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Bernalillo County Democrats,
This past weekend, our community came together to celebrate Albuquerque’s birthday! It was a moment to honor the culture, history, and people that makes ABQ so special. It’s also a reminder that what makes Bernalillo County strong isn’t just where we’ve been, but how we continue to show up for each other moving forward.
And on a more personal note, today is my birthday! I truly can’t think of a better way to spend it than doing this work alongside all of you :) We are building a stronger Democratic Party and a more connected community here in Bernalillo County.If you’re looking for ways to celebrate and stay engaged, there are plenty of opportunities this week.
Join us this Saturday for our April General Meeting, where we’ll talk about the upcoming primary, share important updates, take questions, and hear directly from candidates. Earlier that day, I also encourage you to attend the Community Voices event at the Rail Yards. As a proud committee member of the newly renamed "New Mexico Si Se Puede Committee", I would love for you all to join a powerful event focused on advocacy, unity, and uplifting the voices that deserve to be heard.
And just around the corner is our Inaugural Spring Gala on May 2nd. This is a major moment for our party to come together, build momentum, and invest in the work ahead. If you want to attend but are concerned about the cost, please reach out. We mean it—people are more important than profit, and we want you in that room. We have only 45 tickets left (meaning we have sold 215 seats so far!!). Act soon! Purchase Now
There’s a lot to be proud of and even more to do. Let’s keep showing up, staying engaged, and moving forward together.
Have another great week,
Jacob Trujillo
Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County
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Today, we take a moment to highlight someone who has lent his time, enthusiasm, and strong guidance to our community - Jacob Trujillo.
As chair of the Bernalillo County Democratic Party, Jacob has led our efforts effectively, guiding our work through some of the most pivotal times for our county, including helping to organize and build our efforts and providing strong and steady leadership to our wards and precincts. Leadership of this caliber cannot develop overnight; it is fostered through countless meetings and conversations, and his steady efforts will only continue to build a stronger community.
We wish Jacob a very happy birthday, and a coming year of tremendous success, health, and continued celebration!
Anyone wishing to send a birthday message can feel free to reach out to: Chair@bernalillodems.org
Here is to another year of strong leadership and dedicated service-may it be as impactful as the last!
Happy Birthday, Jacob!
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Dems Deliver: Albuquerque establishes a permanent African American Advisory Board
While that misinformation spreads nationally, Democrats here in Albuquerque are delivering real, lasting change.
Six days ago, Mayor Tim Keller and City Councilor Nichole Rogers created a permanent African American Advisory Board!!!
This builds on ongoing work to open the door for African American leadership and representation in city government, and now locks it in structurally.
What that means in practice:
- A formal, permanent body to advise on policies impacting Black communities
- Institutional recognition of African American history, culture, and contributions in Albuquerque
- A clear step toward equity in how the city listens, engages, and makes decisions
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GOP Lie: Trump’s false claim about the Pope and Iran
In the middle of the escalating Iran conflict, Donald Trump publicly claimed that Pope Leo XIV said “Iran can have a nuclear weapon.”
That claim was flat-out false.
- Fact-checkers and reporters immediately noted the Pope never said that.
- In reality, the Pope has consistently argued the opposite, warning against nuclear weapons and calling for peace.
This wasn’t just a misstatement, it was a fabricated position used to justify escalation and attack a global religious leader during an active international conflict.
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Every week, we will dive into our party platform, our resolutions, or big topics and take a stand.
Week of April 21st: Ranked Choice Voting
By: Ward Chair Lora Lucero
Ranked Choice Voting – Lessons Learned
Passionate and informed opinions about the Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) measure preceded the decision by the Albuquerque City Council to reject it on April 6th by a vote of 6-3. There are strong feelings about the final vote, and some lessons learned.
Our role as the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County is not to divide, but to build strength that benefits everyone, especially those who have been marginalized and forgotten. That requires:
1) Civility and doing our homework,
2) Transparency and clarity,
3) Respect and passion.
