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June 09, 2026

With The Primary Behind Us, Bern Co Dems Are Ready To Work For Our Candidates

Last Tuesday, June 2, New Mexicans showed up and made their voices heard in the 2026 Primary. As Chair, I’m proud of what our community delivered – solid turnout, clear victories for strong leaders, and a powerful signal that New Mexicans are ready to fight for a better future. Bernalillo County Democrats punched way above the 25% turnout rate with 40% of us getting out and casting a primary ballot!

Primaries are about sharpening our message and choosing our champions. We did that. Now the real work begins.

And as someone who did not have a "perfect ballot" and voted for people that did not win, I understand the feeling of defeat and how hurt you can feel about some candidates losing. That is a valid feeling, but we have to still vote blue no matter who. People's lives and our communities literally depend on the unity we show in November.

Unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means respecting the primary process, then locking arms for the general. It means channeling that same energy from last Tuesday into registration, door-knocking, donations, and turnout. It means no one gets left behind – especially our most marginalized neighbors.

Thankfully, Republicans made it easy to not support them and we have to let ourselves understand that and then bring it to our neighbors.

With Republicans nominating candidates aligned with the same failed, extreme agenda we’ve seen before, division is a luxury we cannot afford. Project 2025-style attacks on public education, LGBTQ+ rights, reproductive freedom, and working people are real threats. The only way we beat them in November is by standing together – progressives, moderates, union members, communities of color, rural voices, urban organizers, all of us under one big blue tent.

Bernalillo County Democrats have always been at the forefront of building that inclusive, fighting party. We’re the ones who show up in ward meetings, government meetings, and community spaces.

Now, I need you to be ready for the challenge. I need you to be ready to promote every single Dem nominee on the ballot. I need you to look around the nation and see what happens when we let Republicans win. I need you to lock in here at home, from Tijeras and Chililli to the South Valley and out to To'hajiilee.

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This work is so important and it starts today.

Adelante, always.

Jacob Trujillo

Chair, Democratic Party of Bernalillo County

Catch Us at Albuquerque Pride – 50th Anniversary! Volunteers Needed!

The LGBTQIA+ Caucus has asked the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County to help spread the word about their participation in this weekend’s Albuquerque Pride celebration.

This Saturday, June 13th, the Caucus will proudly march in Albuquerque Pride — one of the oldest continuously running Pride events in the entire nation — as it celebrates its historic 50th anniversary! Expect a powerful, joyful day filled with music, color, community, and fierce celebration of how far we’ve come while continuing the fight for full equality.

That same energy will be on full display this weekend. The Caucus warmly invites everyone — allies, friends, family, and community members — to walk with them and the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County in the parade!

Parade Details for Walkers:

- Arrive at the Caucus float along Central Ave near Girard by 9:30am

- Float theme: “50 Years of Pride” — bright, colorful, and easy to spot!

Immediate Needs for Albuquerque Pride this Saturday:

- 6 folks to help carry the large rainbow flag (rotated so no single person carries it the whole time)

- 4 wheel watchers (to help keep the group safe and moving smoothly)

Questions or want to get involved? Reach out directly to the Caucus at lgbtqiacaucus@gmail.com

Firearm Safety

“Show Legislators the Support!”

By Kathleen Moseley, 1st Vice Chair, Bernalillo County Dems

Democrats believe in limiting the influence of corporations over politics, right? Or do we really? If we do, then show the legislators!

One of the overarching NM Democratic platform tenets is to limit the influence of corporations over politics. A classic example, of course, is the influence of gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association, deeply intertwined, on firearm safety policy. The National Rifle Association is basically a trade association masquerading as a shooting sports foundation. During the last two sessions, the mislabeled “Defend America” advertisements mobilized members to advocate against the semiautomatic firearm restrictions creating fear of the “slippery slope” and “taking all your guns away” despite all current semiautomatic firearms being grandfathered in. This is a typical example of corporate influence over the New Mexico state government that we Dems need to call out!

