Democratic Party of Otero County Suspension Lifted Reorganizing Under State Oversight

Democratic Party of Otero County comes out of suspension by state party and sets the stage to relaunch. In an email from  K.A. (Kathy) McCord, DPNM Internal Party Affairs assistant she announced to party members the intention to relaunch the local party in Otero County New Mexico. 

Highlights of an internal party email state that...

"You might have heard about the troubles that the county Democratic Party had starting in late 2023, which resulted in the county party being suspended for more than a year. The good news is that the current county party Ward Chairs and the Acting Chair participated in a mediation process, which resulted in several positive outcomes:

1. The suspension of the party was removed, and Otero County Democrats are now free to conduct meetings and elections and other Democratic party activities.

2. The Otero County Democratic Party has a new Mission Statement, which will inspire all party members to build a strong, inclusive, respectful county Democratic Party going forward.

3. The mediation team developed some concrete goals & objectives to foster building the new county Democratic Party."

During the rebuilding phase the Democratic Party is working via the leadership of Glen Melton as acting Otero County Chairman to reform the local party structure.

The party announced it has relaunched a new local mission statement...

The Otero County Democratic Party is committed to building a strong, inclusive community. We strive to create a safe space where diverse voices can come together, engage in respectful constructive dialogue, and collaborate for our common goals. Together, we aim to empower people and strengthen our party, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard. We aim to develop electable Democratic candidates.

On January 13th, 2025 the state executive director released the following statement...

Per the resolution passed in May of 2024 by the State Executive Committee of DPNM, the DPOC was suspended until November 30th, 2024. The resolution stated that a mediation between members needed to take place. Members of the DPOC Executive Committee have been meeting since the Summer of 2024 to resolve conflicts within the party and move forward as a cohesive team. The DPOC is now unsuspended. We still encourage the mediation process to continue if necessary.

After a lengthy investigation and trial, the DPNM Committee on Discipline voted unanimously to remove Matthew Crecelius for any involvement with the Democratic Party of New Mexico at all levels of the organization.

The DPOC will be responsible for holding Spring elections: first, to elect Ward Chairs, Ward Vice Chairs, and County Central Committee (CCC) members in the approved eight wards; and second, to elect a County Chair, County Vice Chair, and SCC members in a CCC meeting/election.

Former DPOC Chair, Brianna Martinez, resigned from her position in November of 2024. The current highest ranking officer for the Democratic Party of Otero County is Vice Chair Glenn Melton.

Elections for internal party office occur in odd numbered years. The rules for the Democratic Party of New Mexico specify the general time table for internal party elections. The state party provides assistance, but elections are administered by the county party leadership and the county executive committee. As Democrats, we uphold elections and settle our differences through voting.

We are confident that all Otero County Democrats will work together to fairly run and participate in these elections so the DPOC can move into the next election cycle as a strong and successful county party.

Information has been sent to Vice Chair Melton regarding important dates and deadlines for the DPOC Spring elections, and we will be providing him with more information when we have it ready, as we will do with the rest of our County Chairs and Vice Chairs. We are happy to send the information to the rest of the DPOC Executive Committee as well.

The acting Otero County chairman has issued the attached notice to all Democrats in Otero County outlining the go forward process...

In order for a democracy to operate a strong multiparty system is necessary, we wish each party the best of luck in keeping their houses in order to facilitate the development of a stable and strong democracy locally. 

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