Part of our homework is to consult the adopted DPNM Platform. In the context of the RCV issue, the Platform clearly guides us. “Advocate for ranked-choice voting for all primary and general elections to make democracy more fair and functional.” (Pg. 16) The current iteration of the Platform was adopted in March 2024 and is intended to help us evaluate how closely our elected Democrats adhere to our common objectives. Although some may argue that the Platform is merely aspirational, not mandatory, Democrats should judge whether our elected officials are upholding our Party’s values. If their actions are inconsistent with our Platform, shouldn’t we demand an explanation? Perhaps, a report card should be developed to help Democrats judge how seriously our elected officials (federal, state and city) conform to our Democratic Party’s Platform.
First and foremost, the DPBC must keep our community informed and grounded in facts. Considerable information about RCV has been gathered over the years and we can learn from experiences elsewhere, including NYC and Minneapolis. Danielle Allison, Harvard professor and political scientist, says it is critical that we renovate democracy, including “revamping political institutions to make them more responsive to citizen demands and ensure participation and power-sharing across all communities. Among possible reforms, Allen suggests instituting same-day voter registration, citizen-assembly opportunities for more direct participation in decision-making, ending party primaries, and using ranked-choice voting.”
Neri Holguin, a NM Democratic campaign consultant, co-authored an opinion piece published in the Albuquerque Journal on April 5th sharing her experience about the unintended consequences of the RCV in Santa Fe and Las Cruces. While Holguin opposed the RCV, and Lora Lucero (Chair of Ward 11A) supported the RCV measure in Albuquerque, each communicated with voters and elected officials with civility and respect. Holguin’s perspective was rational as a campaign consultant who wants to win and keep campaign costs low. The current system allows the candidate to target his/her messaging to a slice of the electorate more likely to support him or her. Lucero’s perspective as a Ward Chair was also rational because she wants to enlarge the voter turnout. In an RCV system, the campaign must reach and persuade a much larger share of the voters in order to earn those 1st, 2nd and 3rd spots on the ballot. Lucero believes more voters are likely to engage in the election if candidates have reached out to them. In hindsight, the DPNM Platform should have been spotlighted earlier to help inform the debate at City Hall.
Second, the DPBC must foster transparency and clarity. Bringing sunshine to the RCV issue fosters greater engagement and informed debate. Voters (as well as elected officials) deserve to have a full panoply of opinions and facts so that we can engage constructively in the decision-making process. Everyone's opinion, whether a campaign consultant or a ward chair, adds value to the discussion but voters must understand what motivates the different opinions, and the DPNM Platform must take center stage. In hindsight, on the recent RCV issue in Albuquerque, perhaps discussions with our neighbors earlier in the process might have helped inform decision-makers. Whether in our neighborhoods or at city hall, the DPBC wants to create space for healthy engagement and discussion.
Finally, the DPBC must honor and lift up the community's passion. Whether it’s RCV at city hall, or constitutional amendments and candidates on the ballot, informed voters are typically passionate voters. We want to gather real feedback from the voters and lift up their voices and passion. There are going to be two constitutional amendments on our ballot in November -- Eliminate Governor’s Pocket Veto and Establish Salary for State Legislators. Let's listen to our neighbors and get the pulse in each Precinct and Ward. And let’s center our DPNM Platform in the discussion whenever possible.
| | Talk with us! What are your thoughts? Whether you just have a few sentences or an opinion piece you want to submit, submit it for review at info@bernalillodems.org. | | |
Democrats, we encourage you to submit your events! Events and community announcements are displayed in chronological order with no preference in a Democratic primary.
Event submission deadline: Events submitted after 5 p.m. Friday will not appear in the following Tuesday's Blue Review."
Bookmark our new calendar: https://events.bernalillodems.org/
Be sure to check it for the most up-to-date information.
| Post Legislative Town Hall - April 22 | |
Joint Post-Legislative Session Town Hall
Wednesday, April 22, 6:00 pm
Johnny Tapia Wells Park
500 Mountain Rd NW
| DPBC April General Meeting - April 25 | |
The Bernalillo County Democratic Party invites you to our upcoming April General Meeting – where planning turns into purpose.
Saturday, April 25, 2026
2:00pm-3:30pm
Special Collections Library
423 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM
Zoom link: DPBC Spring General Meeting Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 825 1490 1556
Passcode: 317712
In anticipation of the primaries we will have more than a general meeting; we will have a working session for anyone who will be taking the message into their communities. We encourage everyone who will be out speaking with voters to come. We'll cover information you can bring back with you-important dates for this election, information on the candidates, and anything else you will need in your voter outreach efforts.
