2026 Election Challenges Loom Large for RPNM
RPNM Must Embrace a Bold Vision for Future Success
The Challenges Ahead:
On November 9, 2016, the day after Donald Trump was elected President, I spoke with our pollster in Washington. I asked him what Trump's victory meant for our 2018 election. He responded that historically, the party out of power experienced an improvement following the election. 2018 was a challenging year for New Mexico’s Republicans.
Donald Trump swept all the swing states in his march to the White House in the fall of 2024, while the RPNM continued to flounder, remained locked out of Congress, and maintained minority party status in the state Legislature. Most concerning was the number of registered Republicans, which dropped from 432,389 in 2022 to 413,337 in 2024.
The Democratic Party of New Mexico is preparing for 2026. Senator Ben Ray Luján states, “I have a proven track record of working with Democrats and Republicans to get things done for our state.” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's efforts were highlighted in the Latin Times, headline: “New Mexico Governor Pushes Tough-On-Crime Laws As Violence Surges in The State.” Attorney General Torres shifts to the center in the Albuquerque Journals, “It's time we place victims' rights on par with defendants' rights.” Mayor Tim Keller outlined his strategic plan for Albuquerque, which addressed the housing crisis and homelessness and reduced crime through targeted investments.
Despite the Republican State Central Committee’s delegates electing new leadership at their state convention in December 2024, the Old Guard casts a shadow over the RPNM. They have recycled the same old failed plans: register more Republicans, recruit better candidates, raise more money, better organization, and the same old leaders.
A Bold Vision for the Future
It begins with the RPNM adopting the preamble of the National Republican Party (NRP)
The Preamble of the National Republican Party
“BE IT RESOLVED, That the Republican Party is the party of the open door. Ours is the party of liberty, the party of equality, of opportunity for all, and favoritism for none.
It is the intent and purpose of these rules to encourage and allow the broadest possible participation of all voters in Republican Party activities at all levels and to assure that the Republican Party is open and accessible to all Americans.”
As winter comes to a close and before the harsh winds of late spring arrive, the Republican Party of New Mexico elects new delegates with the intent and purpose of encouraging and allowing the broadest possible participation of all voters in the Republican Party. Once the new delegates have been elected, the Republican Party of New Mexico holds a special State Central Committee Convention to establish a path forward independent of the past.
Letting go of the past and embracing an unknown future takes courage and faith. But doing anything else guarantees another two years of misery for our state.
If you believe the Republican Party of New Mexico needs a new direction, please forward this article to the RPNM State and County Leaders and the Republican State Senators and Representatives.
I agree with your every word, Mick! I sent my proxy vote to the last convention to vote for you as chair. What is the definition of stupidity? Doing the same thing & expecting different results. I’m done with the RPNM!!