8-29-2023 4:46pm

State Democratic Party Suspends Operations of Otero County Democratic Party

Chris Edwards Editor

State of New Mexico Democratic Party Suspends local Otero County Party operations

Breaking News. The Democratic Party of New Mexico has suspended all official activities and operations within Otero County.

As previously reported the Democratic Party of Otero County has been under oversight and investigations of local party leadership are continuing.

Since March a variety of allegations have been lodged at the local Otero County Democratic Party leadership under the direction of Jeff Swanson and then transitioned to the newly elected chairwoman, Brianna Martinez. Investigations and allegations have stemmed primarily around SCC, CCC member and former chair of the election screening committee, Mathew Crecelius. Allegations of misconduct, hostility, harassment and libel have been claimed as initiated by Crecelius and then covered up by local party leaders.

Under the direction of Brianna Martinez a series of sanctions and disciplinary actions were taken against a former chairwoman, Nadia Sikes, and several other long time party activists that opposed the election of Ms. Martinez.

Complaints were filed at the local level by several Democrats, one a prominent former NCAA award winning coach only to be dismissed and laughed at by local party leadership.

As a result several complaints escalated to the state party. The hostility and continued harassment of party members has continued online by Mr Crecelius claiming his first amendment right to hostile conduct. Several women in the organization have resigned, stepped back or removed themselves from participation due to the ongoing controversy and hostility.

The Democratic Party of New Mexico has since then stepped in, temporarily assisted in meetings but hostilities continued between various factions.

A decision was made to suspend most meetings and that on 8-29-23 a virtual meeting would take place led by state leadership.

Since that announcement an NEW announcement was made today, explaining that all Democratic Party meetings and activities are suspended in Otero County until further notice.

“August 29, 2023

Dear Otero County Democrats,

It brings us no joy to write this letter. As of Tuesday, August 29, 2023, the Democratic Party of New Mexico will be suspending all Democratic Party related activities in Otero County. We are canceling tonight's Executive Committee meeting. This suspension of DPNM sanctioned activities such as regular Democratic Party of Otero County general meetings, executive committee meetings, ward meetings, DPOC committee meetings, etc., will continue until the open investigation concludes. After the investigation concludes, DPNM will determine next steps.

It is unfortunately clear that the DPOC organization at this time is unable to function productively. In recent months, interpersonal conflicts have superseded our shared primary objective of voter outreach and electing Democrats in Otero County. As Democrats, we encourage respectful disagreement and dialogue while building community. Conflicts between members have reached boiling points multiple times and we will not put people's health and safety at risk.

We will not take new complaints lodged at members during this suspension, since all DPOC party activities sanctioned by DPNM are to cease immediately. We will work directly with Otero County Democrats who wish to contact voters and help elect Democrats and we can help put those Democrats directly in touch with campaigns.

As Democrats, we support our local elected party leadership and validate their positions. This should not be interpreted as a message directed to the DPOC Chair, Vice Chair, ward chairs, etc. I myself am unable to navigate the multiple conflicts and can only imagine what it is like for DPOC leadership at all levels. At the conclusion of the suspension, I will work with all elected members on holding meetings and navigating disagreements within the organization in a productive way.

Otero County faces many challenges that we will only be able to take on with party unity. While DPNM can provide the tools and training to take on those challenges, commitment to party unity is in the hands of each and every member.

Thanks,

Sean Ward

Executive Director

Democratic Party of New Mexico ”

This letter comes on the heals of the date of August 29th which is the date all candidates must register in order to participate in the local municipal elections and school board elections. This action by the Democratic Party of New Mexico has no impact on a candidate’s ability to run or register but does not bold well for the local party leadership on this important day.

Concurrent to this announcement an guest editorial by a ward member was submitted to AlamogordoTownNews.com questioning an incident that occurred at the DPOC headquarters and he surmised; “There are no positive leadership traits here, only negative traits.”

AlamogordoTownNews.com reached out to the Otero County Clerks office to verify a party suspension of activities would have no impact on candidates running? Her response was; “We are totally separate from Party Organizations. We run elections by State statute and have basically nothing to do with state or Local organizations.“

So to summarize the elections will move forward but the Democratic Party of Otero County has an official organization has suspended operations under direction from the state Democratic Party of New Mexico.

Stay tuned their internal investigations continue as does our community reporting at KALHRadio.org and AlamogordoTownNews.com