Early Voting for the Primary Begins!
A Gala to Remember | | |
Hey Bernalillo County Democrats,
What a weekend.
After months of planning, DPBC hosted its inaugural Spring Gala, and it was everything we hoped it would be. With more than 250 people in the room, the energy was undeniable from the moment doors opened. During the reception, folks connected, took photos, and took a moment to take it all in. It was one of those rare moments where you can truly feel the strength of our Democratic community.
The program carried that same spirit. We heard from 1st Vice Chair Kathy Moseley, Treasurer Deb Michel, and Secretary Daniel Garcia, followed by remarks from Mayor Tim Keller, State Auditor Joseph Maestas, Clerk Michelle Kavanaugh, and DPNM Chair Sara Attleson. We were also joined virtually by DNC Chair Ken Martin, YDA President Fatima Heyward, and Congresswoman Melanie Stansbury.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support you all showed me during my remarks. This work is not always easy, but nights like that remind us exactly why we do it and who we are fighting for.
A huge thank you to our officers and volunteers who made the night possible. We missed 2nd Vice Chair Eric Valdez and wish him a speedy recovery.
Congratulations to Ward Chair Maggie Horan, our Defender of Democracy honoree. And a special thank you to Andy Hamilton, whose long hours and attention to detail helped bring this event to life.
Now, we turn that energy into action.
Early voting at the Clerk’s Annex begins today, and this is where the real work starts. DPBC is already out talking to voters, making sure our neighbors have the information they need to participate. We have set a clear goal to increase primary turnout, and that only happens if all of us step up.
Join our virtual meeting at 5:30 PM to help plan outreach, connect with your ward and precinct teams, and get plugged in. Send us an email for the zoom. Voter guides, candidate lists, and key deadline materials are ready and available.
We built something special this weekend. Now it is on us to carry it forward, reach every corner of Bernalillo County, and make sure our community shows up.
Let’s get to work.
Reminder: The Democratic Party of Bernalillo County (DPBC)'s primary one page guide, with the candidate list on one side and voter deadlines on the other, click the link to get your DPBC Primary Guide. along with business cards and primary date reminder cards are available to assist ward and precinct chairs and volunteers in voter education. Please contact your ward chair, Chair Jacob Trujillo (Chair@bernalillodems.org), or Kathleen Moseley (1stvicechair@bernalillodems.org) to pick up your packet.
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Dems Deliver: Fair Maps, Real Representation Nationwide
Across the country, Democrats are raising the standard for how redistricting should be done. Instead of shutting the public out, we are opening the process up, holding hearings, taking community input, and making sure maps reflect real people and real communities.
Democrats believe redistricting should not be about protecting power, it should be about protecting representation. That means transparency, accountability, and giving voters a seat at the table. When people are included in the process, our democracy is stronger and more reflective of the country we live in.
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Another Week, Another GOP Lie
For years, Republicans have claimed to oppose gerrymandering and political manipulation of district maps. They talk about fairness and transparency when they are out of power.
But when they are in control, it is a different story. Across the country, Republican-led legislatures have drawn maps behind closed doors, rushed processes, and diluted the voices of communities to protect their own power.
Even more concerning, some Republican-controlled states are now going back on prior commitments not to redraw maps mid-decade. Instead, they are acting swiftly to reshape districts in ways that weaken and stretch out representation for communities of color, all to lock in political advantage.
They say one thing about fair maps, then do the exact opposite when given the chance.
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Every week, we will dive into our party platform, our resolutions, or big topics and take a stand.
Week of May 5: Political Gerrymandering and Good Government
The Democratic Party of New Mexico’s platform on ethics and elections is grounded in a simple principle: democracy works best when every person has an equal voice and fair representation. That means protecting the right to vote, limiting the influence of money in politics, and ensuring that political systems reflect voters, not the other way around.
A central piece of this vision is ending partisan gerrymandering. The platform calls for an independent, nonpartisan redistricting commission with diverse representation, including Native communities, to draw fair maps that do not favor one party or protect incumbents. The goal is straightforward: elections should be decided by voters, not predetermined by how district lines are drawn.
This stands in contrast to ongoing national debates, where redistricting battles and court cases continue to shape political maps in ways that critics argue dilute voter power or entrench partisan advantage. Across the country, disputes over district boundaries, voting access, and election rules remain at the center of political news, highlighting how consequential these systems are to representation.
Beyond redistricting, the platform emphasizes broader reforms, including overturning major campaign finance rulings, increasing transparency in political spending, expanding early and accessible voting, and strengthening ethics laws for public officials. Together, these policies aim to reduce barriers to participation and restore public trust in government.
At its core, the platform reflects a belief that democracy requires constant attention and reform to ensure it remains fair, inclusive, and accountable to the people it serves.
https://www.nmdemocrats.org/issues/ethics-elections-and-politics?source=f0721b46-6929-4f00-8090-b5eb9b203f36#block-958edce8-ea61-4685-9155-900f85cdb0d5
| | 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. | |
An Op-Ed for Abby Foster for NM HD-27
By Julie Rochman
I’m a progressive Democrat, because progressive Democrats believe that every human deserves a fair chance at a good life. Period. No matter where you come from, how old you are, who you love, what you believe, how talented you are, what language(s) you speak, or what color your hair, eyes, skin or flag may be.
