Democrats’ notion of their party as the big tent is suffering as hard line progressives target moderates in the primary.
It’s been widely reported that progressives have primaried every state representative who voted against the family and medical leave bill. They’ve reportedly raised millions to help their candidates.
Jeff Apodaca, son of late Gov. Jerry Apodaca, wants to help moderates, a worthy goal.
A businessman, he’s behind The New Mexico Project, a new anti-progressive effort that’s raising money to support moderates in the June 4 primary. But as he did five years ago, Apodaca takes a decent idea and adds baggage.
In 2018, when he ran unsuccessfully for governor, Apodaca promised to create 225,000 new jobs, an astonishing number; normal job growth then was around 11,000 jobs a year. To accomplish this he proposed taking a chunk of state permanent funds, which would have reduced money flowing to the state’s general fund. The idea didn’t catch on.
The New Mexico Project says in its advertising: “Our political landscape in New Mexico has been increasingly divided by the far-left progressives and the ultra-right pulling us in opposing directions.”
No argument there.
The ad continues: “But there’s a powerful force waiting to be unleashed – the moderate Latino voter. We are the majority.” The project asks Hispanic moderates of both parties and independents to come together to support candidates.
Why not open the movement to everyone? New Mexico has lots of moderates who aren’t Hispanic but who find their ballot a choice between extremes. Apodaca said the top issues for Hispanic voters are the doctor shortage, crime, jobs and education. Lots of people feel that way.
“Progressives have been attacking Latinos and electing candidates in the last three elections that do not reflect our communities,” he told political blogger Joe Monahan. “They are attacking our Latino candidacies, culture and legacy.”
I haven’t seen any such attacks.
Apodaca is missing an opportunity to enlist many more voters. His current approach, says the Santa Fe New Mexican, is divisive.
Candidates listed on the project website include incumbents Rep. Patty Lundstrom, D-Gallup; Rep. Marian Matthews, D-Albuquerque; Rep. Harry Garcia, D-Grants; Rep. Ambrose Castellano, D-Las Vegas; Willie Madrid, D-Doña Ana; Sen. George Muñoz, D-Gallup; Sen. Pete Campos, D-Las Vegas; Sen. Bill O’Neill, D-Albuquerque; Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque; and Sen. Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque.
Rep. Jared Hembree, of Roswell, and Nicole Tobiassen, an Albuquerque newcomer, are the only Republicans so far.
A candidate tailor made for the project is former Sen. Clemente Sanchez of Grants. A banker and businessman, Sanchez took a moderate line in his district, which straddles Cibola, Valencia, McKinley and Socorro counties. Sanchez distinguished himself by forging a compromise on the minimum wage bill, which passed. Progressives outsmarted themselves in 2020 when they ran an opponent against Sanchez in the primary, who won only to lose in the general election to a Republican. They’re trying to do the same thing this year.
Apodaca claims he’s raised nearly $1 million from New Mexico, but The New Mexico Project is a 501(c)4, so it doesn’t have to report to the government. He estimates that since 2018 progressives have raised more than $6 million through four 501(c)(4) organizations, with 83% of these funds coming from cities like San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C.
Most of the progressive funding reportedly comes through Amanda Cooper, daughter of former U.S. Sen. Tom Udall and a political consultant. Cooper managed campaigns for her dad and was an aide and fundraiser for former Gov. Bill Richardson. In 2015 Ballotpedia called her a top influencer.
I hope Apodaca widens his focus and that The New Mexico Project is successful. The erosion of moderates in government leaves us at the mercy of extremes and their all too familiar standoffs and gridlock.