By Lauren Lifke Early voting for New Mexico races began on Oct. 7, and the East Mountains and surrounding areas saw more than 1,000 absentee and in-person ballots cast at five different voting locations. As of Oct. 27, more than 500 people have cast their ballots in-person in Edgewood, Moriarty, Tijeras and Estancia. There were […]
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Posted inPolitics & Elections, Sandoval County
Early voting data shows which Sandoval County voters are showing up
Democrats are leading early turnout in Sandoval County ahead of the Nov. 4 municipal election, continuing a trend seen across New Mexico. Since early voting began Oct. 7, 5,262 county residents have cast early or absentee ballots, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. As of Oct. 28, Democrats accounted for 3,069 ballots, followed by […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
Heinrich, Lujan have beef with Trump over beef
New Mexico Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan are among the senators who have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to back away from its plan to increase beef imports from Argentina. Heinrich stated in a press release on Tuesday that he, Lujan and 14 other Democratic senators sent a letter to […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
New Mexico AG sues Trump administration over SNAP benefits freeze
New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez is among 24 state attorneys general taking the Trump administration to court over its plans to withhold Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in November if the government shutdown continues. A lawsuit, which is also joined by the governors of Kansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, was filed Tuesday in the […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov.
USDA: Emergency funds will not be used for SNAP during shutdown
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says emergency funds won’t be used to provide SNAP payments to states if the shutdown continues into November, as Senate Democrats insisted was possible. In a memo released Friday, the USDA blamed Democrats for the nearly 24-day government shutdown and said that money from the contingency funds cannot be […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
Former GOP legislative candidate jumps into Congressional race to oust Vasquez
By Alex Ross — A third Republican has joined the field of contenders vying to take on Rep. Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) next year in a key congressional swing district. Records from the Federal Election Commission show that on Oct. 16, Jose Orozco of Albuquerque filed a statement of candidacy to run for the Republican nomination […]
Posted inCongress & Federal Gov
Heinrich, Luján push back against claims that USDA can’t access funds for SNAP due next month
By Alex Ross — New Mexico Democratic Senators Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan on Thursday disputed claims made by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they lack the funds to cover the cost of next month’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. Heinrich and Lujan were among 45 Democratic Senators who signed […]
Posted inEdgewood
State regulators work to restore water service to Melody Ranch community
State regulators are coordinating with multiple agencies to restore water service to a community that has been without reliable water since June. The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission has been working with Melody Ranch Water Company LLC, state and local agencies and residents to find a permanent solution after the utility’s infrastructure failed, leaving customers […]
Posted inEast Mountains
Community turns out for early voting in East Mountains
By Lauren Lifke Early voting for New Mexico races began on Oct. 7, and the East Mountains and surrounding areas saw more than 1,000 absentee and in-person ballots cast at five different voting locations. As of Oct. 22, more than 500 people have cast their ballots in-person in Edgewood, Moriarty, Tijeras and Estancia. There were […]
Posted inPolitics & Elections
The secret is out: Toulouse Oliver launches bid for lieutenant governor
It’s been one of the worst-kept secrets in Santa Fe, and on Thursday, New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver confirmed the speculation about her ambition by declaring herself a candidate for lieutenant governor. Toulouse Oliver, who spent nearly a decade as the state’s chief elections official, kicked off her entry into the race […]