Commentary: DPNM State Treasurer Resigns Amid Controversy, Whats Next for New Mexico's Political Parties?

America's founding fathers warned against the dangers of factionalism, fearing political parties would become more loyal to their agendas and self preservation than the nation. Today, with bipartisanship seemingly extinct, it feels their fears were warranted. The party's have become mired in defining what makes a party loyalist. A loyalty test is a requirement for accession. 

The ideological chasm between Democrats and Republicans appears vast. The right decries the left as socialist; the left derides the right as fascist. From cable news to social media, political discourse is toxically tribal. The chasm within both organizations is equally ferocious. Some Democratic Party loyalists claim moderates are not progressive enough.  Some Republicans suggest if you are not of Trumpian theology then you are not a true Republican. 

Infighting destroyed the Otero County Democratic Party that is now rebuilding after an expulsion of toxic leaders and mediation. Infighting has peaked its head into the state party leadership per recent news reports.

The state treasurer of the Democratic Party of New Mexico has resigned. In an article By Daniel J. Chacón of the Santa Fe New Mexican that can be reached at dchacon@sfnewmexican.com reported that per Julie Rochman the elected state treasurer, she had a rocky relationship with the elected chair, Sara Attleson from day one.

Per the Santa Fe New Mexican article, Rochman, however, accused Attleson and Crawford, who ran for the top two leadership positions as a slate, of fostering a culture of exclusion. She said it quickly became clear to her the new executive officer team wasn’t going to be united.

“I was being ignored by the chair and vice chair,” she said, adding she didn’t even know weekly staff meetings were taking place.

Other highlights of the resignation is the NDA that state party leaders are required to sign. Ms. Rochman inferred that it is punitive.  She claims the NDA per the reporting "contained a nondisparagement provision she believes was meant to push her out. She described it as a gag order reminiscent of Republican President Donald Trump."

While many individuals dislike the idea of NDA's they are typical in business and political environments and a standard practice for most professions and professional organizations in our modern era of a litigation dominated society. Any major institution that does not have an NDA policy in place sets itself up for failure and abuse from disgruntled former associates.

A concern that Rochman has raised is the executive officer team fails to represent the state’s majority-Hispanic population. While that may be true, each officer was elected by a majority of the eligible electorate of party members, thus the leadership contest some would argue was selected based upon the best possible candidate nit necessarily identity politics. Note Crawford the Vice Chair is African American, and the newly elected secretary, Brenda Hoskie, is Diné.

One must ask does the Democratic Party leadership shape itself with the best possible candidates and leaders, or does it allow identity politics to drive the agenda and continue to lose members to independent and alternative parties?

2026 will see different outcomes to partisan elections given the recent open primaries legislation signed into law by the Governor.

Both Democratic and Republican parties would be better served to listen to constituent concerns, push aside extremism and reengage those moderates who have become frustrated with the party machinery.

Party machinery has a tendency to alienate moderates and independents. The lessons of the most recent election was not a mandate for any party but a statement

36% of eligible potential voters nationwide or 89 Million people did not vote.

Mr Trump won 77.3 million votes and Mrs. Harris had 75 million votes. None of above had a larger number of votes.

New Mexico followed the national trend with 66% of eligible voters voting and 34% did not vote. 

If parties, both Democratic and Republican are going to again gain the confidence of the voters,  then party infighting and inclusiveness of diverse ideas and opinions must become the focus. 

Related state Party Chair responds...

https://2ndlifemediaalamogordo.town.news/g/alamogordo-nm/post/306684/dp…

We look forward to seeing the upcoming municipal elections in 2025 and the impact of open primaries in 2026. Stay tuned...

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