Real Democrats consistently stand up for everyone’s fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and peaceful assembly; full bodily autonomy; not being disadvantaged based on who you are; broad access to personal and professional opportunities; getting a well-rounded, useful education; access to quality healthcare; clean air and water; good-paying jobs; and living without fear of being asked for your “papers” or being rounded up for deportation or worse.
Like so many other volunteers in ABQ and around the state, I have gladly given time, energy and money to candidates who step up to run, who show up to do the work alongside volunteers and advocates, and who stand up for what matters to New Mexicans. Sadly, not all elected officials do show up. Some also don’t work with fellow Dems to advance healthcare and work-related policies that could make a huge, beneficial difference to their constituents. Those Dems deserve to be primaried and tossed out of office.
To that end, I’d like to bring a particular progressive Dem candidate to your attention this spring. That candidate is Abby Foster, who is running in HD27 to unseat Rep. Marian Matthews. It is hard to beat an incumbent at any level, but this is a race Abby must win if New Mexicans want to see progressive values supported in HD27. Abby is a lawyer, an activist, a mom, and a professional advocate for vulnerable children and adults. She is a problem-solver. Her platform planks include affordable housing, child well-being, safe/quality public schools, healthcare access, caring for Veterans, securing workers’ rights, clean energy, gun safety, and many other core progressive values.
Abby is working very hard to win the primary, having knocked on over 1,000 doors, and speaking with voters in a variety of ways. I’ve watched her at the doors with constituents, listening intently and engaging energetically. She is smart, funny, and passionate about doing good work. She truly cares and feels compelled to do public service. She literally stops and smells the roses and other flowers popping this spring as she goes from house to house. Unlike her opponent, Abby will show up. Abby will do the work. Abby will vote in favor of legislation to improve the lives of New Mexicans.
Her opponent has not shown up. In fact, she has missed more votes than any other member of the NM House. She single-handedly stopped paid family and medical leave for working New Mexicans. She regularly votes with Republicans. It is time for her to move along and be replaced by a true progressive Dem. Please join me and many others in supporting Abby Foster for HD27 - with your vote, with your energy, with your money, and in your conversations with other Dems. Let’s keep NM moving forward and upward together. Let’s make sure Abby Foster is the HD27 Dem candidate this coming fall.
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Support Jacob Trujillo for Public Education Commission D-3
By Jacob Trujillo
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Public education is under attack across the country, and New Mexico cannot afford to sit this moment out. From efforts to weaken public schools to attacks on educators, students, and local accountability, the stakes are real. That is why I am running as a declared write-in candidate for Public Education Commission District 3.
The Public Education Commission plays an important role in New Mexico’s education system, especially when it comes to charter school oversight. I know this issue personally. I attended a charter school here in District 3 from 6th through 12th grade. I understand the opportunities these schools can create, and I also know that opportunity must come with strong accountability, transparency, and a commitment to serving every student.
For nearly five years, I have worked as a congressional staffer in Albuquerque, helping constituents navigate government, access resources, and get answers. I also serve as Chair of the Democratic Party of Bernalillo County, where I have worked to build stronger community engagement and invest in organizing across every corner of our county.
This race is different because it is a write-in campaign. In order to move forward, I need at least 1,000 voters to write in Jacob Trujillo on their primary ballot. If we meet that threshold and win this race, we can break the Republican majority on the Public Education Commission.
That means voter education is everything. We need flyers, mailers, texts, and direct outreach to make sure voters know this race is on their ballot and know exactly how to write in my name.
I am asking for your support. Please write in Jacob Trujillo for Public Education Commission District 3, and consider contributing to help us reach the voters we need to win: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/jtpec3
Pledge your support here:https://forms.gle/PB6m8otrHpnkYdhZ6
Together, we can defend public education and put students, families, and accountability first.
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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: The Blue Review is published weekly every Tuesday. Your event will appear in two Tuesday editions of the Blue Review preceding its scheduled date. In order To appear on any given Tuesday edition of the Blue Review, an event notice must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the preceeding Friday.
Bookmark our new calendar: https://events.bernalillodems.org/
Be sure to check it for the most up-to-date information.
| | Gathering in the Park Hosted by Ward 28 D | | Invitation to Voters in Wards 28 A, B, C, D of NM House District 28 to a Gathering in the Park. It's a social event - a great opportunity to join neighbors and meet Democratic candidates who will appear on the June 2026 primary ballots of the Voters in District 28! | | Get the scoop on NM's new semi-open primaries! Featuring special guest Perry Radford, Deputy Director of NM Voters First and Founder of Rad Philanthropy. Bring your craft of choice & snack to share. Location provided upon RSVP via text to 505-373-0767 | | 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. | | | | |
