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Mar
13
2026
PRESS RELEASE
NM GOP Convention Wrap-Up: On-brand with Grifts & Infighting
NM GOP Convention Wrap-Up: On-brand with Grifts & Infighting
Last Saturday, the Democratic Party of New Mexico held its Pre-Primary Convention at the Inn of the Mountain in Mescalero Apache Nation. Coincidentally, the Republican Party of New Mexico (RPNM) Convention happened to be a 10 minute drive away at the Ruidoso Convention Center. However, it should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with RPNM that their Convention was marked by division and debacles.
🐘According to the NM Political Journal, the RPNM Convention was marked by debacles, arguments, and scheming.
🐘Some of their arguments centered on debating a rule change Amy Barela campaigned for which would allow her to say negative things about other Republicans.
🐘On top of that, RPNM charged delegates $150 to be there! This came after messy infighting caused them to lower the price from $500.
🐘RPNM punished their candidates even more than their delegates. RPNM charged candidates $2000 (or $3000 depending on which candidate you ask) under the ruse of participating in "debates" for a group of insiders who likely already made up their minds. They even charged attendees $50 to watch the “debates.”
🐘Two of their gubernatorial candidates skipped out on the RPNM “debates”/cash-grab.
🐘RPNM initially sent out a notification clearly stating that media was not “allowed” at their “debates” or even at their convention!?!?
🐘After changing their tune on allowing media, Team DPNM heard first-hand accounts that RPNM charged press $50 to cover their convention, forcing impartial reporters or their employers to make a political contribution to do their jobs.
🐘NM Republicans can expect more infighting in coming months, as NM GOP Chair Amy Barela appears to be blatantly violating RPNM rules by running for public office in a contested primary election. RPNM rules require Barela to step down as State Party Chair, however Barela appears to have no plans to do so. You won’t see DPNM complaining about Chair Barela keeping her position within their party in violation of the rules.
Although the RPNM convention was just up the street from ours, theirs told a different story. Republicans can’t even run a convention without grifting folks for money or messy debacles, no wonder New Mexicans don’t trust them to run the state.
The GOP Convention sounds like it was more of a desperate cash-grab than a unifying rally – but we all know that no one can grift like Donald Trump, so it’s not surprising to see them following his lead. With so much disfunction in their party, no wonder they couldn't find candidates who could qualify to run on their ticket for U.S. Senate, State Auditor, and State Treasurer.