During the 2025 session, I sat in my Republican legislator’s office to express support for a bill with a similar intention-restricting the sale of future semiautomatic firearms and high capacity magazines. While waiting in the office I heard a call come in to my Senator’s staffer. She deflected the call to Democratic legislators. The call was a typical call heard from a Republican sitting on a couch, listening to NM local media channels owned by Trump supporting Republican leaning corporations that use Republican leaning advertising firms, blasting out ads sponsored by “Defend America.” As my legislator’s staffer shared, many callers did not even know what the bill was about. I did some research and found “Defend America” was funded primarily by remaining PAC money from a retired Republican legislator in Alabama, Richard Shelby who founded the Political Action Committee, Defend America. Should New Mexico citizens accept potential collateral damage of murdered and wounded New Mexico retired nurses, teachers, policemen and children, shot blocks away from the shooter, and/or with hundreds of bullets before reloading, by legally purchased offensive AR15s so gun manufacturers can avoid an economic downturn because of a heavily saturated market? I don’t think so! Show them you don't think so!

“As documented by the Violence Policy Center’s (VPC) two “Blood Money” studies, the NRA has received tens of millions of dollars from its gun industry “corporate partners”, who do most of the NRA’s lobbying against the very bills that the gun sense majority supports. Among the industry members who have given a million dollars or more to the NRA are Remington Outdoor Company (formerly Freedom Group), Smith & Wesson, Beretta USA, Springfield Armory, and Sturm, Ruger & Co. as well as accessories vendors MidwayUSA and Brownells. (https://vpc.org/investigating-the-gun-lobby/blood-money/

After our last legislative session (2026) I heard from a number of legislators advocating for the semiautomatic firearm and high capacity magazine restrictions, built into the anti-crime bill, SB17, “Stop Illegal Gun Trade Act and Extremely Dangerous Weapons.” Legislators said, “Though Dems SCC members voted for the firearm safety resolution with 88% approval rate, we did not hear enough from those advocates. We heard instead from the opposition in large numbers.” Dems may have assumed that legislators would simply support common sense gun legislation, but clearly, they need to hear from advocates in large numbers in order to have the confidence and courage to vote yes on this legislation.

There will be many issues of corporate influence that we will need to speak up against, including utility ownership, Amazon’s impact on independent main street businesses, corporate control of our media, etc… Let's begin with an issue directly and immediately impacting our own physical safety and that of our children! I will be writing to every SCC member to contact their legislators requesting support for this and a variety of firearm safety legislation next session beginning with interim committees. If you are an SCC member please watch for my letter. If you are a Bernalillo county Dem Resolution Committee member, be looking for a request from me. If you are a Bernalillo county Dem, be looking for a request from your SCC member to make the voices of our wards and precincts and voters heard on this issue of corporate influence. Better yet, don’t wait for my letter, start with a visit to your legislator’s new office or a conversation with their legislative aide now. Ask support for any and all firearm safety legislation listed in our resolution! Show legislators your strong support now during the interim committee period. Feel free to call me with any questions!

Kathleen Moseley RN MS

1st Vice Chair, Bernalillo County Dems, email: 1stvicechair@bernalillodems.org

Democrats, we encourage you to submit your events at: https://bernalillodems.org/events/event-submission/.

Events and community announcements are displayed in chronological order with no preference in a Democratic primary.

• Event submission deadline: Items must be submitted by 5 pm on Friday to appear in the next Blue Review Newsletter.

• Your Event Submission will appear in up to 2 Editions of the Blue Review Newsletter prior to your event date.

Bookmark our new calendar:https://bernalillodems.org/events/

Be sure to check it for the most up-to-date information.

Recurring Events:

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 New Time for Summer 10am to 11am, 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

Resist Tyranny Tuesdays

4th and Lomas, Noon to 1 PM

**Summer Hours Begin May 5, 9 to 10 AM**

Main area is at Metro Court side and then spread to other corners and along Lomas Blvd. We’ll see you there!

And, remember: Resist Tyranny Tuesdays are peaceful rallies. Be safe and LISTEN to our Peacekeeper Team in the bright yellow vests. You’re fighting for our democracy. Do not engage with counter protestors, notify a Peacekeeper member instead. Please attend at your own discretion.

Resist Tyranny Tuesday In Sandoval County

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**

Stay current with what's going on in the party by bookmarking these websites.