Every ward. Every precinct. Every voice matters.
Please let us know if you will be able to make it and which community you are representing so we can make sure there will be appropriate materials available for you. We take the next steps on the path one at a time, and that time is now.
| Join us as we kick off the campaign for Elise Falanga Taylor running in HD23. Meet the candidate, sign up to volunteer, donate what you can, and come spend some time with fellow Dems who are ready to turn Rio Rancho BLUE! | | |
WHAT: Blue Diva Gala 2026
WHEN: Saturday, April 25, 2026
5:30 PM – Reception
6:30 PM – Dinner & Program
8:30 PM – Dancing
WHERE: Isleta Resort and Casino
DRESS CODE: Wear BLUE and bring your inner DIVA! Feathers, hats, and fabulous accessories are encouraged (but optional).
**SOLD OUT**
REGISTRATION:
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/bluedivagala
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Table: $1,000
Platinum: $2,500
Gold: $1,000
Silver: $500
Bronze: $250
Per person: $100
Candidate Booths: $250
Idalia Lechuga-Tena
President | NMFDW
Phone: 505-550-3868
| | Earth Day Festival New Mexico 2026 | Celebrate our beautiful planet and learn how you can protect it in these fraught times! Get your tickets - FREE IN MARCH - to the April 26, 2026 Earth Day Festival New Mexico 2026 at Balloon Fiesta Park! Get FREE advice at the festival to reduce your climate pollution with heat pumps, solar, EVs and other appliances and the rebates that will save you money. Enjoy food trucks, induction cooking demos, pet adoption, kid's poetry, art, and activities, crafts and lots of vendors! | | Time to relax & enjoy great conversations plus yummy food. | | |
Spring is a season for new beginnings, and for us in Bernalillo County it's time to unite, build energy and march into our future.
We invite you to the 2026 DPBC Inaugural Spring Gala: Springing Into the Primary – an evening for a purpose, for connection, and for the energy we will need to embrace our journey. Leaders, community members, and groundroots voices will gather together for a night of dining, motivational speakers and networking that supports the work that is being done in our county.
From our first discussion to our final applause, this gala represents a space for community and the beginning of what is to come.
Tickets starting at $100
This is a room that will quickly fill, but one that you definitely want to be in.
Reserve your spot:
actblue.com/donate/dpbcspringgala
Join the movement, be part of the moment.
| | WSD Anti-Fascist Action Group | | Join us to read and discuss books that deal with various forms of fascism. Through knowledge, we may identify and learn to combat current repressive actions. | | Our Community Our Voice - NE Heights Dems | | |
Every Thursday, the corner of Paseo del Norte & Ventura NE (by Trader Joe’s and Albertsons) becomes more than just pavement — it becomes the people’s pulpit. From Noon to 1 PM, voices rise, signs lift, and hearts unite under one banner: Our Community, Our Voices!
We’re not just protesting — we’re proclaiming.
We’re saying no to tyranny, no to cruelty, and YES to the enduring promise that government of the people, by the people, and for the people shall not perish from the earth.
Bring your passion, your poster, and your presence. Whether you’ve marched a thousand times or never before — this is your moment to stand tall, speak loud, and show that Albuquerque’s NE Heights has fire in its soul and love in its purpose.
Because when neighbors gather, democracy breathes again. 🌹💙
| | Neighbors Against Tyranny Weekly Protests | Tuesdays anti-Trump protests at Juan Tabo and Montgomery NE. Tuesdays is sponsored by Indivisible. | | |
IABQ supports this weekly rally organized by our sister Indivisible group in Sandoval County. Join us Saturday mornings!
WHEN: Saturdays, 10 to 11:30 AM
WHERE: Intersection of HWY 550 and HWY 528 in Bernalillo
**ORGANIZED BY SANDOVAL COUNTY INDIVISIBLE AND SANDOVAL DEMS**
| | Follow us on social media for DPBC updates, local politics info, and fun videos. | | Stay current with what's going on in the party by bookmarking these websites. | | | | |
