’re sworn to protect the lives of your patients? If you want no interference, come to New Mexico,” the gov said.

Alicia McFadden, a 44-year-old mother of two was in attendance Monday, and told The Post she showed up because of her passion for supporting reproductive rights. 

“My baby is an IVF baby, and we’ve seen. I’m from Alabama, so I’ve seen very first-hand people who do not have access and have their access to IVF limited. So I’m very passionate about IVF and paying for IVF. Luckily, we could afford IVF, not easily, but we could afford it, but there are a lot of people that can’t afford IVF, especially in Virginia.”

Asked about Trump’s recent endorsement of IVF practices, especially noting that the treatments would be free under a second Trump term, McFadden said she “that’s not true, I don’t believe it.”

“Reproductive rights, abortion and IVF is right there together. Many times you have embryos that you transfer, and for whatever reason that you may not take, they may take, but then there’s some issue, and you need to have access to abortion.” McFadden told The Post. “So you can’t have one without the other.”

Abortion was a major topic of discussion in Tuesday’s presidential debate, in which the candidates sparred over the hot-button election issue.

Former President Trump reiterated that he believes in abortion exceptions in cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother, and applauded the overturn of Roe v. Wade for returning the policy decisions to the states and their voters.

Vice President Kamala Harris claimed that Trump would sign a federal abortion ban into law, which Trump disputed as a lie. The veep would not answer whether she’d back any restrictions on abortion access, even in the eighth or ninth month of pregnancy, when pressed by both the moderator and Donald Trump.

University of New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier brings an exciting style of player to the field against the Auburn Tigers this Saturday. In the unfriendly confines of Jordan-Hare, the Lobos quarterback aims to make the raucous crowd sit on their hands and start booing the Tigers. 

Granted, Auburn should dispatch New Mexico with relative ease and little worry. Yet, people felt the same way about California and that went completely out the window. To win this game and right the ship, Auburn must a find a way to bottle up the dual threat passer early. If not, the Tigers will endure a long, very unpleasant day on The Plains.

Athletic Makeup

Standing five-foot-ten and weighing 200 pounds, Dampier does not strike an imposing figure on the field. The first word that describes the New Mexico sophomore is comfort. Dampier just looks relaxed in the pocket, even with the rush breathing in his face. 

Toughness remains an intangible quality that presents itself on the field. Dampier will stand in the pocket to deliver a pass, regardless of who bears down upon him. Despite the smallish frame, he does not show an ounce of reticence with throwing the ball down the field. The ball shows surprising pop and location. 

Moreover, Dampier will shift the pocket to obtain a clear view of his receivers. Meanwhile, the other half of Dampier’s talent palette, his running ability, should sit at the top of Auburn’s concerns. Although tough enough to barrel through the A gap, Dampier will get to the outside and explode through arm tackles. Singled up on the perimeter versus a linebacker makes life easy for him.

Dampier was a problem in the Lobos loss to the Arizona Wildcats. He threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns without being sacked and added 130 yards and two touchdowns rushing.

Game Plan

Above all else, the Tigers must contain Dampier. Close off the boundaries and stay focused on the side contain. In basic parlance, stay home. If a defender tries to make the play backside, the next time, New Mexico will run what looks like the same play with motion or misdirection. Next, clog the passing lanes. 

Remember, the Lobos list Dampier at five-foot-ten. In reality, figure him standing at five-foot-nine or shorter. By driving the blockers back towards the quarterback, Dampier cannot see unless he takes the snap from a deeper shotgun.

Identically, leave the line games out of the plan. Stunts will create gaps and visibility. For the first time in a while, Auburn actually needs to play conservative and basic. Lastly, get him on the ground. Make sure Dampier hits the ground. While smallish, he possesses good strength to break tackles and create space.

Reality

If Auburn plays smart, they can neutralize Devon Dampier. Now, the word smart remains the important designation. Again, until it becomes consistent: Auburn should win this game. Yet, after a disaster against California, the seed of doubt appears. Auburn’s defense played well enough to beat Cal. Now, they must go further to beat Dampier and New Mexico.