Former President Donald Trump’s announced visit to Albuquerque Thursday has been met with both excitement and derision from notable local politicos.
Trump, campaigning for a second term, is due to stop at CSI Aviation near the Albuquerque International Sunport between rallies in Wisconsin and Nevada.
The Republican Party of New Mexico is billing Trump’s visit as reflective of New Mexicans’ growing frustration with Kamala Harris and “all Democrats,” including U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich and U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, each of whom is seeking reelection.
Two of the highest profile Republican candidates on the ballot, U.S. Senate candidate Nella Domenici and House District 2 candidate Yvette Herrell, did not respond to requests for comment Tuesday, but will reportedly be in attendance.
While New Mexico Republicans at large are confident that Trump has a chance at winning New Mexico, Steve Jones, the Republican candidate for the District 1 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, said the Albuquerque stop is a head-scratcher, given the number of swing states in which Trump and Harris are vying for electoral votes.
“Visiting New Mexico may not be the best use of his time,” Jones said.
Jones said he’ll attend the rally if possible and that he said he has sent the state Republican Party and the Trump campaign notice of his availability.
“Any time a national figure visits New Mexico — especially in the last week of the campaign — shows a degree of respect,” he said. “It’s a surprise, but it’s appreciated.”
Heinrich’s campaign blasted Domenici’s possible appearance at the event.
“By standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Donald Trump — a racist and misogynistic convicted criminal who threatens the foundation of our democracy and wants to strip Americans of our fundamental rights and freedoms — Nella Domenici can no longer claim with a straight face that she is an independent thinker,” Heinrich campaign manager Brad Elkins said. “With her disastrous campaign on life support, this is a desperate attempt to latch onto Donald Trump’s extreme, dangerous agenda, hoping it will carry her over the finish line. But New Mexicans will see through it.”
The Party for Socialism and Liberation plans to protest outside the event. Member Cynthia Rodriguez said it’s important to challenge Trump’s policies and keep him from returning to the White House.
Rodriguez said Trump’s plans for mass deportations would damage the U.S. economy to the tune of “billions, if not trillions.”
However, she said, protesters also plan to take to task the Democratic Party, which has been ineffective in helping working families and has shown no desire to stop arming Israel as the war in the Gaza Strip continues.
The visit comes as the city still holds an unpaid invoice from Trump’s previous presidential campaign. Mayor Tim Keller says the city is owed more than $200,000 in personnel and security costs.
Registration for tickets to the rally is available here. Tickets will be provided on a first come, first served basis.
Sunport Spokesperson Diana Lopez said the event is not expected to impact commercial flight operations. She said those who registered for the event should receive detailed information directly from the Trump campaign on directions and parking. The Isleta Amphitheater, 5601 University Blvd SE, will be providing shuttles from its parking lot to CSI Aviation, Lopez said.